BMW Group sales in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) down by 22.9 percent. Jim O'Donnell: "Sales stronger than expected, but no celebrating."
WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J., April 1 /PRNewswire/ -- The BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) reported March sales of 21,125 vehicles, a decrease of 22.9 percent over the 27,404 vehicles sold in the same month of 2008. For the first quarter, The BMW Group also reported a year-to-date sales volume of 51,244 vehicles, down 25.2 percent, compared to 68,529 vehicles sold in the same period a year ago.
BMW Brand Sales
Sales of BMW brand vehicles decreased 24.2 percent in March for a total of 17,520 vehicles compared to 23,115 vehicles reported in the same month a year ago. Year-to-date, BMW brand sales were down 26.8 percent, to 42,731 vehicles compared to 58,365 vehicles sold in the same period of 2008.
"In March, we saw a mixed cocktail of good, bad and ugly signals in the market and for us, I'm happy to say we're starting to see a bit more of the good," said Jim O'Donnell, President of BMW of North America, LLC. "Our sales were stronger than expected back at the beginning of the month and a bit of spring lift puts us in the premium market lead in March and the first quarter as well. No celebrating, however, because further loosening of the credit reins is needed to see even more buying action."
Over the next months, BMW of North America expects sales to be bolstered by new products coming to market. The fifth generation of the BMW 7 Series (http://www.bmwusanews.com/) went on sale in the U.S. in March and the new BMW Z4 will arrive at U.S. dealerships in May.
See additional video commentary by Wayne Orchowski, Vice-President, BMW Sales, BMW of North America, LLC (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egHL2TR2DbQ&feature=channel_page ), regarding BMW's performance in March.
BMW Automobile Sales
BMW's automobile sales are down 23.2 percent in March to 14,767 versus 19,231 in the same month of 2008. Year-to-date sales also decreased 25.8 percent, to 34,240 automobiles compared to 46,153 in the first three months 2008.
BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Sales
Sales of BMW Sports Activity Vehicles decreased 29.1 percent in March to 2,753 vehicles over the 3,884 sold in the same month a year ago. Year-to-date, sales of BMW Sports Activity Vehicles were down 30.5 percent, to 8,491 vehicles compared to 12,212 sold in the same period a year ago.
MINI Brand Sales
MINI USA reported sales of 3,605 automobiles, down 15.9 percent from the 4,289 cars sold in March 2008. For the first quarter, MINI USA also reported sales of 8,513 automobiles, a decrease of 16.2 percent, compared to the 10,164 cars reported in March 2008.
"Like the swallows from Capistrano, we're seeing March bring some life to our segment," said Jim McDowell, Vice-President of MINI USA. "MINI sales are still tracking below last year but the gap has remained stable throughout the first quarter, and more people are configuring cars on the internet - all signs of cautious optimism that the traditional spring lift will happen again this year."
The new MINI Cooper and Cooper S Convertible (http://www.miniusanews.com/) are the latest additions to MINI's product line-up in the U.S. Both products arrived at MINI dealerships last month. This month, the MINI John Cooper Works Convertible follows.
Table: Sales BMW of North America, LLC, March 2009
March March YTD YTD
2009 2008 % 2009 2008 %
BMW brand 17,520 23,115 -24.2 42,731 58,365 -26.8
BMW passenger cars 14,767 19,231 -23.2 34,240 46,153 -25.8
BMW light trucks 2,753 3,884 -29.1 8,491 12,212 -30.5
(SAVs)
MINI brand 3,605 4,289 -15.9 8,513 10,164 -16.2
TOTAL Group 21,125 27,404 -22.9 51,244 68,529 -25.2
Sales BMW of North America, LLC, March 2009
YTD YTD
Mar. 09 Mar. 08 % Mar. 09 Mar. 08 %
1 Series 939 1,496 N/A 2,508 1,496 N/A
3 Series 8,464 11,226 -24.6% 19,891 27,013 -26.4%
Z4 Roadster and
Coupe 36 772 -95.3% 102 1,659 -93.9%
5 Series 4,040 3,677 9.9% 9,827 10,890 -9.8%
6 Series 371 593 -37.4% 962 1,416 -32.1%
7 Series 917 1,467 -37.5% 950 3,679 -74.2%
BMW passenger cars 14,767 19,231 -23.2% 34,240 46,153 -25.8%
------------------ ------ ------ ----- ------ ------ -----
X3 453 1,732 -73.8% 1,114 4,190 -73.4%
X5 2,001 2,152 -7.0% 6,562 8,022 -18.2%
X6 299 0 N/A 815 0 N/A
BMW light trucks
(SAVs) 2,753 3,884 -29.1% 8,491 12,212 -30.5%
---------------- ----- ----- ----- ----- ------ -----
BMW brand 17,520 23,115 -24.2% 42,731 58,365 -26.8%
--------- ------ ------ ----- ------ ------ -----
Cooper /S Hardtop 2,450 2,752 -11.0% 5,951 7,167 -17.0%
Cooper /S
Convertible 251 472 -46.8% 343 1,229 -72.1%
Cooper /S Clubman 904 1,065 -15.1% 2,219 1,768 25.5%
MINI brand 3,605 4,289 -15.9% 8,513 10,164 -16.2%
---------- ----- ----- ----- ----- ------ -----
TOTAL BMW of North
America, LLC 21,125 27,404 -22.9% 51,244 68,529 -25.2%
------------------ ------ ------ ----- ------ ------ -----
BMW Group In America
BMW of North America, LLC has been present in the United States since 1975. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars NA, LLC began distributing vehicles in 2003. The BMW Group in the United States has grown to include marketing, sales, and financial service organizations for the BMW brand of motor vehicles, including motorcycles, the MINI brand, and the Rolls-Royce brand of Motor Cars; DesignworksUSA, a strategic design consultancy in California; a technology office in Silicon Valley and various other operations throughout the country. BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC in South Carolina is part of BMW Group's global manufacturing network and is the exclusive manufacturing plant for all X5 Sports Activity Vehicles and X6 Sports Activity Coupes. The BMW Group sales organization is represented in the U.S. through networks of 338 BMW passenger car centers, 335 BMW Sports Activity Vehicle centers, 142 BMW motorcycle retailers, 83 MINI passenger car dealers, and 30 Rolls-Royce Motor Car dealers. BMW (US) Holding Corp., the BMW Group's sales headquarters for North, Central and South America, is located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.
Information about BMW Group products is available to consumers via the Internet at:
www.bmwgroupna.com
www.bmwusa.com
www.bmwmotorcycles.com
www.miniusa.com
www.rolls-roycemotorcars.com
Journalist note: Information about the BMW Group and its products is available to journalists on-line at the BMW Group PressClub at the following address: www.press.bmwgroup.com. Broadcast quality video footage is available via The NewsMarket at www.thenewsmarket.com.
SOURCE BMW of North America, LLC
