Apocalypse NOW! - BMW Sales Nosedive 14.8% In July

“Sedans made something of a comeback in July even as the dog days and summer vacations had their effect on the pace of business,” said Bernhard Kuhnt, President and CEO, BMW of North America. “The new BMW 5 Series continues gaining as availability improves. The highly popular BMW X3 is now undergoing model changeover and we are looking forward to the market launch of the all-new model later this year.”

BMW Group Sales

In total, the BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) reported July sales of 26,363 vehicles, a decrease of 13.7 percent from the 30,551 vehicles sold in the same month a year ago. Year-to-date, BMW Group sales are down 5.5 percent on sales of 197,654 vehicles in the first seven months of 2017 compared to 209,131 in the same period in 2016.

MINI Brand Sales

For July, MINI USA reported 4,398 automobiles sold, a decrease of 7.9 percent from the 4,774 sold in the same month a year ago. Year-to-date, MINI USA reported a total of 26,603 automobiles sold, a decrease of 11.1 percent from 29,918 automobiles sold in the first seven months of 2016.
 

BMW Pre-Owned Vehicles

• In July, BMW Certified Pre-Owned sold 11,857 vehicles, a decrease of 0.2 percent from July 2016.
• Total BMW Pre-Owned sold 20,956 vehicles, a decrease of 7.8 percent from July 2016.
• Total BMW Pre-Owned cars sold year-to-date were 140,607, a 15.7 percent increase from the first seven months of 2016.

MINI Pre-Owned Vehicles

• In July, MINI Certified Pre-Owned sold 1,015 vehicles, a decrease of 15.2 percent from July 2016.
• Total MINI Pre-Owned sold 2,656 vehicles in July 2017, an increase of 1.0 percent from July 2016.
• Total MINI Pre-Owned sales year-to-date were 18,308, a 12.4 percent increase from the first seven months of 2016.

GermanNut - 8/1/2017 2:15:01 PM

-1 Boost

I wonder what has to happen for BMW to realize a fundamental rethinking of its entire model lineup is needed. How far do sales have to fall? Is it 10%? 15%? Is it position-based?

I can't imagine how senior BMW North America executives can look at the continuous monthly data and not conclude a massive change is needed.

3-Series down 39.9% on the month and 20.1% YTD?
6-Series down 40% on the month and 25.2% YTD?
7-Series down 31.7% on the month and 25.4% YTD?
Brand new 5-Series up only 12.4% on the month and still down 10% YTD???

Did BMW really miss the mark that badly on its new 7-Series where sales are off 25.4% YTD and even the brand-new 5-Series hasn't stopped a double-digit YTD drop.

If the new 3-Series is anything like the new 7-Series, it could easily spell complete disaster for BMW.

carsnyc - 8/1/2017 3:33:48 PM

0 Boost

The fact that the 3-series be doing so bad speaks volumes of the trouble BMW is in. The 7, on the other hand, has never been an indicator of anything for Munich.

mre30 - 8/1/2017 3:39:03 PM

0 Boost

Things are dire for BMW. This all harks back to the first 'flared nostril' BMW - the 2014 X5/X6.

Its a terrible look that needs to be ditched.

BMW should really jettison the 'twin-kidney' grill or else shrink it. It does not work with 2018 design aesthetics.

The 'twin-kidney' is BMW's equivalent of the Lincoln/Continental/Mark trunk tire hump. Its obsolete and needs to go.

NewQ - 8/2/2017 12:25:08 AM

+1 Boost

It's true, the 7-Series has never been a harbinger of BMW's fortunes, no matter how well-executed it is; it's not top of mind for the company or its reputation. That's why the S-Class will always outsell it, and will always be the king of the segment in the minds of most people, regardless of how good the 7-Series is. Everything hinges on the 3-Series for BMW, likewise for the S-Class and Mercedes.

I don't know about changing the double kidney angel eye look though. BMW has had a much more specific design language and corporate face for much longer than many other automakers. Mercedes for example is very beautiful right now, but their long-term design language has been generalized enough that they can make lots of changes without disrupting the brand look. It's very possible BMW could come up with something very good, but the shock to the market would be too much to bear, in my estimation. It seems to me there's enough flexibility in the design still to evolve with the times; look at the difference between the 7-Series and the i8.

MDarringer - 8/2/2017 8:20:57 AM

-1 Boost

Are you really dumb enough to say this: "Did BMW really miss the mark that badly on its new 7-Series where sales are off 25.4% YTD and even the brand-new 5-Series hasn't stopped a double-digit YTD drop."?

Because the obvious answer to everyone and for some time now is YES.

ilovecar2015 - 8/1/2017 4:09:45 PM

+3 Boost

I actually think the new X3 will help BMW a lot. X5 is too expensive for what it is, and it is dated.

Next gen 3-series has to be big to save BMW.

5-series is forgettable, but again, this segment, even the new E is struggling.

malba2367 - 8/1/2017 4:16:28 PM

+3 Boost

At this point the only reason to "buy" the vast majority of BMW vehicle (with the exception of M240, M2, M3, M4) is heavily incentivized leases. There is a portion of the population (mainly concentrated in the NY/NJ/CT and So cal areas) who will lease BMWs over other makes despite the cars no longer being competitive as long as the rates are good.
BMWs inline 6 is probably the finest motor in the class but the rest of the car including the styling, interior and even driving dynamics/ride quality have fallen behind the competition. Hopefully the G20 3 series will be a huge move in the right direction; if not BMW will have some big issues as the totally redesigned 5 series and X3 are not anywhere near enough to right the ship.