With the X3 leading the way in terms of sales increases year over year (270%) BMW has put together yet another strong month for 2011. The new 5er is also helping things with sales up 56% as compared to 2010.

Official Release: The BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) reported March sales of 26,382 vehicles, an increase of 21.7 percent from the 21,670 vehicles sold in the same month a year ago.

Year-to-date, BMW Group is up 18% on sales of 64,958 in the first three months of 2011 compared 55,051 in the same period in 2010.

“Three months into 2011, we’re now seeing our consumer base becoming increasingly comfortable with the moderate pace of economic recovery,” said Jim O’Donnell, President and CEO of BMW of North America, LLC. “Those with attractive vehicles, such as the new BMW 5 Series and X3 and the MINI Countryman, are right in the sweet spot of opportunity as we are seeing with the X3 and the Countryman accounting for more than 9,000 year-to-date sales of the BMW Group in the U.S.”

BMW Brand Sales
Sales of BMW brand vehicles increased 12.4% in March for a total of 20,295 compared to 18,060 vehicles sold in March, 2010.

Year-to-date, the BMW brand is up 13.6% on sales of 52,617 January to March compared to 46,323 sold in the first three months of 2010.

In March, best performing vehicles included the new X3 SAV – now on sale in the U.S. for two full months – up 270% to 2,648 units; the 5 Series, up 55.6% to 4,491 units and the 7 Series, up 40% to 1,027 units. The BMW SAV segment (X3, X5, X6) continues to show growth with sales up 36.5% from the previous March.

BMW Pre-Owned Vehicles
In March, sales of BMW used vehicles (including certified pre-owned and pre-owned) totaled 14,773, a decrease of 7.3% from the 15, 938 sold in March 2010.

Year-to-date, BMW used vehicle sales are down 1.6% on volume of 39,214 compared to 39,848 in the first three months of 2010.

MINI Brand Sales
MINI USA reported sales of 6,087 automobiles making it the best March and the 2nd best sales month ever in the U.S. March 2011 sales are an increase of 68.6% over the 3,610 sold in March, 2010.

Year-to-date, MINI sales in the U.S. are up 41.4% on volume of 12,341 compared to 8,728 in the first three months of 2010.