[Jason]

BIMMERPOST NEWS

BMW Group U.S. Reports July 2016 Sales

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• BMW brand sales decrease 4.4 percent
• MINI brand sales decrease 8.0 percent

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – August 2, 2016… Sales of BMW brand vehicles decreased 4.4 percent in July for a total of 25,777 compared to 26,970 vehicles sold in July, 2015. Year-to-date, the BMW brand is down 8.4 percent in the U.S. on sales of 179,213 compared to 195,593 sold in the first seven months of 2015.

Notable vehicle sales include the BMW 7 Series which increased 31.3 percent, the BMW 2 Series which increased 66.1 percent, and the BMW X1 which increased 79.1 percent.

“The volatility that has characterized the 2016 sales year was clearly evident in the beginning of the third quarter,” said Ludwig Willisch, President and CEO, BMW of North America. “As we have seen through the early months of the year, the 2 Series and X1 have acquired a strong following and the 7 Series continues gaining ground. At the same time, the global popularity of our X models continues to constrain our sales here in the U.S.”

BMW Group Sales
In total, the BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) reported July sales of 30,551 vehicles, a decrease of 5.0 percent from the 32,161 vehicles sold in the same month a year ago. Year-to-date, BMW Group sales are down 9.5 percent on sales of 209,131 in the first seven months of 2016 compared to 231,044 in the same period in 2015.

MINI Brand Sales
For July, MINI USA reported 4,774 automobiles sold, a decrease of 8.0 percent from the 5,191 sold in the same month a year ago. Year-to-date, MINI USA reported a total of 29,918 automobiles sold, a decrease of 15.6 percent from 35,451 automobiles sold in the first seven months of 2015.

BMW Pre-Owned Vehicles

• July 2016 sales of BMW Certified Pre-Owned set a record with 11,877 vehicles, an increase of 23.1 percent from July 2015.
• Total BMW Pre-Owned sales also set a record with 22,739 vehicles, an increase of 49.1 percent from July 2015.
• The Total BMW Pre-Owned cars sold year-to-date were 121,506, a 12.1 percent increase from the first seven months of 2015.

MINI Pre-Owned Vehicles

• In July, sales of MINI Certified Pre-Owned set a July record with 1,197 vehicles, an increase of 8.0 percent from July 2015.
• Total MINI Pre-Owned sales also set a July record with 2,629 vehicles in 2016, an increase of 3.6 percent from July 2015.
• Total MINI Pre-Owned sales year-to-date were 16,296, a 5.1 percent increase from the first seven months of 2015.

[Flying Ace]

a good time to pick up a F15 X5, new or preowned.

But really, none of this is new news right? We're coming off of a historically gang buster year in auto sales in the US (I believe we peaked in 2014 or was it 2015?), and they think the entire industry will sell about 1 million less vehicles this year. It's about maintaining marketshare now for each manufacturer.

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-us...-idUSKCN10D1CF

http://online.wsj.com/mdc/public/pag...autosales.html

[DieGrüneHölle]

Originally Posted by Flying Ace

a good time to pick up a F15 X5, new or preowned.

But really, none of this is new news right? We're coming off of a historically gang buster year in auto sales in the US (I believe we peaked in 2014 or was it 2015?), and they think the entire industry will sell about 1 million less vehicles this year. It's about maintaining marketshare now for each manufacturer.

Audi and Mercedes both are hitting sales records. Audi 67th straight sales record, up 4%. Mercedes up 3.6%.

[ZEEM3R]

This is what happens when you sacrifice the heart of the brand (performance) to appeal to the masses.

[Pauleebe]

Even the LCI didn't save the 3 series, hm.

[bodonx]

Originally Posted by ZEEM3R

This is what happens when you sacrifice the heart of the brand (performance) to appeal to the masses.

+1

[chumley]

I would be a bit worried if I were them. With the cheapest leases in the industry they can't even keep sales flat?

I knew they sold out to the masses when our receptionist started driving a 3 - not because it's an engaging ride, but because of the badge and the $3xx/month lease. They've officially ruined any aspirational value to the car and created numerous disincentives for anyone to buy and not lease the car.

At some point hopefully they'll step it up and stop cash cowing the lineup. They really haven't done anything noteworthy in a generation. My wife's X5 was in the shop most of last summer with the only positive being that she had most of the lineup as a loner at one point or another. The X1 is terrible, the 3's were largely uninspired, and the base 528 left me wondering who would pay north of $60K for that. Without the sport package it had a thin, hard, steering wheel, a dull 4 cyl, over-assisted, soulless steering, and switchgear that felt no better than my car. And for the love of god please come up with something other that burlwood buried under 1/4" of clear coat. That was tired in the late '90's!!

At least Merc and Audi had the good sense to step up their game with the C and E classes and A4 after polluting their lineup with decontented entry level cars. You may not love them,but the fit, finish and feel of everything you touch and interact with in something like a C or E should embarrass BMW.

[PawnStar]

Originally Posted by chumley

I would be a bit worried if I were them. With the cheapest leases in the industry they can't even keep sales flat?

I knew they sold out to the masses when our receptionist started driving a 3 - not because it's an engaging ride, but because of the badge and the $3xx/month lease. They've officially ruined any aspirational value to the car and created numerous disincentives for anyone to buy and not lease the car.

At some point hopefully they'll step it up and stop cash cowing the lineup. They really haven't done anything noteworthy in a generation. My wife's X5 was in the shop most of last summer with the only positive being that she had most of the lineup as a loner at one point or another. The X1 is terrible, the 3's were largely uninspired, and the base 528 left me wondering who would pay north of $60K for that. Without the sport package it had a thin, hard, steering wheel, a dull 4 cyl, over-assisted, soulless steering, and switchgear that felt no better than my car. And for the love of god please come up with something other that burlwood buried under 1/4" of clear coat. That was tired in the late '90's!!

At least Merc and Audi had the good sense to step up their game with the C and E classes and A4 after polluting their lineup with decontented entry level cars. You may not love them,but the fit, finish and feel of everything you touch and interact with in something like a C or E should embarrass BMW.

This.

[8042]

Troubling thing is that the lease terms on the 3 series were insane (good) in July and didn't seem to make a mark. That said, the loss is being driven by the x5. But I thing the biggest thing plaguing BMW is an inconsistent innovation/new product strategy. launching something one year is great but what happens the following year when when you cycle the launch? Better have a plan. And if not, the innovation/new product was not a good one.

[scorped]

Of all the car forums out there, there are 3 that are guaranteed to amuse when monthly sales figures are released; the mustang bros are sure to commence a circle jerk at how much their beloved outsold the camaro; the camaro board comes up with more excuses than a man on death row as to why theirs is moving less than last gen; and this one, which makes it sound like bmw is complete and utter garbage and sure to go out of business any day, while making it sound like audi and benz are sent from heaven.

I would say it's getting old but it's actually kinda funny, in a sad and pathetic way. It doesn't matter why or how they moved, just that they move them, and moving ~180k halfway through the year isn't bad. Its certainly less than one of their competitors, but that competitor also has a fresher lineup of (identical, hideous) sedans and (confusingly named) suvs.

Maybe when they drop to audi or acura or cadillac sales levels it will be time to call it a wrap but as it is, I think they will be okay, kids.

[doccyber]

The 2 series sales are strong!! Because they are the funnest cars to drive in the whole BMW line up.

[mkoesel]

X1 again showing signs of taking hold as it should. We'll see if it lasts this time.

Compact luxury SUV sales in general should be much higher than they are today based on compact non-luxury SUV sales numbers and other market forces. In five years time, I think we'll see X1 and its competitors pull ahead of luxury SUV stalwarts like the Lexus RX and BMW X5.

[vladberca]

It seems like production planning/ capacity on X5 models is wrong calculated or the demand is much higher than the yearly pre visions. World wide deliveries are pretty strong. US market sacrificed?
3 series - no improvements in sales until the next generation.
4 series - the LCI is very close.
6 series - same like 3 series... I guess they didn't put enough attention to the LCIs... too superficial!

[pbjjj]

I am a bit surprised by 51% increase in 5 series. It could be a good sign for BMW's upcoming G30 5 series.

The increase in sales of X3 and Mini Countryman to me is consistent with buyers' taste today: compact crossover SUVs. X1 is a new model, so the increase is expected. I do think X1 will continue to do well with the lower-cost sDrive model being available for 2017.

Overall, I have some issues with BMW's current offering but am not as pessimistic about BMW's future. IMHO, BMW cars still drive very nicely and have great appeal to buyers, but they no longer stand out in any category. Maybe that is the problem for them that they blend in a bit too much in a very crowded and competitive market. I do love BMW cars, but my issue with BMW is still that for the amount of money a buyer pays, BMW still lacks behind in many standard technology offerings that majority of the buyers take for granted these days, such as blind-spot monitoring system that is still not even available in 2017 X1 for some reasons... My partner bought a Mazda3 last week. Mazda3 has a better steering/handling feel than the F30 328i that I had (can't wait to test drive a Mazda with their new G-Vectoring control system) and has blind-spot monitoring and cross-traffic detection alert systems standard. Not to mention Mazda3 will be a lot cheaper to maintain. BMW recently has been rated the most expensive brand to maintain over time, which could be an important factor for buyers when shopping for new cars. I love my X1 so far, but I am beginning to think about really shop around when I am ready to buy my next car.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by pbjjj

I am a bit surprised by 51% increase in 5 series. It could be a good sign for BMW's upcoming G30 5 series.

BMW typically incentivizes models that are in their final few months of production. That likely played a roll here.

[David70]

Originally Posted by doccyber

The 2 series sales are strong!! Because they are the funnest cars to drive in the whole BMW line up.

and they have sold 6 times as many 3/4 series this year so the most popular car is still the same as it every was.

[bavarian19]

BMW is doing a good job of becoming the German Toyota.

Why is the 2 series selling more? Your average joe isn't springing for the 3 or 4 series because they can't afford it. The 2 series is going to be the volume seller when the 3 series now is at a big premium in comparison.

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by bavarian19

BMW is doing a good job of becoming the German Toyota.

Why is the 2 series selling more? Your average joe isn't springing for the 3 or 4 series because they can't afford it. The 2 series is going to be the volume seller when the 3 series now is at a big premium in comparison.

It would already be a volume seller but The problem is that BMW hasn't made a 2 series sedan for the US market.

It's clear that BMW sells more sedans than coupes in pretty much every vehicle configuration.

[Quicksilv3r]

Originally Posted by chumley

I would be a bit worried if I were them. With the cheapest leases in the industry they can't even keep sales flat?

I knew they sold out to the masses when our receptionist started driving a 3 - not because it's an engaging ride, but because of the badge and the $3xx/month lease. They've officially ruined any aspirational value to the car and created numerous disincentives for anyone to buy and not lease the car.

At some point hopefully they'll step it up and stop cash cowing the lineup. They really haven't done anything noteworthy in a generation. My wife's X5 was in the shop most of last summer with the only positive being that she had most of the lineup as a loner at one point or another. The X1 is terrible, the 3's were largely uninspired, and the base 528 left me wondering who would pay north of $60K for that. Without the sport package it had a thin, hard, steering wheel, a dull 4 cyl, over-assisted, soulless steering, and switchgear that felt no better than my car. And for the love of god please come up with something other that burlwood buried under 1/4" of clear coat. That was tired in the late '90's!!

At least Merc and Audi had the good sense to step up their game with the C and E classes and A4 after polluting their lineup with decontented entry level cars. You may not love them,but the fit, finish and feel of everything you touch and interact with in something like a C or E should embarrass BMW.

Originally Posted by PawnStar

This.

The irony of these two individuals agreeing was worth the quote/repost.

That said, chum does make a strong point....

[motex]

Originally Posted by Blipit_

Audi and Mercedes both are hitting sales records. Audi 67th straight sales record, up 4%. Mercedes up 3.6%.

BMW and Mini are losing ground lately, in my country BMW still #1, M.Benz is now #2 and Audi went from #2 to #3

People who knows says that at the end of 2016, M.Benz will catch BMW and probably will get the #1 spot.

I think is also a matter of timing, X5's have been for quite some time with no changes (no LCI) , same for the X3 and 3 Series, the new X1 is doing pretty well, but overall, X5's have been the money makers for BMW down here.

As for M.Benz, they came with a complete brand new line of products and nice one's too, so I assume this behavior will stay until we get to see new products from BMW on 2017 and 2018 (new X5, new X3, new 5 series, new 3 series)