Gojirra99

08 Nov 2005
Source: just-auto.com editorial team


BMW global sales have overtaken Mercedes-Benz sales this year, making BMW the largest global premium brand, according to German automotive industry publication Automobilwoche.

Michael Ganal, member of the BMW board responsible for sales and marketing, is forecasting BMW Group sales of 1.317m in 2005, up from 1.208m in 2004.

In the first three quarters of the year BMW brand sales were up 11% and Mini sales were up 12%.

The newspaper expects Mercedes Car Group to finish this year with sales slightly up on 2004’s 1.23m units, having recorded 1% growth in the year to the end of September.

Audi is also growing, and its sales director, Ralph Weyler, is expecting to record a sales level of around 840,000 units in 2005. In the first three quarters its sales were up 11%. Weyler expects the Audi brand to break the one million unit sales barrier by 2007/8, Automobilwoche said.

Both BMW and Audi are expecting much of their future growth to come from emerging markets, particularly China where they are both expanding their sales network.

Audi is in the process of taking control of its 140 outlets in China away from its cooperation partner FAW, in a bid to improve quality, while BMW is increasing its outlets from the current 46 to around 60 by year-end.

Och

iTrader: (3)

It's amazing how well these overpriced overhyped BMW's sell, especially the 3 series.

GFerg

Wow...Audis kinda big in Europe. THats a lot of cars they are selling compared to the rather low sales here.

-J-P-L-

Highly controversial styling and tons of quality issues puts BMW at number one globally.

MoFunk

Does that figure include non passenger vehicles? like Vans, trucks, buses etc?? Because that would mean BMW over took MB a long time ago since i'm unaware of BMW vans, trucks or Buses.

On another note, anyone have Lexus global figures?

LexFather

Well remember, we get only the very overpriced ones. In europe, they sell everyting from 1 series bargain basement hatchbacks to diesal 7s to not 525s, but 520s!!

They have a huge range of small engine choices, which means a cheaper price. We don't get these small engines in America.

And Benz is just stagnant, people overseas and here are tired of the poor quality. And worse than that, this issue has been spread to non-owners and potential buyers, who look elsewhere.

Audi too, sells a bunch of A2s and A3s etc etc.

Lexus sells 300k in America ALONE. If Lexus sold 4 cylinder cars and SUVs and other cheapo crap, they would be in this race as well. And in 10-15 years, Lexus may just be there.

Worldwide, the Germans sell tons. Lexus is the only serious threat, everyone else is not even mentioned.

LexFather

We posted I think last years info sometime ago, can't find it. But Lexus was a DISTANT fourth with about 400k worldwide. Caddy was a distant 5th.

r4z0r3ck

even though lexus and toyota are distancing themselves, selling a 4 clyinder is a catch-22. i mean if lexus offered say a 4 clyinder for 20k, it would invade into the camries and corollas because for 5k you would essentially get a better car. theres also a possibility of degrading the lexus image of selling cheap cars and the upper class appeal will faulter, just like acura.

T0ked

iTrader: (2)

Figuring Lexus is mainly a US-only brand and they only sell 2 models in europe, I don't expect them to be a contender here. Funny that everything BMW builds is considered a premium brand. No comparisons to Toyota as a whole. I believe this does include their whole model lineup including the dinky 4 cylinder cars that are not brought over to the US. Once the Lexus name is used globally, Lexus should be more of a contender in the future

flipside909

Thats great for the Bavarian crowd...but it probably upsets the Daimler folks as they got eclipsed by the 2nd in line Deutschland brand.

LexFather

Uhh dude, in Europe, they get
IS 300
IS 200
IS 200/300 sportcross
LS 430
SC 430
GS 300/400
RX 300
and the new models
IS 220 (diesal)
IS 250
RX 400h
RX 300 (our 330)
GS 300/430
LS 430
SC 430

On another note, I'm reading my monthly Bimmer, they review the 170hp, 2.2 liter I-6 EURO only 520 sedan. 0-60 in 9 seconds

Gojirra99

We need to see a scan please

GFerg

ughh....thats brutal. But for Europe, I assume that is okay performance. Here, FORGETTABOUTIT(in my Italian voice, lol). 4 cylinder Camry's would have a field day with that car. Heck, even the 525 is lacking some punch.

GRAND_LS 4

iTrader: (2)

According to WHITE_FALCON (a close friend that lives in the UK, and a member here) he mentioned Its due to Taxes, and insurance costs. There, Taxes and insurance costs are directly related to engine displacement. Forget about being able to insure a Viper over there

O. L. T.

iTrader: (17)

Bangle wins again.