Monthly sales continue their downward slide for BMW, dropping 7.4% compared to April 2015, to a total of 24,951 units delivered. Year-to-date is off almost 10,000 units from last year’s pace, representing a drop of 9.4% compared to 2015. Continued low US fuel prices (that typically result in strong growth in full sized pick-up trucks) along with the public’s insatiable desire for SUVs and CUVs continue to haunt BMW that has a very sedan-heavy portfolio. In context, April light vehicle sales in the US were up 4.2%. BMW underperforms Matt’s Luxury Index as well. The MLI is about flat for the month (pending Porsche’s reporting. They are ALWAYS the last to post! Updated to include Porsche sales numbers). Luxury cars in general are all feeling the heat, but BMW is feeling it more than most.

MLI042016

 

Despite this trend, there are a couple of bright spots. World-wide, BMW is doing very well, with record sales and profits. Back here in the US, the 2-Series is up significantly and the X1 seems to be particularly well received, despite it’s front wheel drive roots. Also of note is that total BMW US pre-owned sales set an April record at 19,054 units, equivalent to 76% of new vehicle sales. Much of this is driven by vehicles returned at end of lease. But maybe some buyers are noticing that you can find a few zero-mile “used” cars at significant discount.

Official News: Woodcliff Lake, NJ – May 3, 2016… Sales of BMW brand vehicles decreased 7.4 percent in April for a total of 24,951 compared to 26,952 vehicles sold in April, 2015.  Year-to-date, BMW brand is down 9.4 percent on sales of 95,564 compared to 105,444 sold in the first four months of 2015.

Notable vehicle sales include the BMW 2 Series which increased by 76.4 percent, the BMW X1 which increased 63.3 percent, and the BMW X6 which increased by 16.5 percent.

“April is always a volatile month for BMW with model changeover taking place in some of our very popular X models, and the improving consumer confidence that typically follows the arrival of Spring still developing,” said Ludwig Willisch, President and CEO, BMW of North America. “The numbers for the BMW 2 Series and the BMW X1 show the very strong following our smaller vehicles continue achieving and I expect our high demand X models to show gains as availability improves in months ahead.”

BMW_NA_Apr_2016_Sales_Numbers

BMW Group Sales
In total, the BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) reported April sales of 29,747 vehicles, a decrease of 8.3 percent from the 32,428 vehicles sold in the same month a year ago.  Year-to-date, BMW Group sales are down 10.1 percent on sales of 111,199 in the first four months of 2016 compared to 123,697 in the same period in 2015.

BMW Pre-Owned Vehicles

  • Sales of BMW Certified Pre-Owned set an April record with 11,276 vehicles, an increase of 7.8 percent from April 2015.
  • Total BMW Pre-Owned sales also set an April record with 19,045 vehicles, an increase of 19.2 percent from April 2015.
  • The Total BMW Pre-Owned cars sold year-to-date were 63,844, a 5.3 percent increase from the first four months of 2015.