[Jason]

BIMMERPOST NEWS

BMW USA reports May 2015 sales

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Sales of BMW brand vehicles increased 4.7 percent in May for a total of 31,003 compared to 29,602 vehicles sold in May, 2014.
“The summer driving season is getting underway and judging by the record May for BMW it’s clear the demand is still strong for new cars across the U.S.” said Ludwig Willisch, President and CEO, BMW of North America. “The momentum continues as we celebrate 40 years of the iconic BMW 3 Series and look for more news to come from BMW in the days ahead.”

To see and hear more of Ludwig Willisch's perspective on the May sales, click here.

In May, notable vehicle sales included the BMW 3 / 4 Series which increased 17.9 percent to 12,868 vehicles, the BMW 2 Series which increased 16.9 percent to 1,119 vehicles and the BMW X5 which increased 34.4 percent to 5,797 vehicles.

BMW Group Sales
In total, the BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) reported May sales of 36,836 vehicles, an increase of 4.3 percent from the 35,331 vehicles sold in the same month a year ago.

BMW Pre-Owned Vehicles
In May, BMW Certified Pre-Owned sold 11,105 vehicles, up 21.0 percent over May 2014, with a year-to-date gain of 25.2 percent to 49,070 vehicles sold over the same period in 2014. Total BMW Pre-Owned sales continue to be challenged by low availability with 17,416 vehicles sold in May 2015, a 3.6 percent decrease from May 2014. The Total BMW Pre-Owned cars sold for the first five months were 78,072, a 5.6 percent decrease from the same period in 2014.

MINI Brand Sales
For May, MINI USA reports 5,833 automobiles sold, an increase of 1.8 percent from the 5,729 sold in the same month a year ago.

MINI Pre-Owned Vehicles
In May, sales of MINI NEXT (certified pre-owned) were 1,100 vehicles, up 40.3 percent over May 2014, with a year-to-date gain of 28.7 percent to 4,632 cars over the same period in 2014. Total MINI Pre-Owned sales were 2,591 cars, an increase of 13.5 percent from May 2014. Total MINI Pre-Owned sales for the first five months were 10,549, a 1.3 percent increase from the same period in 2014.

[Chihuahua]

So how long do you think it will be before BMW sells off/ kills off/ completely revamps MINI?

[fecurtis]

Originally Posted by Kyle B

So how long do you think it will be before BMW sells off/ kills off/ completely revamps MINI?

Not any time soon, they're leveraging their FWD platforms to make cheaper FWD based BMW's (1 Series and the new X1).

[-The Truth]

I represent the 3/4 statistic

[Pauleebe]

Yet another month of abysmal X4 sales. Take a hint BMW: it's overpriced.

The 5 and 6 are in need of their incoming new models.

Originally Posted by Kyle B

So how long do you think it will be before BMW sells off/ kills off/ completely revamps MINI?

Why would they? Cooper 2 Door and 4 Door sales are selling more combined than the prior year. I can't speak much to the other models though.

[Kwando]

Z4 sales are tragic. What a shame I think it looks gorgeous.

[bavarian19]

Originally Posted by Kwando

Z4 sales are tragic. What a shame I think it looks gorgeous.

They are tragic because BMW moved it 'up market.' The previous generation was an affordable 2 seat roadster. Now, the Z4 is stratospheric price wise for any options/specs.

I cannot comment as to how it drives, but many reviews have not been hugely favorable in the handling department.

I remember someone from BMW making the comment on how the sports car market is dead. Well, BMW killed off the Z4 themselves.

[Kwando]

Originally Posted by bavarian19

They are tragic because BMW moved it 'up market.' The previous generation was an affordable 2 seat roadster. Now, the Z4 is stratospheric price wise for any options/specs.

Completely agree. It's Boxster S/Cayman S money.

[fecurtis]

Originally Posted by bavarian19

They are tragic because BMW moved it 'up market.' The previous generation was an affordable 2 seat roadster. Now, the Z4 is stratospheric price wise for any options/specs.

I cannot comment as to how it drives, but many reviews have not been hugely favorable in the handling department.

I remember someone from BMW making the comment on how the sports car market is dead. Well, BMW killed off the Z4 themselves.

Did they? I just figured it was because it's a dated car that BMW never really put much effort into keeping fresh. Plus the overall market for luxury roadsters is pretty poor (roadsters in general).

[aajami]

Are M cars counted within their respective series-model (i.e. 3-series, 5-series, etc.) sales?

[SamS]

Originally Posted by dwalls90

Yet another month of abysmal X4 sales. Take a hint BMW: it's overpriced.

Abysmal compared to what?

[bavarian19]

Originally Posted by fecurtis

Did they? I just figured it was because it's a dated car that BMW never really put much effort into keeping fresh. Plus the overall market for luxury roadsters is pretty poor (roadsters in general).

They used to be priced almost directly with their 3 series sedan price.

i.e. 325 to Z4 2.5 and 330 to Z4 3.0 MSRP's were about 3-4k different.

Now, the Z4 commands a 13k premium for the Z4 35 over the 335.

[Golden Arrow]

BMW seriously needs to do something with the Z4. No one buys them, and it needs to be replaced with something new...can't wait to see what BMW and Toyota are cooking up.

[Roundown]

Originally Posted by dwalls90

Yet another month of abysmal X4 sales. Take a hint BMW: it's overpriced.

The 5 and 6 are in need of their incoming new models.

Why would they? Cooper 2 Door and 4 Door sales are selling more combined than the prior year. I can't speak much to the other models though.

I understand that they take risks with niche models. X6 paid off - turns out there are folks who want what is basically a 6GC with a command driving position. X4 makes less sense to me (though I know many folks on this board love it).

Moreover, I find the existence of so many low margin mini derivatives to be counter to the argument that creating/homogenizing a much higher margin 335i/335d or M3/M5 Touring is too expensive.

[vladberca]

X3 is doing well too! )
Poor LCI effort!

[maloo]

Originally Posted by bavarian19

They are tragic because BMW moved it 'up market.' The previous generation was an affordable 2 seat roadster. Now, the Z4 is stratospheric price wise for any options/specs.

I cannot comment as to how it drives, but many reviews have not been hugely favorable in the handling department.

I remember someone from BMW making the comment on how the sports car market is dead. Well, BMW killed off the Z4 themselves.

+1. BMW made the e89 Z4 way too soft and disconnected feeling. The handling and dynamics have been widely panned in every review I've seen. The old e85/e86 Z4 is still a much better drivers car.

[....,,,,..,,..]

Originally Posted by Kyle B

So how long do you think it will be before BMW sells off/ kills off/ completely revamps MINI?

You mean Mini for the States..

Elsewhere, they hit 100k sales in first 4 months and 26k in April.

http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-rel...503376371.html

[Law]

It also doesn't help that the top is now a power folding hardtop.
Adds unnecessary weight. Combine that & the lack of a coupe option which all its predecessors had and the small niche of enthusiasts that once bought these cars are looking away.

Sad because its actually a rather handsome thing.
I still think they should've made an M.

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by dwalls90

Yet another month of abysmal X4 sales. Take a hint BMW: it's overpriced.

The 5 and 6 are in need of their incoming new models..

I won't disagree that it may be overpriced.... but the sales aren't " abysmal"... the Z4.. yes..

Originally Posted by SamS

Abysmal compared to what?

Agree.. They sold the same # of X4 as 6 series

[Twixboy]

Originally Posted by bavarian19

They are tragic because BMW moved it 'up market.' The previous generation was an affordable 2 seat roadster. Now, the Z4 is stratospheric price wise for any options/specs.

I cannot comment as to how it drives, but many reviews have not been hugely favorable in the handling department.

I remember someone from BMW making the comment on how the sports car market is dead. Well, BMW killed off the Z4 themselves.

I believe the Mazda MX-5 (Miata) is the best selling roadster. They only sold 449 of them in May 2015. Audi sold 1 TT and Mercedes sold 411 SLKs. I think the market for new roadsters is pretty much dead.

[Lucky13]

The biggest hit to volume this year is the X3, competition especially from the new Lexus cut into it big time. The X4 is overpriced if you consider it is supposed to be the sports version of the X3 and it got its clock cleaned by the Q5, Macan and new Mercedes GLA AMG and finished dead last in a recent test of the 3.5 option. Bad tires, bad brakes and way down on HP compared to the competition.

Mini needs the new Aisin 8 speed transmission yesterday to improve gas mileage and performance. There is not as much unique about Mini that you can't get for $5K less from a competitor so the 8 speed and all wheel drive option would help. There is a lot more competition like Fiat that didn't use to exist and cheap gas always hurts sales when you go small.

[bavarian19]

Originally Posted by Twixboy

I believe the Mazda MX-5 (Miata) is the best selling roadster. They only sold 449 of them in May 2015. Audi sold 1 TT and Mercedes sold 411 SLKs. I think the market for new roadsters is pretty much dead.

What are the figures for the Boxter? TTS? FType? 370Z?


Beetle Vert ?


Ok. All but the VW, I would be interested in their numbers as well. Keep in mind, 2 seat roadsters are typically 3rd cars for a family. I am not expecting huge numbers, but more than what we have from BMW.