[Jason]

BIMMERPOST NEWS

BMW Group posts record sales for February

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March 11, 2014

Total of 141,093 vehicles delivered in February, increase of 5.6%
Year-to-date sales increase 6.6% to 273,999

Munich. With 141,093 BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brand vehicles delivered worldwide (prev. yr. 133,631/ +5.6%), the BMW Group achieved its best-ever February sales result. A record number of 273,999 (prev. yr. 256,933) automobiles have been delivered to customers since the start of the year – an increase of 6.6% compared with the same period last year.

“February was another record month for us,” said Ian Robertson, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Sales and Marketing BMW. “The innovative new models coming out this year, such as the 2 Series Active Tourer and 4 Series Gran Coupé we just premiered to great reviews at the Geneva Motor Show, will give us the momentum to keep growing in 2014.” Robertson added.

BMW enjoyed its best ever February: 124,839 BMW brand vehicles were delivered to customers, an increase of 8.6% (prev. yr. 114,909). Year-to-date sales rose 8.9% with 242,017 BMW brand vehicles delivered compared with the same period last year (222,211). Demand for the BMW X3 was high in the first two months of 2014 with a total of 23,980 vehicles delivered to customers (prev. yr. 20,767/ +15.5%). The BMW 5 series was another significant growth driver with sales rising 11.4% to 55,758 (prev. yr. 50,057).

February saw 15,975 MINIs delivered to customers (prev. yr. 18,527/ -13.8%). The sales slow-down is due to the model change-over with the new MINI, which will go on sale from mid-March. Sales of the MINI Clubman remain strong: in the first two months of the year, a total of 2,532 vehicles were delivered to customers, an increase of 22.5% on the same period last year (2,067).

The BMW Group maintained or increased sales in almost all regions in February, in line with the corporate strategy of balanced growth worldwide. Deliveries of BMW and MINI models in Asia increased by 22.8% to 45,292 vehicles (prev. yr. 36,879). Sales for the region in the first two months of 2014 rose 20.2% to 96,133 (prev. yr. 79,993). In mainland China, sales in February rose 29.1% with 30,281 deliveries (prev. yr. 23,449). Japan also saw growth of 29.1% with 5,622 vehicles delivered to customers (prev. yr. 4,355) and in South Korea 3,435 BMW and MINI vehicles were delivered in February, an increase of 17.3% (prev. yr. 2,928).

In the Americas, a total of 30,490 BMW and MINI vehicles were delivered to customers in February (prev. yr. 30,902/ -1.3%). Sales for the year-to-date rose 1.0% to 56,467 models delivered (prev. yr. 55,923). In the USA, sales for the first two months of 2014 remained stable, with a total of 45,272 deliveries (prev. yr. 45,808/ -1.2%) compared with the same period last year. Sales in Brazil for the year-to-date increased by an impressive 54.0% to 2,420 (prev. yr. 1,571) and deliveries in Mexico in the first two months of 2014 rose by 14.3% to 2,194 (prev. yr. 1,920).

The continuing headwinds in Europe continue to make themselves felt with 60,321 BMW and MINI models delivered in February (prev. yr. 61,253/ -1.5%). Sales for the first two months of 2014 are on a par with the previous year with a total of 111,654 deliveries (prev. yr. 111,870/ -0.2%). Sales in Scandinavia continue to grow significantly, increasing 15.2% compared with the first two months of last year with a total of 6,551 vehicles delivered in the year to date (prev. yr. 5,499).

BMW Motorrad sales in February increased by 18.3% compared with the same month last year (8,098 / prev. yr. 6,847) with a total of 13,536 motorcycles delivered worldwide in the first two months of the year (prev. yr. 11,665/ +16.0%).

[Diver]

I don't own the stock, but I wish the company well for their success.

[Transfer]

Conflicting info here:
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-0...car-sales.html

Also, with prices inflating this generation, apparently BMW is doing something right to keep people clamoring for more. I'm just not sure what it is because I'm not convinced their cars are the better buy anymore.

[SCOTT26]

Originally Posted by Transfer

Conflicting info here:
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-0...car-sales.html

Also, with prices inflating this generation, apparently BMW is doing something right to keep people clamoring for more. I'm just not sure what it is because I'm not convinced their cars are the better buy anymore.

Nothing to be overly concerned about at this stage.
There are several BMW production models , particular for volume products in the market this year. One example is the 2er we have a considerable order book in Europe for the new Coupe with the most popular being ordered the M Sport 220d Coupe. This will be joined by a Cabrio model by the third quarter of 2014.

The all-new BMW 2er Active Tourer has received over 100,000 online registrations of interest since its introduction on the 14/02.

An extended 2er Gran Tourer will shortly be revealed.

The BMW 4er will be joined by the Cabrio and Gran Coupe

The BMW M3 and BMW M4 Coupe and Cabrio.

The new BMW X3 LCi , BMW X4 and BMW X6 are arriving on the market. Even with first generation X6 sales standing strong in its respective key markets.

We have a fully operational and innovative e mobility programme which is not as erratic as Audi's. The BMW i8 shows BMW can compete with an innovative progressive sports car and we will introduce the BMW i3 to many other markets this year. And we will see the e models of the regular X5 and 2er Active Tourer.

It is also an exciting time for the company as June 2015 will start the countdown to the all new innovative and most technically advanced BMW yet.
The all new 7er which officially ushers in the Carbon Age for series production cars but also a new positioning as the Li model will be positioned further up market than before.

The big news about the 7er is the reduction in overall weight especially compared to other luxury competitors which Will be compared to on its June 2015 debut. I will be in close proximity to this car in the run up to its launch.

MINI is gearing up for the introduction of the new MINI which will see an increase in MINI brand sales. Initial projections for launch cars has been exceeded. Customer interest has also been piqued in the Clubman Concept. Since this is the car that will replace the current Clubman in 2015. The changes from Concept to production are minimal but before that MINI practicality will extended with a five dr MINI on sale by the fourth quarter of 2014.

The new Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II. Takes up where the old one left off and with current waiting times for a Ghost at 12 months. Series II will extend this models increasing popularity.

[BMW269]

Originally Posted by Transfer

Conflicting info here:
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-0...car-sales.html

Also, with prices inflating this generation, apparently BMW is doing something right to keep people clamoring for more. I'm just not sure what it is because I'm not convinced their cars are the better buy anymore.

But Audi's successful sales also conflict the Audi's real critical situation. The A6 and A8 have outdated very fast, despite A8 facelift and the coming A6 facelift. Q7 has been postponed again, and the A4/A5 also.


http://www.wiwo.de/unternehmen/auto/...t/9596182.html (German)

But I agree, I wonder what makes BMW so successful, because at the moment I am not interested in anything they have in their portfolio, even among those cars I can't afford.

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

It is also an exciting time for the company as June 2015 will start the countdown to the all new innovative and most technically advanced BMW yet.
The all new 7er which officially ushers in the Carbon Age for series production cars but also a new positioning as the Li model will be positioned further up market than before.

The big news about the 7er is the reduction in overall weight especially compared to other luxury competitors which Will be compared to on its June 2015 debut. I will be in close proximity to this car in the run up to its launch.

I hope the new 7 will have an interior comparable to the one of the new S Class, and not "cheap" plastic everywhere with bad fitting.

[SCOTT26]

Originally Posted by Levi

I hope the new 7 will have an interior comparable to the one of the new S Class, and not "cheap" plastic everywhere with bad fitting.

This tells me you have never been in a 7er, because the interior of a 7er is anything but...

The new interior if we are talking influences? Is influenced by the BMW i8 with extensive surfaces and minimal switchgear but with a floating screen on the top of the dash. It gives a more modern minimalist look like a modern lounge.

[TheBingoBalls]

Originally Posted by Levi

I hope the new 7 will have an interior comparable to the one of the new S Class, and not "cheap" plastic everywhere with bad fitting.

Won't happen. There's nothing wrong with the 7-Series interior, it's still very high quality but BMW can only do so much in a BMW, there's that line that they don't want to cross because they have Rolls Royce. Mercedes doesn't have a Maybach anymore so they're able to make and take the S-Class to another level that Audi or BMW likely won't meet because they have their own uber luxury brand.

I can imagine the GXX 7er will be premium in a more modern and techy way, but not in that luxury/comfort kind of way like the S-Class.

[georgere]

Originally Posted by Transfer

Also, with prices inflating this generation, apparently BMW is doing something right to keep people clamoring for more. I'm just not sure what it is because I'm not convinced their cars are the better buy anymore.

I am not sure either. They got too expensive. the small engine (i.e. 28) models especially.

my 325 e90 was 36-37K in 2006 (options: color, 6 speed, premium, sport). today, a 328 F30 with the same options is over $44K

[SamS]

Originally Posted by georgere

I am not sure either. They got too expensive. the small engine (i.e. 28) models especially.

my 325 e90 was 36-37K in 2006 (options: color, 6 speed, premium, sport). today, a 328 F30 with the same options is over $44K

$37K in 2006 = $43K in 2014 dollars. You're also getting some great things standard on a 2014 car, i.e. a better transmission, Bluetooth phone support, iDrive, etc.

http://www.bls.gov/data/inflation_calculator.htm

[aussiem3]

Originally Posted by Transfer

Conflicting info here:
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-0...car-sales.html

Also, with prices inflating this generation, apparently BMW is doing something right to keep people clamoring for more. I'm just not sure what it is because I'm not convinced their cars are the better buy anymore.

I don't know what's conflicting. Numbers claimed are consistent ... BMW never claimed it was leading the market

[BMW269]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

This tells me you have never been in a 7er, because the interior of a 7er is anything but...

The new interior if we are talking influences? Is influenced by the BMW i8 with extensive surfaces and minimal switchgear but with a floating screen on the top of the dash. It gives a more modern minimalist look like a modern lounge.

Originally Posted by TheBingoBalls

Won't happen. There's nothing wrong with the 7-Series interior, it's still very high quality but BMW can only do so much in a BMW, there's that line that they don't want to cross because they have Rolls Royce. Mercedes doesn't have a Maybach anymore so they're able to make and take the S-Class to another level that Audi or BMW likely won't meet because they have their own uber luxury brand.

I can imagine the GXX 7er will be premium in a more modern and techy way, but not in that luxury/comfort kind of way like the S-Class.

I have been in a 7 Series F01. I havn't been in the new S Class, but from the pcitures, even the new C Class has higher quality/attention to detail than the current 7 Series.

I have no problem if the 7er will not be like the S Class, but then I hope it really looks sporty and drives that way, like the E38 did. Current F01 is neither hot nor cold.

[georgere]

Originally Posted by SamS

$37K in 2006 = $43K in 2014 dollars. You're also getting some great things standard on a 2014 car, i.e. a better transmission, Bluetooth phone support, iDrive, etc.

http://www.bls.gov/data/inflation_calculator.htm

comparing money values, in 2014 37K is <43K.
Anyway, just looked up the invoice and 37K included tax (NY).
Whereas 43K for f30 price is before tax (8%).

iDrive is the only equipment my car doesn't have vs. f30. iDrive w/o navigation has little use/value and in 2014 this type of equipment is standard on most cars (camry, accord, Rav4, etc.) so it is rather expected in a BMW.

Also, e90 sport package came with staggered wheel setup with summer tires. f30 sport comes with regular wheel setup and all season tires (I believe). Staggered setup is more $$$ so trading idrive for wheel package and BMW in 2014 is more expensive even after inflation adjustment.