[02black330ci]

Anybody hear about this, any more info? I just read this on www.speedtv.com. Doesn't sound too good....

http://automotive.speedtv.com/articl...s-sales-slide/

[gPiplay]

No surprise really.

[Palbay]

Originally Posted by 02black330ci

Anybody hear about this, any more info? I just read this on www.speedtv.com. Doesn't sound too good....

http://automotive.speedtv.com/articl...s-sales-slide/

Here is the entire article from Automotive News.I posted it over on the X6 Forum.People are tired of hearing me say this....but w/ the weak US Dollar...BMW can't make enough margin on exports to the US.Hence,40,000 less cars next year.BMW in round numbers loses 40% of its profits on each US sale due to the current exchange rate..... US Dollar vs Euro.Either BMW continues to shrink as a major US player (sells less and less cars every year) and I don't think long term BMW wants to become a very small player in the US market.The US accounts for 25% of BMW's worldwide sales now. Or BMW can build more stuff here in the US and eliminate the exchange rate issue altogether.Thanks! PalBay http://www.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=172845

[jgorman13]

You know what, youre absolutely right. FX rates have crippled tons of foreign and domestic companies. The problem boils down to: with the Euro so much stronger than the dollar, BMW has to raise prices and lose standard features (like the new 09 releases) to cut the overhead. Its then having an adverse effect on sales. People are less likely to spend $45K on a 3 series, which happens to be their #1 seller in the states.

I think mercedes is doing a rather good job with their entry level and pricing the C right. The price has gone up but not substantially, and the typically equipped one undercuts the cost of a 3 series by several thousand.

[danniexi]

Originally Posted by jgorman13

I think mercedes is doing a rather good job with their entry level and pricing the C right. The price has gone up but not substantially, and the typically equipped one undercuts the cost of a 3 series by several thousand.

so true. BMW should start offering lower powered engines (like Europe) to help lower cost of their cars (same goes for the 1 series). Lots of people purchse these vehicles for the badge, so something like the 320i would sell pretty well here.