BMW Group US Half Year Sales Down 3.9%

BMW Group USA total sales are down for the year to date 3.9% and down 11% for the month when compared to 2007.

BMW sales are down a staggering 17% for June and 9% for the year to date. MINI continues to reap the benefits of US consumers awakening to high fuel prices with an increase in sales of 24.8% for June and 33.6% for the year to date compared to 2007.

BMW NA Press Release: The BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) today reported June vehicle sales of 26,155, a decline of 11 percent from the 29,394 vehicles sold in the same month of 2007. For the first six months of 2008, BMW Group sales are down 3.9 percent to 157,913 vehicles versus the 164,338 sold in the first half of 2007.

BMW Brand Sales

BMW brand sales declined 17 percent, to 20,944 vehicles compared to 25,220 vehicles sold in June 2007. Year-to-date, BMW reported sales of 131,513 vehicles compared to the 144,579 reported in the same period a year ago, a decline of 9 percent.

“Internet leads and consumer traffic in our dealerships remain good, showing a premium brand such as BMW has the ability to better weather these turbulent times,” said Jim O’Donnell, President of BMW of North America, LLC. “Even in this segment however, we see a desire for increased efficiency and that is providing a natural impetus for strong sales of our new 1 Series and the 3 Series 328i models, but also for other vehicles such as the new X6 where consumers see the combination of efficiency, performance and luxury that’s right for their unique needs. Within this overall environment, we are determined to remain profitable and help our corporation. We will do this by exercising disciplined volume management matched to demand, and make a small number of vehicles available to other markets where exchange rates are more beneficial for the company.”

BMW Automobile Sales

BMW’s automobile sales are down 17.5 percent in June to 16,555 versus 20,068 in the same month a year ago. Year-to-date sales are down 8.7 percent, to 103,522 automobiles compared to 113,396 in the first half of 2007.

BMW Sports Activity Vehicles

Sales of BMW Sports Activity Vehicles are down 14.8 percent in June to 4,389 vehicles over the 5,152 sold last June. Year-to-date, sales of BMW Sports Activity Vehicles decreased by 10.2 percent, to 27,991 vehicles compared to the 31,184 sold in the same period of 2007.

MINI Brand Sales

MINI USA reported sales of 5,211 cars, a 24.8 percent increase compared to 4,174 cars sold in the same period a year ago. Year-to date, MINI USA also reported sales of 26,400 cars, an increase of 33.6 percent over the 19,759 vehicles sold in the same period a year ago.

“The last three months have been the best in our history as the significant structural shift to small cars has brought into our dealerships a diverse range of vehicle owners that currently drive large cars, SUVs and trucks. Our retailers tell us these people recognize the combination of efficiency, great dynamics and premium values MINI provides and it allows them to downsize their vehicle without downsizing their aspirations,” said Jim McDowell, Vice-President MINI USA. “With very few cars remaining in inventory, our dealers are focusing on taking orders for custom-built cars that will be delivered to MINI drivers in July through September.”