[SeanWRT]

Surprised nobody mentioned it probably was BMW being not as competitive as used to be.

The sales decline will definitely continue until 3 & 5 series next gen come out. BMW has been short of interesting products for long.

[mantis]

i will say this, i have a 2011 328i, everytime i drop it off for service and get a newer model for a loaner, theyre lacking the "oh wow" i would expect out of new cars. same cabin look and lame restrictive design platforms, completely lacking in power unless in sport mode, i was hoping the new 40 series release would be different but still looks the same, yes more pep, but come on. you see the new mercedes

[Bosozoku]

Maybe BMW should ramp up 2-Series production at Leipzig.
Sales delta is positive. 3- and 4-Series deltas are negative.

[pbjjj]

Originally Posted by SeanWRT

Surprised nobody mentioned it probably was BMW being not as competitive as used to be.

The sales decline will definitely continue until 3 & 5 series next gen come out. BMW has been short of interesting products for long.

I agree 100% that BMW cars are not as competitive as they used to be. I am definitely not saying that BMW are not making good cars. I think BMW makes great cars, but their competitors are bringing out products that are more competitive than the current BMW offerings in today's market.

A good example is that I went to see the new Audi A4 recently right after I left my BMW dealer. I have to say the 3 series interior is beginning to look dated compared to the new A4 interior. The virtual cockpit in the A4 is just spectacular, which made me forget completely about what 3 series interior even look like until I got back in to my F48 X1, which has similar interior design as the 3 series interior. It's very obvious that the BMW interior design is a few years old because it shows.

I hope the new 5 series will be competitive to the new E Class and the new A6. BMW definitely has an uphill battle this year based on how well Mercedes and Audi are updating their vehicles.

[Matski]

Originally Posted by Smithcinema

Hey comes down to money Bmw this year not offering decent incentives !!! It's the only brand with out a loyalty discount !! I would love a x5 but instead I will buy a Mercedes gls with some nice incentives and it was just released the x5 is dated now !! Bmw needs to take care of current customers !! Mercedes , Audi , Lexus and even Volvo now are just as nice if not better than Bmw !! And watch for Maserati there deals have been real good and u can see the amount of them on the road because of it ! BMW WAKE UP

BMW have stated profitability is more important than sales volumes, so they'd seem to disagree with your strategy of out-right buying customers.

Profit is sanity, turnover is vanity.

[bavarian19]

Originally Posted by InTheNightKitchen

But what's causing this trend?

Thank you for acknowledging this. BMW will say the car market is dead now, sell more SUV's.

The answer probably has something to do with creating a less stimulating car being sold for a greater price.

Want to boost car sales? Give the US a RWD 135 hatch or sedan for $40k decently optioned. Watch car sales go through the roof.


BMW ///Marketing years ago would state that they would try to appeal to younger professionals with the 3, and have the brand grow with them over their career. That worked when the 3 was a sporty luxury car people wanted.

BMW NA have really priced themselves out of the entry level luxury car. I am sorry, but a neutered 320 with no options does nothing to build a brand, and certainly not going to win over enthusiasts. When you have to add basic luxury items like leather, nav, and HID, you are looking at a 40k 320.

BMW NA won't listen to any of this and blame lack of demand on the customer. After all, as a customer, I am supposed to spend ridiculous amounts of money for less exciting products.

[David70]

Originally Posted by Smithcinema

Hey comes down to money Bmw this year not offering decent incentives !!! It's the only brand with out a loyalty discount !! I would love a x5 but instead I will buy a Mercedes gls with some nice incentives and it was just released the x5 is dated now !! Bmw needs to take care of current customers !! Mercedes , Audi , Lexus and even Volvo now are just as nice if not better than Bmw !! And watch for Maserati there deals have been real good and u can see the amount of them on the road because of it ! BMW WAKE UP

Big incentives are good for the buyers (but then with resulting reduced resale values) and they do increase the numbers sold but from BMW's standpoint it may not make any sense to do it. Every car you sell with big incentives brings in less profit and the end result may be reduced overall profit.

For those that think big incentives are the answer I am sure they also considered it.

[bri1042]

Originally Posted by basiluf

YTD, BMW has the largest percentage decrease in light vehicle sales.

Only if you leave Audi in the VW brand:

http://media.vw.com/release/1199/

VW proper is down 13.06% year-to-year. Ouch. Poor VW.

[M3 Adjuster]

Ford passenger cars were down 25 percent, (trucks are up) illustrative of the overall industry situation in the United States in the month just ended. FCA was the only one of the Detroit Three that was up; Toyota and Honda both had rough months. (Forbes)

[DDD31]

Originally Posted by M3 Adjuster

Ford passenger cars were down 25 percent, (trucks are up) illustrative of the overall industry situation in the United States in the month just ended. FCA was the only one of the Detroit Three that was up; Toyota and Honda both had rough months. (Forbes)

Yup unfortunately in good ol Murica, trucks and SUVs are king because now that gas prices are low, they're gonna stay that way forever.

[fecurtis]

Originally Posted by pbjjj

I agree 100% that BMW cars are not as competitive as they used to be. I am definitely not saying that BMW are not making good cars. I think BMW makes great cars, but their competitors are bringing out products that are more competitive than the current BMW offerings in today's market.

A good example is that I went to see the new Audi A4 recently right after I left my BMW dealer. I have to say the 3 series interior is beginning to look dated compared to the new A4 interior. The virtual cockpit in the A4 is just spectacular, which made me forget completely about what 3 series interior even look like until I got back in to my F48 X1, which has similar interior design as the 3 series interior. It's very obvious that the BMW interior design is a few years old because it shows.

I hope the new 5 series will be competitive to the new E Class and the new A6. BMW definitely has an uphill battle this year based on how well Mercedes and Audi are updating their vehicles.

Who knew a car that was released this year would look more modern than a car that debuted in 2012. This is some excellent and thought provoking insight.

I haven't seen the virtual cockpit in person, but in pictures and videos, it looked too distracting.

[BoosTonian]

Thread is still making me LOL.

How can people say bmws have lost their competitiveness and are beginning to look dated when the cars they're comparing it too are ones that have just been redesigned.

These are lackluster comparisons. The cars are still benchmarking the segment, even though they came out in 2012.

Look how many people said the previous a4/a5 was looking dated with aged technology. It's just a game of leapfrog. Once the new 3 series comes out it'll be the other way around.

[fecurtis]

Page 1:

Originally Posted by fecurtis

monthly discussion the arm chair analysts like to engage in where they like to predict that BMW will cease to exist as a company unless they build a car that looks, behaves, and drives exactly like a car they built and sold 20 years ago.

Current Page:

Originally Posted by bavarian19

Want to boost car sales? Give the US a RWD 135 hatch or sedan for $40k decently optioned. Watch car sales go through the roof.

I FOUND THE GUY!

[cybermgm23]

Why are sales down so much this year? The new F series is ugly and they have sewing machine motors. Question answered.

[fecurtis]

Originally Posted by cybermgm23

The new F series is ugly and they have sewing machine motors. Question answered.

The F platforms have slow motors???

News to me. Ironic coming from the guy with an E90 328i.

[cybermgm23]

Originally Posted by fecurtis

The F platforms have slow motors???

News to me. Ironic coming from the guy with an E90 328i.

Driving a 4 cylinder, even if it is turbocharged, is a completely different experience than the smooth harmonics of a straight 6. Yes, I've driven a new F series loaner and I couldn't wait to get my E series back. Definitely a noticeable difference.

[fecurtis]

Originally Posted by cybermgm23

Driving a 4 cylinder, even if it is turbocharged, is a completely different experience than the smooth harmonics of a straight 6. Yes, I've driven a new F series loaner and I couldn't wait to get my E series back. Definitely a noticeable difference.

Ah my bad, I forgot the N20 was the only engine offered in F cars.

Carry on.

(Although I do agree with you)

[angelbones]

Interesting that the only mainstay "cars" (i.e., not SUV and not specialty models like Z4 and i8),) that increased in volume is the 2 series. Yeah.

[fecurtis]

Originally Posted by angelbones

Interesting that the only mainstay "cars" (i.e., not SUV and not specialty models like Z4 and i8),) that increased in volume is the 2 series. Yeah.

I was actually surprised to see the 2 Series showing an increase TBH.

[raysspl]

Originally Posted by fecurtis

Cheap gas prices and single women.

http://time.com/money/4352126/suv-sales-single-women/

LOL Perhaps also attributed to the "feminism" renaissance movement that's been happening as of late.

[SCOTT26]

Originally Posted by fecurtis

I was actually surprised to see the 2 Series showing an increase TBH.

Well globally speaking the best selling 2er model is the Active Tourer.

[fecurtis]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

Well globally speaking the best selling 2er model is the Active Tourer.

I also never would've guessed that.