The good news for BMW is that we have had a number of new-car launches this year already—including four variants of the new G30 BMW 5 Series—and we will see even more new launches in the second half of 2017. The bad news is that recent and impending new-car launches have not kept BMW Group U.S. sales moving in the right direction. Combined BMW Group U.S. sales—BMW and Mini—were down 11.1 percent from the same month last year: 29,878 vehicles in 2017 versus 33,612 in 2016.
U.S. BMW dealers moved 25,818 BMW-branded vehicles in May, an 11.0 percent decrease from the 29,017 BMWs sold last May. For 2017 so far, BMW sales are 3.6 percent lower than the first five months of 2016, 120,124 deliveries compared to 124,581 in 2016
As might be expected, there were bright spots, such as a 12.7 percent increase in 5 Series sales. Dealers moved 3,677 of BMW's newest model in May. The BMW X1 continues to be a good seller, but the BMW X3, in probably its last model year, was the real mover at 4,011 vehicles, up 21.7 percent from May of 2016.
“Our all-new BMW 5 Series is now showing its strength as availability increases and production begins to match demand,” said Bernhard Kuhnt, President and CEO, BMW of North America. “At the same time, demand for BMW Sports Activity Vehicles remains solid with the X1 and the X3 delivering the standout numbers for May.”
Mini sales in May were down about the same rate as BMWs—11.6 percent—or 4,060 Minis sold compared to 4,595 in May 2016.
In what has become a familiar pattern, while new BMW sales were down, sales of Pre-Owned BMWs remained in record territory. Certified Pre-Owned BMW sales set a new May record with 12,698 units, up 18.9 percent from May 2016. Total BMW Pre-Owned sales in May were also a record at 20,245 vehicles. So far this year, U.S. BMW dealers have sold 101,036 BMW Pre-Owned vehicles, up 24.2 percent from the same point in 2016.
The accompanying chart breaks down May and year-to-date sales by model. The 4 Series, 5 Series, and X1 show positive numbers, as do the X3 and X4 and Mini Countryman. Z4 sales were way down; probably a function of the company not making them anymore but we hope it entices BMW management to get the new Z4 to the U.S. market before people forget what a BMW roadster looks like.
BMW i8 sales are also way down, but that might be due to the anticipated i8 Roadster and the Life Cycle Impulse refresh of the i8 Coupe expected next year.
BMW hopes that its 40-model onslaught of new and refreshed vehicles in 2017 and 2018 will pick up sales.—Scott Blazey
[Photos courtesy of BMW AG.]
