[Mark]

To sum up there were as expected year on year declines in sales because of overall low volumes in 2009, but December itself continues on a trend of a sales recovery. We hope this trend continues in 2010! We know BMW has the best products out there right now..
Here is the official press release below

BMW brand sales up 11.5 percent; MINI sales decreased 2.2 percent; MINI achieved second best year ever since launch in the US in 2002

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – January 5, 2010... The BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) reported December sales of 23,617 vehicles, an increase of 9.2 percent from the 21,626 vehicles sold in the same month a year ago. For 2009, the BMW Group also reported a total sales volume of 241,727 vehicles, down 20.3 percent compared to 303,190 vehicles sold in 2008.

BMW Brand Sales
Sales of BMW brand vehicles increased 11.5 percent in December for a total of 20,128 vehicles compared to 18,060 vehicles reported in the same month a year ago. For the year, BMW brand sales were down 21.1 percent to 196,502 vehicles compared to 249,113 vehicles sold in 2008.

Sales showed a good performance throughout the model line-up. Supported by strong X5 AdvancedDiesel sales – one out of three customers opted for a Diesel model – the X5 sold 3,513 vehicles, up 22.3 percent compared to December 2008. The BMW X6 was up 30.1 percent to 562 units. The 5 Series gained 5.8 percent vs. December 2008 just prior to the introduction of an all-new 5 Series in the second quarter of 2010. The all-new BMW 7 Series and Z4 Roadster also had significant increases compared to last December, partially due to model cycle updates and limited inventory a year ago.

“The numbers show a good month for us, but more importantly is the fact we saw traffic, shopping and sales evenly distributed throughout December,” said Jim O’Donnell, President of BMW of North America, LLC. “We take this as a hopeful sign that there’s a bit more rational demand building up in the premium market rather than just shopping for month-end deals.”

BMW Certified Pre-Owned (CPO)
In December, BMW’s Certified Pre-Owned program achieved its second best month ever with 11,134 vehicles sold, topped only by the 11,719 vehicles reported in the same month a year ago. For the year, CPO sales were up 9.5 percent to 114,423 over the 104,500 reported in 2008, making 2009 a new record year for the program.

MINI Brand Sales
MINI USA reported sales of 3,489 automobiles, a decrease of 2.2 percent compared to 3,566 cars reported in the same month a year ago. For the year, MINI USA also reported sales of 45,225 automobiles, a decrease of 16.4 percent compared to the 54,077 cars reported in 2008.

“In a 2009, where our segment was down over 40 percent, we’re quite happy with MINI’s performance as it was the second best year since the launch of the brand in 2002, and market share increased significantly,” said Jim McDowell, Vice President MINI USA. “For 2010, our growth story should continue driven by three factors: an improving economy, adding dealerships in key markets of opportunity across the US, and building momentum for doubling the number of vehicles in the MINI range.”

[BMW F22]

Wow that's a huge drop! December-wise they did well but YTD 20% is a huge drop in sales. Wow- hopefully this year will be better for everyone.

[Optherion]

I wonder if a majority of the 7 series sales were the old models and leftover inventory? Thats a big jump for end of the year. I havent seen that many new 7 series on the road.

[PINeely]

How in the world did they manage to sell more Clubmans than verts?

[Arustik1]

Originally Posted by Optherion

I wonder if a majority of the 7 series sales were the old models and leftover inventory? Thats a big jump for end of the year. I havent seen that many new 7 series on the road.

7's and Z4's ...

[corrupt23jj]

Originally Posted by Optherion

...I havent seen that many new 7 series on the road.

Really? Seems like all I've been seing are the new 7's.

[328skidpad]

sales up, not surprised, seems like everyone went out and bought a 328 sedan here in Pittsburgh, PA.

Toyota camry's and Honda Accords were the staple in Pittsburgh but for a few grand more you can now get a bmw.

15 years ago I always thought that a bmw was a "exclusive" car but now it has become a commodity car and no longer a raw "driving machine"

just ranting...

[Cookiemonster]

I think the upswing has alot to do with the Joy Holiday incentives. The economy is still stale. If BMW lets the incentive expire after Jan. 4 and don't replace them with something decent I would expect January numbers to be horrible. With most of the Northern part of the counrty in an Ice Box and the stale economy. ......Double Dip here we come!

[vladberca]

I think that the upward trend will continue in 2010 due to the great models that will appear

[rocco90]

I'm really looking for to see what the sales for the new 5 series Gran Turismo will be for January 2010.

[Optherion]

Sadly the 5 series GT has been sitting at a near by dealership for nearly a month now. It is parked outside for all to see, and it hasn't sold yet at MSRP. I'm going to predict very poor sales.

[davidy1688]

that's why I saw many new 7 series in south california.

[rocco90]

Originally Posted by Optherion

Sadly the 5 series GT has been sitting at a near by dealership for nearly a month now. It is parked outside for all to see, and it hasn't sold yet at MSRP. I'm going to predict very poor sales.

I agree that the base price of $63,900 MSRP seems to much. Although I like it very much but I think that BMW should introduce the GT also with 535i, not 550i only. That way it will be more affordable.

[Chips335d]

I was in for service the day the first 550i GT arrived at the dealer. It sold in 2 hours. There were 3 different people who wanted the car and dealer took the highest bidder. MSRP was $73,xxx (Black Sapphire on Oyster) It was a stunning car in the flesh (had the Sport Package)

The 535i GT arrives in Spring 2010.

[Scorpion]

That table supports the fact of why I've seen so many 7's and barely and 6's lol.

[npd2983]

Wonder why the X3 sales tanked so hard (-65.6% for the year)? I understand that SUVs have taken the brunt of the sales drops for auto sellers here in North America, I just wonder why the X3 is so much worse off than the X5?

[black07sport]

^^^^^

Because the X3 uses the oldest technology, just look at the interior. Not to mention the programs for the X5 versus the X3 made it a better buy overall. Wouldn't you take an X5 over an X3 if the payment was similar or even the same?

Just a sidenote...BMW of Freehold was only down 1% from last year, missing 2008 by just 23 cars! I wish I started in January instead of May, we would have passed 2008's mark!