BMW Group U.S. Reports All Time Record First Quarter

[Jason]

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BMW Group U.S. Reports All Time Record First Quarter

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BMW Group U.S. Reports All Time Record First Quarter

03.04.2012

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – April 3, 2012… The BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) reported March sales of 29,806 vehicles, an increase of 13 percent from the 26,382 vehicles sold in the same month a year ago. Year-to-date, the BMW Group (BMW and MINI combined) achieved its best first quarter sales since the record year of 2007 retailing 75,729 vehicles, up 16.6 percent compared to 64,957 vehicles sold in the first three months of 2011.

“The 1st Quarter record affirmed our increasing sales momentum and shows that customers feel more confident about the future,” said Ludwig Willisch, President and CEO, BMW of North America. “The year is still young and BMW alone will introduce in 2012 more new and refreshed models in the U.S. than it ever has before in any one year making us strongly optimistic about the months ahead.”

BMW Brand Sales

Sales of BMW brand vehicles increased 18 percent in March for a total of 23,940 compared to 20,295 vehicles sold in March, 2011. Year-to-date, the BMW brand is up 17 percent on sales of 61,549 compared to 52,616 sold in the first three months of 2011.

In March, best performing vehicles included the X5 SAV up 41.3 percent to 2,841 units; the 5 Series, up 21.4 percent to 5,451 units; the 6 Series, up 1,050 percent to 759 units and the 7 Series, up 24.6 percent to 1,280 units.

BMW Pre-Owned Vehicles

In March, sales of BMW used vehicles (including certified pre-owned and pre-owned) increased 10.2 percent to 16,278 vehicles from the 14,773 vehicles sold in March 2011. January through March, BMW used vehicle sales are up 5.4 percent on volume of 41,351 compared to 39,214 in the same period of 2011.

MINI Brand Sales

MINI USA reported sales of 5,866 automobiles in March, a decrease of 3.6 percent from the 6,087 sold in March 2011. Year-to-date, MINI achieved its best first quarter sales since the record year of 2011 retailing 14,180 vehicles, up 14.9 percent compared to 12,341 vehicles sold in the first three months of 2011.

[Maz335i]

Awesome!!!

[DUI Elite]

haha guess that means prices won't be going down anytime soon

[bimmerjph]

I think BMW's obsession with sales/increasing profits are going to bite them in the ass someday like it did Toyota and GM. I hope to God I am wrong, but that is what usually happens when a company chases after sales.

[TheBingoBalls]

Originally Posted by bimmerjph

I think BMW's obsession with sales/increasing profits are going to bite them in the ass someday like it did Toyota and GM. I hope to God I am wrong, but that is what usually happens when a company chases after sales.

I don't know if they're really chasing sales. Prices have increased but people keep buying them knowing there are better value cars out there. BMW is in the same situation as Apple. No matter what they do, people will keep buying. As with every quarterly report, I'm interested on comparing what Mercedes and Audi did for the same quarter.

I have a feeling next quarter is going to be huge with the F30 sales.

[bimmerjph]

Originally Posted by 宝马.e90

I don't know if they're really chasing sales. Prices have increased but people keep buying them knowing there are better value cars out there. BMW is in the same situation as Apple. No matter what they do, people will keep buying. As with every quarterly report, I'm interested on comparing what Mercedes and Audi did for the same quarter.

I have a feeling next quarter is going to be huge with the F30 sales.

Well they have this obsession with have 2 million sales a year.

It doesn't seem like their sales have increased that much since the F30 has been launched. I wonder why that is.

[Fraggy]

They are charging a hefty premium for their name. No 328, regardless of options should cost $50,000. It's no where near that cool of a car. When I got my new 335 4 years ago it was only $48k.

[TheBingoBalls]

Originally Posted by bimmerjph

Well they have this obsession with have 2 million sales a year.

It doesn't seem like their sales have increased that much since the F30 has been launched. I wonder why that is.

They want sales, I'm not going to argue that, but BMW AG definitely isn't doing anyone favours in trying to get those 2 million sales. Like Fraggy posted, a 50k 328? Even a BMW fanboy would say that's ridiculous. But even with the premium, it's not stopping anyone from buying a BMW.

As for the sales and the F30 (I forget the actual release date of the F30), say it was released mid-end of February, that would only be a month worth of sales and that's when people were still deciding whether or not they should opt for the F30. With all the reviews out now, potential consumers should have a better idea of the F30. I'm sure the Q2 sales are going to be big with the F30 being a factor. I would be very surprised if it didn't happen with the BMW's trend in sales the last few quarters.

[jzcrna]

Originally Posted by Fraggy

They are charging a hefty premium for their name. No 328, regardless of options should cost $50,000. It's no where near that cool of a car. When I got my new 335 4 years ago it was only $48k.

The price of my 2012 335i is the same as my 2008 335i. The technology of this one blows the 2008 away in all aspects. Plus it looks 200% better.

[Fzara2000]

A couple things. -

1) We are talking sales here. I wonder what the profit per model was compared to prior periods in order to assess profitability. I'll guarantee you profitability is declining for certain models, especially due to sweeter lease deals on models approaching the end of their life cycle (such as the X5)

2) While the 328 and 335 are seeing large price increases, this is due to more options which are available which appears to be driving up costs. Additionally, development / part costs are seeing increases due to inflation. In these circumstances, BMW will have it's biggest advantage by manipulating lease prices. Still, I don't think we will see an explosion of sales for the F30 due to mediocre lease deals as the result of dealers which are still trying to get rid of their 2011 inventory.

3) In regards to the F30, BMW really needs to reevaluate the available options on their cars in order to avoid unwanted inventory nightmares for its dealers. 328's without xenon lights, really? And three different lines compounded by a bunch of options for those lines.

[M3_WC]

Originally Posted by Fraggy

They are charging a hefty premium for their name. No 328, regardless of options should cost $50,000. It's no where near that cool of a car. When I got my new 335 4 years ago it was only $48k.

They also have good values like the X1 finally coming to the US. Basically the price of a 128i, but you get a lot more car. But yes some of their models do have a hefty premium. For example the new 6-series, it is just flat out overpriced. 769 units is low volume even for a somewhat niche car, especially for a brand new redesign. I have a family friend that works at a large volume BMW dealer, he said they expected to move more 6er units. He has a couple cars that have been sitting on the lot for some time.

[jon328i]

Nice numbers!

[datbimmerdoe]

this's remarkable, if u ask me.

[Diver]

If they are making so much money they should pay all of the owners a dividend.

[avsbmw]

BMW keeps setting new records. This is great!

[carlosalbertogui]

Originally Posted by Diver

If they are making so much money they should pay all of the owners a dividend.

agree they should give Us free of charge inspection.