[BMWBIASED]

Unfortunately it seems that this new business strategy is starting to take shape in real numbers. Very curious to see May's figures. For the first time in my brief "adult" life I will be cross shopping models for my wife's next car. While I love the brand for the most part, blind loyalty when very little is reciprocated as of late does not make sense.

[CaliE90]

For all the whiners and complainers

http://www.autonews.com/article/2017...slump-drags-on

[Cl0ud7]

Originally Posted by Jz

For all the whiners and complainers

http://www.autonews.com/article/2017...slump-drags-on

Alfa killing it!!!

[bavarian19]

I have been a longtime supporter of BMW. When I need to throw down a chunk of change for my next car, it better have character and performance. Aside from M models (and even those fall partially guilty), BMW sells soulless cars now.

Enthusiasts are a small percentage of the market, but serve as an extension of the marketing of a brand. Unless you are going to throw down 60k+ on an M car, BMW does not care about enthusiasts anymore.

[bavarian19]

Originally Posted by Cl0ud7

Alfa killing it!!!

Alfa's at least offer something unique with character. Unfortunately, the aspiring german Toyota does not.

[InsideMan]

Originally Posted by Sman

Yeah I wonder why they are dropping the AARP discount.

My guess is because there are some dealerships who used it on 100% of their deals. It's expensive.

[Matski]

Originally Posted by bavarian19

Alfa's at least offer something unique with character. Unfortunately, the aspiring german Toyota does not.

What is unique about an Alfa? And what does Daimler AG have to do with this?

[firedown31]

Originally Posted by Sman

Yeah I wonder why they are dropping the AARP discount.

Anyone could sign up and get that discount (for a small fee), once that starts it's longer a selective "discount" but becomes an auto $1500 discount everyone is entitled too. Obviously BMW doesn't like that.

[823BMW]

Originally Posted by bavarian19

I have been a longtime supporter of BMW. When I need to throw down a chunk of change for my next car, it better have character and performance. Aside from M models (and even those fall partially guilty), BMW sells soulless cars now.

Enthusiasts are a small percentage of the market, but serve as an extension of the marketing of a brand. Unless you are going to throw down 60k+ on an M car, BMW does not care about enthusiasts anymore.

You need to drive a base M2 with a manual ~53k. Quite frankly, the 230i with a M Sport package in a manual at ~37k also qualifies.

[GetSoM5]

Originally Posted by 823BMW

Auto sales have risen steadily for the last years in the US and they are likely hitting a peak. Many automakers are worried about losses from high residuals given on leased vehicles when they come back because used values are going to take a hit. The changes BMW has made recently in leasing are likely in anticipation of this:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/artic...-used-car-glut
Also, 57% of BMWs are leased, so the exposure is significant:
http://blog.caranddriver.com/the-mos...nly-purchased/

Car sales down in US for all brands

[Ghetto2315]

Originally Posted by Kief

I must have missed this additional blow! When is this to take affect? BMW is in for a wake up call from us loyal enthusiasts with all these changes!

The $1,500 to $500 Fleet Corporate lease incentive decrease goes in to affect on June 1st. (My bulletin does not say anything about the $2,500 purchase/finance incentive being decreased)

Any ordered cars marked Priority 1 Sold before June 1st will still be honored but must take delivery by August 31st.

Also - the M2 no longer qualifies for the Fleet Corporate incentive.

[823BMW]

Originally Posted by GetSoM5

Car sales down in US for all brands

Agree, they are down for the first quarter because they have likely hit their peak.

[kozzi]

BMW of North America LLC sales are down 2.8% YTD...

Goodbye cruel world...

[raysspl]

If Mini really reduced all that fakery of black plastic cladding, it could perhaps increase their sales

[doug_999]

Originally Posted by kozzi

BMW of North America LLC sales are down 2.8% YTD...

Goodbye cruel world...

BMW NA Passenger cars are down almost 10% for the year (9.6%) Mini is worse, but heck, we are a BMW board here

And as pointed out, other car sales are down, except... I think MB's CAR sales are up almost 4% and Audi CAR sales are down about 5% for the year.

so I would argue that BMWs cars are being hit harder than its competition. Of course lots of variables at play including limited availability of the 5 series.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/merce...164700556.html
https://media.audiusa.com/en-us/releases/164

[M3 Number 86]

Originally Posted by doug_999

I don't think most people even know what a MSD is so I doubt it will have any effect.

it's american beer right? yeah, I'll pass. lol

[NickyC]

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2017-0...mmer-shutdowns

I for one am shocked. Whoever would have thought stagnant wages and over priced automobiles would cause a plateau in sales? I guess low interest car loans, fleases, and 8 year notes just aren't enough for your average debt slave American anymore. I suggest 10 year car loans and government subsidies to every consumer who wants to purchase a brand new $70k truck or a $55k 3 series. Every person with a 401K should also be forced to invest in automobile debt backed securities, because stock market 21k and it's only up from here! What a complete joke, just another huge bubble that's primed to blow.

In other news, Tesla continues to burn through cash as any advantage they had over bigger rivals continues to dwindle as they get up to snuff on electric cars. Hopefully for Musk's sake he has a friend in Trump and US tax payers again!

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2017-0...model-3-launch

[The_M_Way]

Hey folks, many automakers announced weak performances this year so far. Macroeconomic factors are also at play.

[basiluf]

Originally Posted by M3 Adjuster

BMW group sales YTD is down a mere 2.8%... so I wouldn't go too far out on that limb...

Except that this is based on 2016 numbers, which were down almost 10% from 2015. Any drop is significant.

[AIRPOWER]

I think TRUMP is to blame for all this.........

[rainfall]

VW/Audi is killing it. Why?

Also, as "rare" as Golf R is, it's still keeping up with demand pretty good. Golf Sportwagen is selling like bottled water in the beach. Still trying to understand the facts

http://media.vw.com/release/1377/

https://www.volkswagenag.com/en/news...sales_Apr.html

[MilehighM3]

Originally Posted by rainfall

VW/Audi is killing it. Why?

Also, as "rare" as Golf R is, it's still keeping up with demand pretty good. Golf Sportwagen is selling like bottled water in the beach. Still trying to understand the facts

http://media.vw.com/release/1377/

https://www.volkswagenag.com/en/news...sales_Apr.html

VW is killing it as people buy new ones when they're forced to sell their TDIs back. There about 8,000 cars in a large field in storage in our area alone. That number grows by the truck load daily. Meanwhile the Porsche Cayenne TDI is quietly being bought back and stored quietly as well.