Sept 2012 sales

Having just caught up with the "Is the new 3 series is losing US market share?" thread, I did a search and found that the Sept numbers are out (sorry if this has been posted already).

Sept 2012 sales are 17% down compared to 2011, which is better than the -29% of the previous month. So some improvement, yet by now one would think sales would have improved a little more. But still, it's just a month.

The 5-series was down 61% in August! September is far better, but still 22% down compared to 2011. So it seems like August numbers were a combination of a fluke and creative pre-sale accounting.

But BMW passenger cars are down 7% for Sept 2012 compared to Sept 2011. Is there a trend? SUV sales are up 18% though. So is the X3 cannibalizing 3 sales? And is the 3 cannibalizing 5 sales?

because 2 thrads on this topic weren't enough

Originally Posted by bmw_or_audi

Having just caught up with the "Is the new 3 series is losing US market share?" thread, I did a search and found that the Sept numbers are out (sorry if this has been posted already).

Sept 2012 sales are 17% down compared to 2011, which is better than the -29% of the previous month. So some improvement, yet by now one would think sales would have improved a little more. But still, it's just a month.

The 5-series was down 61% in August! September is far better, but still 22% down compared to 2011. So it seems like August numbers were a combination of a fluke and creative pre-sale accounting.

But BMW passenger cars are down 7% for Sept 2012 compared to Sept 2011. Is there a trend? SUV sales are up 18% though. So is the X3 cannibalizing 3 sales? And is the 3 cannibalizing 5 sales?

Just to nip this in the bud before it starts...

Big picture if we're looking for commonalities during both the E46/E90 and E90/F30 transitions, the E90 saw double-digit dips in sales vs. the E46 for the first three consecutive quarters of its life. The Coupes and Convertibles particularly were hit hard once the Sedan launched. For the first three periods BMW reported the E90 on which are somewhat congruent to the first two periods BMW reported the F30 on, the E90 dipped 3 Series sales (19%) and (11%) then (3%) below E46 levels.

So the F30 trend of (29%) and (17%) seems reminiscent of the 2005 E90 transition. Importantly, in 2005 the XDrives launched simultaneously with the RWD's, in 2012 the XDrives were markedly delayed. In 2005 Mercedes Benz was ignoring the C Class, in 2012 it's an attractive competitor.

BJ

I think the bottom line is that we need to wait about at least six more months before making any definite statements about trends, at least as far as the 3 is concerned.

Meanwhile in China, BMW sales for September were up by 59% (Mercedes +10%; Audi +20%). BMW's largest volume seller in China, now the world's largest car market, is the F30.

Originally Posted by bmw_or_audi

I think the bottom line is that we need to wait about at least six more months before making any definite statements about trends, at least as far as the 3 is concerned.

I agree with this.

Originally Posted by DerekS

Meanwhile in China, BMW sales for September were up by 59% (Mercedes +10%; Audi +20%). BMW's largest volume seller in China, now the world's largest car market, is the F30.

Most people who buy the F30 in China could not care less about the driving dynamics, they are looking for a comfortable ride and rear seat space. Most Chinese buy these type of cars do not drive the car themself, they have drivers, that is one of the reason why the F30 long version is only made for the Chinese market.

Originally Posted by The X Men

Most people who buy the F30 in China could not care less about the driving dynamics, they are looking for a comfortable ride and rear seat space. Most Chinese buy these type of cars do not drive the car themself, they have drivers, that is one of the reason why the F30 long version is only made for the Chinese market.

Agree. And same goes for all the asian markets.

Originally Posted by The X Men

Most people who buy the F30 in China could not care less about the driving dynamics, they are looking for a comfortable ride and rear seat space. Most Chinese buy these type of cars do not drive the car themself, they have drivers, that is one of the reason why the F30 long version is only made for the Chinese market.

I think the Chinese buy them for lawn ornaments. (I can't see any BMWs in these pictures. Can anyone spot any like "Where's Waldo?)

http://money.cnn.com/gallery/news/ec...html?iid=HP_LN

Originally Posted by beden1

I think the Chinese buy them for lawn ornaments. (I can't see any BMWs in these pictures. Can anyone spot any like "Where's Waldo?)

http://money.cnn.com/gallery/news/ec...html?iid=HP_LN

Maybe the BMWs owners were in the Wal Mart parking lot waiting for Mr. and Mrs. Geely.





CA