BMW Sales Powered By SUV Surge Uptick 2.9% In March

Top-selling vehicles in March included the BMW X3 and BMW X5 Sports Activity Vehicles, along with the all-new BMW 3 Series sedan, the core of the BMW “Ultimate Driving Machine” brand, and the BMW X7 Sports Activity Vehicle, both in their first full month of sales. 

“March’s results are due to the success of our U.S.-built Sports Activity Vehicles, the outstanding sales of the BMW X3 and X5, and the incredible reception from our customers to the X7 and brand new 3 Series,” said Bernhard Kuhnt, president and CEO, BMW of North America.  “We are pleased to finish Q1 on a positive note, thanks to the arrival of so much exciting new product and the strength of our dealer network.” 

Sales of the BMW X3 reached 6,727 units in March, once again making it the best-selling BMW in the U.S.  The BMW X7 had a very strong introduction in its first month on showroom floors, selling 2,186 units. 
 

BMW Group Electrified Vehicle Sales

BMW Group sales of electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles totaled 1,147 in March 2019, a decrease of 55.7 percent over the 2,588 sold in the same month a year ago.  Model changeover has limited the current BMW Group electrified lineup to five models including the BMW i3, BMW i8 and i8 Roadster, BMW 530e, and MINI Countryman plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. Plug-in hybrid variants of the BMW X5, the all-new BMW 3 Series and updated BMW 7 Series recently debuted at the Geneva International Motor Show.  These models and a plug-in-hybrid variant of the BMW X3 will begin sales in the U.S. at a future date.

MINI Brand Sales

For March, MINI USA reported 3,769 vehicles sold, a decrease of 16.8 percent from the 4,531 sold in the same month a year ago.

BMW Pre-Owned Vehicles

• BMW Certified Pre-Owned sold 10,858 vehicles, a decrease of 6.9 percent from March 2018.
• Total BMW Pre-Owned sold 23,536 vehicles, an increase of 3.7 percent from March 2018.
  

MINI Pre-Owned Vehicles

• MINI Certified Pre-Owned sold 1,238 vehicles, an increase of 10.3 percent from March 2018.
• Total MINI Pre-Owned sold 2,849 vehicles, a decrease of 5.8 percent from March 2018.

ilovecar2015 - 4/2/2019 2:23:10 PM

+5 Boost

All the X crossovers did wonders for BMW.

cidflekken - 4/2/2019 2:37:35 PM

+5 Boost

Boom. X7 bringing in strong numbers, as is X3. We'll see how long this maintains once the initial hype of the X7 dies down.

mre30 - 4/2/2019 3:54:56 PM

+5 Boost

2,200 X7's, very impressive.

mre30 - 4/2/2019 3:55:37 PM

+3 Boost

When is the refreshed 750i on sale?

scenicbyway12 - 4/2/2019 5:52:17 PM

+3 Boost

"When is the refreshed 750i on sale?"

Two to three months.

MDarringer - 4/2/2019 6:53:29 PM

0 Boost

The 750 will NOT be a big sales draw.

GermanNut - 4/2/2019 9:18:56 PM

+2 Boost

It will be very interesting to watch how the new X7 impacts sales of the 7-Series. Even if 7-Series sales decline, the number of X7 sales will likely be far greater than the decline in 7-Series sales resulting in a net positive for BMW.

Overall, this is a good start for BMW relative to Mercedes-Benz's and Audi's sales declines YTD in the U.S.

MDarringer - 4/2/2019 9:25:42 PM

0 Boost

The X7 will decimate the 7 Series for sales.

mre30 - 4/3/2019 8:00:36 PM

+1 Boost

Rich people want one or the other (or just buy both).

7-Series sales are down because of the 'Cadillac Effect' (the old folks who used to buy them are either dead or no longer care to drive or else can't work the electronics).

Though I'd say the group of oldest male BMW buyers were buying 6-series (which probably did the most damage cannibalizing 7-series sales). I'm not sure they move up to the 8-series (they can't fit!)

cidflekken - 4/3/2019 11:19:28 AM

0 Boost

Early reviews that I've seen of the new 3 Series aren't promising. They aren't bad, per se, but not the "old new 3 Series" everyone was hoping for. And I absolutely hate the design of BMW's new instrument cluster. Yes, it would be a dealbreaker for me because I couldn't stand looking at it while driving all day/night.

Hawk - 4/4/2019 9:02:36 AM

+1 Boost

Saw a new 2020 330i on the 401 in the Toronto area a few days ago and was surprised how good it looks. I think they'll sell a ton of them if they get the pricing right.