[Jason]

BIMMERPOST NEWS

BMW of North America Reports April 2019 U.S. Sales

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• Overall BMW Brand Sales Increase 1.4%
• BMW X7 Sports Activity Vehicle and All-New BMW 3 Series Sedan Continue to Drive Growth in the U.S.

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – May 1, 2019… Sales of BMW brand vehicles increased 1.4 percent in April 2019 for a total of 23,816 over the 23,482 vehicles sold in April 2018.

BMW Sports Activity Vehicles continue to drive sales growth in the U.S., led by the BMW X3, BMW X5 and the BMW X7, which sold 2,291 units in its second full month of availability. The all-new BMW 3 Series sedan also performed particularly well, with an increase of 2.6 percent over April 2018, while the BMW 5 Series sedan remains the leader in its segment.

“We’ve said before that our focus for 2019 would be profitability and growth -- and we’re right where we want to be,” said Bernhard Kuhnt, president and CEO, BMW of North America. “Demand for the BMW X7 only continues to grow, and the new 3 Series, with its suite of new technology features and exceptional driving dynamics has drawn rave reviews from our dealers, the media and most importantly, our customers.”

BMW Group Electrified Vehicle Sales
BMW Group sales of electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles decreased 52.3 percent in April 2019 vs. April 2018. Model changeover has limited the current BMW Group electrified lineup to five models including the BMW i3, BMW i8 and i8 Roadster, BMW 530e, and MINI Countryman plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. Plug-in hybrid variants of the BMW X5, the all-new BMW 3 Series and updated BMW 7 Series recently debuted at the Geneva International Motor Show. These models and a plug-in-hybrid variant of the BMW X3 will begin sales in the U.S. at a future date.

MINI Brand Sales
For April, MINI USA reported 2,621 vehicles sold, a decrease of 29.8 percent from the 3,731 in the same month a year ago.

BMW Pre-Owned Vehicles
BMW Certified Pre-Owned sold 10,092 vehicles, a decrease of 3.9 percent from April 2018.
Total BMW Pre-Owned sold 21,673 vehicles, an increase of 6.7 percent from April 2018.

MINI Pre-Owned Vehicles
MINI Certified Pre-Owned sold 1,170 vehicles, an increase of 9.9 percent from April 2018.
Total MINI Pre-Owned sold 2,637 vehicles, an increase of 5.8 percent from April 2018.

[cfm56d7b]

On units sold bases YTD 2019 vs YTD 2018, X3 and X4 sales are leading all other segments indicating that the crossover, mini SAV (SUV) are on top of consumer preferences.

YTD 2019 vs YTD 2018 X3 sales exceed 3 series sales by 7K units.

[Pauleebe]

I'm a little surprised that the MY19 3 series, which is a brand new model, and was fully available for all of April 2019, is only beating the MY18 3 series (an outgoing model at the end of it's life cycle) sales from a year ago by that small of a margin. Either BMW needs to increase incentives to let the 3 series have more competitive deals to move more units, or they are no longer trying to volume sell the 3 series and are going to rely on more on SUV sales.

[magbarn]

Originally Posted by Pauleebe

I'm a little surprised that the MY19 3 series, which is a brand new model, and was fully available for all of April 2019, is only beating the MY18 3 series (an outgoing model at the end of it's life cycle) sales from a year ago by that small of a margin. Either BMW needs to increase incentives to let the 3 series have more competitive deals to move more units, or they are no longer trying to volume sell the 3 series and are going to rely on more on SUV sales.

I think you hit the nail on the head. Hence why some manufacturers are completely abandoning sedan development.

The X7 is selling very well. The X5 doesn't seem to be doing as well as the F series but I guess some of the X7 buyers were probably swayed from the X5 so it's a win for BMW either way.

[JustChris]

X Sales are really strong.

[M2Cmtl]

MINI is just in free fall. Haven’t they been in decline for months?

[wdeerfield]

Originally Posted by f31mtl

MINI is just in free fall. Haven’t they been in decline for months?

Yea even the bmw branded minis are in decline (x1, x2)

The G20 is slow because everyone is waiting for the m340i. The staggered release killed April sales of it. All those 3er sales in April I bet are leases

[NorCalAthlete]

SHARP decrease for the 6 series, and significant decrease for the 4 series as well. I'm betting 4 series is due to the new 3-series being out, the M2 (and M2 CS and such), plus anticipation of the next generation of 4 series, but the 6? What's going on there? Is it all just due to the 8-series replacing it completely? I admittedly haven't paid too much attention to either model as they're not in my budget range at the moment.

[Laoschris]

Originally Posted by NorCalAthlete

SHARP decrease for the 6 series, and significant decrease for the 4 series as well. I'm betting 4 series is due to the new 3-series being out, the M2 (and M2 CS and such), plus anticipation of the next generation of 4 series, but the 6? What's going on there? Is it all just due to the 8-series replacing it completely? I admittedly haven't paid too much attention to either model as they're not in my budget range at the moment.

They discontinued production of the 6 completely last year with the GC, and with the launch of the 8 series, that's probably why. However I haven't seen a 6 series on lots for quite awhile though so maybe that sharp decline is from no inventory left over, anywhere...

[NorCalAthlete]

Originally Posted by Laoschris

They discontinued production of the 6 completely last year with the GC, and with the launch of the 8 series, that's probably why. However I haven't seen a 6 series on lots for quite awhile though so maybe that sharp decline is from no inventory left over, anywhere...

Gotcha, makes sense. Wasn't sure if the 6 was discontinued or just getting phased out and it was happening faster than expected.

[InsideMan]

The 3-series numbers are all the dealers unloading the remaining 2018s. The 2019s aren't actually selling as well as it is portrayed. The 2019 sales are a result of dealers turning them into loaners...

[Red Bread]

Sacrilege. The 6er isn't dead, it just turned into a Honda Accord Crosstour.

[IMG]https://photos7.motorcar.com/new-201...093-9-1024.jpg[/IMG]

[heavensyu]

Originally Posted by Pauleebe

I'm a little surprised that the MY19 3 series, which is a brand new model, and was fully available for all of April 2019, is only beating the MY18 3 series (an outgoing model at the end of it's life cycle) sales from a year ago by that small of a margin. Either BMW needs to increase incentives to let the 3 series have more competitive deals to move more units, or they are no longer trying to volume sell the 3 series and are going to rely on more on SUV sales.

It's no surprise that the new 3 Series isn't selling well. The 3 Series target market is being disrupted by the Tesla Model 3. BMW only sold 3642 3 Series in the third month after the release.

[The Automotive Enthusiast]

Originally Posted by cfm56d7b

On units sold bases YTD 2019 vs YTD 2018, X3 and X4 sales are leading all other segments indicating that the crossover, mini SAV (SUV) are on top of consumer preferences.

YTD 2019 vs YTD 2018 X3 sales exceed 3 series sales by 7K units.

Something like 45% of BMW USA sales were SUV's last year I believe. SUV's and Crossovers seem to be the market preference right now.

[Laki021]

Overall, great result for BMW.

[SSBMW14]

Originally Posted by Red Bread

Sacrilege. The 6er isn't dead, it just turned into a Honda Accord Crosstour.

[IMG]https://photos7.motorcar.com/new-201...093-9-1024.jpg[/IMG]

The GT is the only 6-series currently being sold. Not to my taste. There will be a new 6-series but not I have been told for at least another year, probably two. BMW too busy with launches of other models.

[530iDriver]

Originally Posted by SSBMW14

The GT is the only 6-series currently being sold. Not to my taste. There will be a new 6-series but not I have been told for at least another year, probably two. BMW too busy with launches of other models.

The current 6 Series GT 640i is essentially a 5 door hatchback version of the G30 5-Series sedan and rides a bit higher than the latter.

The rear seat space is amazing, same or better than the 7 Series. However, for its asking price you can probably get into a G30 M550i instead and the styling is not suitable for North American tastes that prefer gastly SUVs and CUVs.

BMW needs to realize that no one cares for these GTs and to sell these here as sportier alternatives to a better touring version (G31) is ludicrous...

[heavyD^2]

Originally Posted by Mo@BMWofFairfax

Something like 45% of BMW USA sales were SUV's last year I believe. SUV's and Crossovers seem to be the market preference right now.

In two years it will be 65% which is really unfortunate. I wonder if we have hit the point of no return for cars. Everyone wants CUV/SUV's now and I don't think it's a reversible trend.

[New2Roundel]

Originally Posted by heavyD^2

In two years it will be 65% which is really unfortunate. I wonder if we have hit the point of no return for cars. Everyone wants CUV/SUV's now and I don't think it's a reversible trend.

You know what would be a great consequence of this? If all the mediocre cars are converted to SUVs and the cars we're left with are M or M-lite versions. Seems like the volume players, particularly Toyota with the Camry, are trying to make a sportier statement with their volume sedan. Would be great if BMW just stopped offering 320s, 330s, 530s, etc.

[10"]

Originally Posted by wdeerfield

Yea even the bmw branded minis are in decline (x1, x2)

The G20 is slow because everyone is waiting for the m340i. The staggered release killed April sales of it. All those 3er sales in April I bet are leases

You do realize the M340i is NOT the volume leader right? Not even close. The 4 banger 3-series are the one the mass public buys.

[Bufalo]

Originally Posted by InsideMan

The 3-series numbers are all the dealers unloading the remaining 2018s. The 2019s aren't actually selling as well as it is portrayed. The 2019 sales are a result of dealers turning them into loaners...

I searched autotrader near me and of the 50 G20 3-series models showing in stock on dealer lots, only three were listed for under $50k. That's getting a little nutso for the entry price point sedan. Even with the acknowledgement that we're talking about a premium brand, fifty thousand bucks is not exactly "high volume" territory. Bring on the 2-series GC, front-drive or not.

By comparison to the 330 and 340, there are over 100 new X3's listed in the same search radius, and 25 are under $50k. Crossover's are where it's at for the people buying new right now. I mean, all those old "life in the future!" illustrations from the 50's showed humanity riding around in self-driving, nondescript pods, and we're basically almost there.

[wdeerfield]

Originally Posted by Mo@BMWofFairfax

Something like 45% of BMW USA sales were SUV's last year I believe. SUV's and Crossovers seem to be the market preference right now.

customers: we want wagons not SUVs

manufacturers: here's a "crossover" its better than a wagon

customers: buys crossovers as its the only option

manufacturer: people dont buy our wagons so we dont offer them

and from a manufacturing standpoint for BMW its cheaper to produce and sell the SUV here instead of building wagons overseas and shipping them here. they are forcing the SUVs on the public