BMW doubles Australian M3 Coupe sales through first six months (compared to E46 M3)

[Jason]

The all-new E92 BMW M3 Coupe may have just recently hit the U.S. market, but that car has actually been on the Australian market for six months now. And, according to the initial sales report, the new car is twice as popular as the previous generation E46 M3 Coupe in the land of Oz.

BMW has announced that it has sold 263 M3 Coupes during the first six months the car has been on the market in Australia, compared to just 132 examples of the E46 M3 Coupe during its first six months on the market.

“We have been blown away by the level of passion and excitement our customers have expressed for the new M3 Coupe,” said Tom Noble, BMW General Manager, Marketing.

Not a huge overall #, but goes to show you that pundits who say the E92 M3 isn't getting as much attention as the E46 M3 early in their respective releases could be premature in making such statements, at least when it applies to Australia.

[umwolverine]

That's funny. I keep reading these threads that say the new M is not selling. Hmmm, I guess the people that are posting those threads don't know what the F they are talking about. What a surprise.

[E394KEN]

Thats in Australia, not in the states. In Southern California used BMW's are outpacing new car sales by a huge margin. Many new M3's are available for immediate delivery mostly sedans but with coupes as well. Funny enough my wife asked me to trade in my old E46 M3 for a used M6. The car I believe was about 70K a 2006. Sooo for about the same money I could get a new M3. Dilemas..

[Epacy]

Good read!

[jm1234]

Originally Posted by Jason

Not a huge overall #, but goes to show you that pundits who say the E92 M3 isn't getting as much attention as the E46 M3 early in their respective releases could be premature in making such statements.

If BMW was picking a bellwether country to tout strong worldwide sales why Australia (no offense to the Australians)? Was the initial release in Australia (I don't know)? What story do the sales figures from Europe tell?

Personally, I'm hoping M3 sales are good because I've got a price and good sales means more widespread support. I'm also curious if these are just coupe sales or if they are coupe plus sedan. (I know, I'm a skeptic )

[Big Windy]

I'd be curious in the changes in population...

[monsta]

thats great, I can't wait to see the US #'s

[swamp2]

Originally Posted by E394KEN

Thats in Australia, not in the states. In Southern California used BMW's are outpacing new car sales by a huge margin. Many new M3's are available for immediate delivery mostly sedans but with coupes as well. Funny enough my wife asked me to trade in my old E46 M3 for a used M6. The car I believe was about 70K a 2006. Sooo for about the same money I could get a new M3. Dilemas..

Isn't the ratio of used to new a bit of a red herring?

Agreed Australia may have a different ratio of new E92 M3 to new E46 M3 but you are not providing and data on So Cal. nor US ratios. I think once we start hearing some numbers from the US it will show the car is selling fine.

[KonigsTiger]

+1 Swamp.

[uhn2000]

The new M3 coupe/cab/sedan will sell just fine. You can't even get a coupe or cab here without special ordering it. I am not too worried about the US sales as you guys are going through a slow period right now and once things turn up you are going to see all luxury manufacturers #s go back up. Owning a BMW has never been more affordable then in today's society and with the tech sector allowing younger individuals to make good $$ it only makes demographic sense that this generation of M3 will surely out-perform its previous rendition.

Joe

[Kiss335i]

Well, we can't tell that the M3 is not selling as the E92 Coupe, but when they start selling the 335i Coupe, it was impossible to find on in the show room for over 6 month after the release at all the dealers in Quebec...there's 1 M3 in the show room and 5 more in the garage!

[Big Windy]

Originally Posted by Kiss335i

Well, we can't tell that the M3 is not selling as the E92 Coupe, but when they start selling the 335i Coupe, it was impossible to find on in the show room for over 6 month after the release at all the dealers in Quebec...there's 1 M3 in the show room and 5 more in the garage!

well, it does cost a little more $$$$

[Pancho]

It seems Aussies are taking advantage of high commodity prices.

[aggie57]

Originally Posted by jm1234

I'm also curious if these are just coupe sales or if they are coupe plus sedan.

Currently the only model available here is a 6MT Coupe, released last October. The sedan is due end of the year, the DCT in June and the convertible some time this year (can't recall exactly when).

Current Australian population is 21.2 million. In the 2001 census it was 18.7 million, so has increased 13.4% in that time.

It's true that there has been a huge resource boom in that time but that is largely concentrated in 2 states, Queensland and West Australia. Car sales generally have been on the up with over 1 million new cars sold last year, a record.

[markymarc1979]

Isn't the American economy is a recession? Or at least heading in that direction? Anyways, wouldn't a recession hurt their sales?

[KonigsTiger]

Sales would probably be hurt at least a bit I think.

[rai]

Originally Posted by markymarc1979

Isn't the American economy is a recession? Or at least heading in that direction? Anyways, wouldn't a recession hurt their sales?

yea, Google went up 20% today, the sky is falling

[gPiplay]

Originally Posted by rai

yea, Google went up 20% today, the sky is falling

Hmmm, after plummeting almost 350 points since january

M3's are selling quite well at my local dealer, but they have many new m5's and m6's from 07' that arent sold yet. They've even reduced their prices by as much as 20% on most of them, so I dont know whats going on with buyers.

[Davinhci]

the car will sell, no doubt.

[M2381]

nice!

[OzStriker]

So BMW were aiming for 10,000 sales in the USA i think?

In Oz 500 cars/yr 20,000,000 people = 1 per 40,000.

In Usa 10,000 cars/yr 300,000,000 people = 1 per 30,000.

Not bad for Oz considering the high purchase price.

The sedan arrives here 12/08, it will be really interesting to compare numbers with the C63.

[adamr]

went to the dealer today ... they have a 335i coupe, 335i sedan, 330i cab, M3 sedan, M3 coupe and M3 convertible DCT on their lot ... the ///M is a great car and i think it has more to do with the way the economy here currently is and that is affected by the USA in many ways ... guess the world is affected by economic conditions in the USA ... dealers are def feeling the pinch over here