BMW Group U.S. Division Reports September 2009 Sales

[Justin Bimmer]

BMW Group U.S. Division Reports September 2009 Sales

WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J., Oct. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- For the first time this year, the BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) reported an increase in sales compared to the same month last year. In September, sales increased by 3.6 percent to 19,175 units compared to 18,506 vehicles sold in September 2008. The BMW Group also reported a year-to-date sales volume of 179,219 vehicles, down 24.2 percent, compared to 236,327 vehicles sold in the first nine months of last year.

BMW Brand Sales

Sales of BMW brand vehicles increased 2.1 percent in September for a total of 15,047 vehicles compared to 14,744 vehicles reported in the same month a year ago driven by strong passenger car sales. BMW's sports activity vehicles saw a decline compared to last year in part due to limited inventory of the X5 after the better than expected Advanced Diesel X5 model sales volume. Year-to-date, BMW brand sales were down 26.3 percent to 144,223 vehicles compared to 195,633 vehicles sold in the same period of 2008.

"For now, we'll take this first small bit of good news but the premium segment is not out of the woods yet as consumers keep on reacting cautiously to the mixed signals in the economy," said Jim O'Donnell, President of BMW of North America, LLC. "For BMW, we expect the bumpy road to continue into next quarter in advance of 2010, when we see consumer confidence improving and a major launch of new BMW products start to hit the market."

BMW Certified Pre-Owned (CPO)

In September, dealers continued to see good interest in pre-owned vehicles. Sales of BMW's Certified Pre-Owned vehicles increased 4.2 percent, to 8,033 CPO vehicles versus 7,707 vehicles reported in September a year ago. Year-to-date, CPO sales were up 9.6 percent, to 84,515 over the 77,144 reported in the same period of 2008.

MINI Brand Sales

MINI USA reported sales of 4,128 automobiles an increase of 9.7% compared to 3,762 cars reported in the same month a year ago. Year-to-date, MINI USA also reported sales of 34,996 automobiles, a decrease of 14 percent, compared to the 40,694 cars reported in the first nine months of 2008.

"September was another unique 'out of wack' month as many dealers reported fewer shoppers and tire-kickers after the end of the 'Cash for Clunkers' program," said Jim McDowell, Vice President MINI USA. "MINI has been fortunate to counter this climate with higher sales compared to last September and serious buyers helping the brand to continuously increase its market share."

Table: Sales BMW of North America, LLC, September 2009

Sept 2009 Sept % YTD YTD %

2008 2009 2008

BMW brand 15,047 14,744 2.1 144,223 195,633 -26.3

BMW passenger cars 12,403 10,552 17.5 117,173 152,988 -23.4

BMW light trucks 2,644 4,192 -36.9 27,050 42,645 -36.6

(SAVs)

MINI brand 4,128 3,762 9.7 34,996 40,694 -14.0

TOTAL Group 19,175 18,506 3.6 179,219 236,327 -24.2

Sales BMW of North America, LLC, September 2009

Sept Sept YTD Sept YTD Sept

09 08 % 09 08 %

1 Series 1,509 663 127.6% 8,952 9,280 -3.5%

3 Series 6,523 6,303 3.5% 67,220 88,270 -23.8%

Z4 325 337 -3.6% 2,306 5,009 -54.0%

5 Series 2,861 2,423 18.1% 29,690 35,331 -16.0%

6 Series 446 292 52.7% 3,055 5,173 -40.9%

7 Series 739 534 38.4% 5,950 9,925 -40.1%

BMW passenger cars 12,403 10,552 17.5% 117,173 152,988 -23.4%

----------------------- ------ ------ --- ------- ------- -----

X3 1,000 1,400 -28.6% 5,098 14,620 -65.1%

X5 1,393 2,316 -39.9% 18,650 24,663 -24.4%

X6 251 476 -47.3% 3,302 3,362 -1.8%

BMW light trucks (SAVs) 2,644 4,192 -36.9% 27,050 42,645 -36.6%

----------------------- ----- ----- ----- ------ ------ -----

BMW brand 15,047 14,744 2.1% 144,223 195,633 -26.3%

----------------------- ------ ------ --- ------- ------- -----

Cooper /S Hardtop 2,066 2,721 -24.1% 21,939 27,687 -20.8%

Cooper /S Convertible 957 153 525.5% 4,930 4,698 4.9%

Cooper /S Clubman 1,105 888 24.4% 8,127 8,309 -2.2%

MINI brand 4,128 3,762 9.7% 34,996 40,694 -14.0%

----------------------- ------ ------ --- ------- ------- -----

TOTAL BMW of North

America, LLC 19,175 18,506 3.6% 179,219 236,327 -24.2%

----------------------- ------ ------ --- ------- ------- -----

[A Horse With No Name]

I actually predict MINI will be the next brand to hang itself. They have the Clubman, which isn't selling all that great, they are bringing out the Crossman, a Crossover, and a goofy coupe concept is in the works.

They are going to water down the Cooper idea and make it a joke imho.

Also, they have a cold start problem (a loud metallic knock) that they cannot seem to get under control.

Hope they can pull it together.

Too bad the BMW 1 series doesn't sell any better. Apparently i am about 1 of 7 people in North America that seems to like it.

Chris

[toesuf94]

I actually predict MINI will be the next brand to hang itself. They have the Clubman, which isn't selling all that great, they are bringing out the Crossman, a Crossover, and a goofy coupe concept is in the works.

They are going to water down the Cooper idea and make it a joke imho.

Also, they have a cold start problem (a loud metallic knock) that they cannot seem to get under control.

Hope they can pull it together.

Too bad the BMW 1 series doesn't sell any better. Apparently i am about 1 of 7 people in North America that seems to like it.

Chris

I love the IDEA of a 1-series...but the price point puts it in the wrong league - and a standard 3-er is only a few grand more.

I agree with you on the MINI deal...taking the pure and making it purely confusing.

[regfootball]

I actually predict MINI will be the next brand to hang itself. They have the Clubman, which isn't selling all that great, they are bringing out the Crossman, a Crossover, and a goofy coupe concept is in the works.

They are going to water down the Cooper idea and make it a joke imho.

Also, they have a cold start problem (a loud metallic knock) that they cannot seem to get under control.

Hope they can pull it together.

Too bad the BMW 1 series doesn't sell any better. Apparently i am about 1 of 7 people in North America that seems to like it.

Chris

i was actually going to comment on that as well. for a brand 'that everyone wants', it seems like its only on track for what, 50k units?

like the beetle, the fad dies off, what are you left with. hence the 'variations'. Clubman is a 'wtf' kind of car, the Crossman is a question nobody asked. The coupe i think is fine. What is next, a Mini'van'?