BMW’s M division sets second-best sales year on record
#1
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BMW’s M division has tallied a record year of sales, topping 24,000 units between January and December 2008. Strong sales of the M3 and its new Cabrio and Sedan variants are the driving force behind the record feat, accounting for over 18,000 of the M-cars sold.
In August of last year, BMW reported its performance arm had sold more cars in the first eight months of the year than all of 2007 combined, with a total of 16,150 M cars rolling out of showrooms between January and August versus last year’s total of 16,128 vehicles. The United States, despite its massive volume dropoff in new vehicle sales, still accounted for the lion's share of all M-cars sold in 2008 with 10,663.
The M3 is selling at twice the rate of the outgoing model, with the Coupe in particular finding a strong reception, selling 10,571 units in 2008. The Convertible, introduced in May of last year, sold 4,169 units and the Sedan accounted for the remaining 3,253 M3s sold in 2008. The M3 has long been a strong seller for BMW, including the E46 M3, which helped drive the M Division to its best sales year ever, with 26,776 sold in 2002.
Another major source of revenue for the M-division is its M Sport line of performance packages for non-M BMW cars. Available on the 1, 3, 5 and 6 series plus the X3 and X5 SUVs, the M Sport package adds sportier looks and handling to the standard BMW package. Almost 100,000 1 and 3-series buyers opted for the add-on in 2008, with 58,000 3-series so equipped and 41,000 1-series buyers ticking the M Sport box as well. Those two accounted for the majority of the 156,139 M Sport packages sold globally in 2008.
Since inception in 1978 BMW’s M division has sold more than 300,000 vehicles worldwide, and with more models and variations planned for the future it appears the performance offshoot is safe despite looming emissions and fuel-economy standards being introduced on both sides of the Atlantic.
In August of last year, BMW reported its performance arm had sold more cars in the first eight months of the year than all of 2007 combined, with a total of 16,150 M cars rolling out of showrooms between January and August versus last year’s total of 16,128 vehicles. The United States, despite its massive volume dropoff in new vehicle sales, still accounted for the lion's share of all M-cars sold in 2008 with 10,663.
The M3 is selling at twice the rate of the outgoing model, with the Coupe in particular finding a strong reception, selling 10,571 units in 2008. The Convertible, introduced in May of last year, sold 4,169 units and the Sedan accounted for the remaining 3,253 M3s sold in 2008. The M3 has long been a strong seller for BMW, including the E46 M3, which helped drive the M Division to its best sales year ever, with 26,776 sold in 2002.
Another major source of revenue for the M-division is its M Sport line of performance packages for non-M BMW cars. Available on the 1, 3, 5 and 6 series plus the X3 and X5 SUVs, the M Sport package adds sportier looks and handling to the standard BMW package. Almost 100,000 1 and 3-series buyers opted for the add-on in 2008, with 58,000 3-series so equipped and 41,000 1-series buyers ticking the M Sport box as well. Those two accounted for the majority of the 156,139 M Sport packages sold globally in 2008.
Since inception in 1978 BMW’s M division has sold more than 300,000 vehicles worldwide, and with more models and variations planned for the future it appears the performance offshoot is safe despite looming emissions and fuel-economy standards being introduced on both sides of the Atlantic.
#9
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The M3, hell all m cars are a blast to drive.. The Speed Channel Test Drive Episode with this car was one of the best done imo.. You guys can see it here to get the gist of what the M3 is all about... 5 parts 45 minutes total.. Enjoy!
Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oi3A9oiIO8w
Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcxK_0s_JhI
Part 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5QyeB9LeBc
Part4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeAfrAME6XA
Part 5
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SgOaL2AC2w
Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oi3A9oiIO8w
Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcxK_0s_JhI
Part 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5QyeB9LeBc
Part4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeAfrAME6XA
Part 5
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SgOaL2AC2w
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even for 2009, from what i know, the m cars are priced more aggressively already. the rates are the problem
#13
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As for the numbers, the year-end incentives on the overstocked 2008s really helped these numbers too.
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at least here in socal, i know quite a few dealerships STILL have 08 m cars leftover. the incentives on those cars are pretty amazing right now, especially if you have the cash to buy them. lease and finance rates have both raised after the new year.
although it's record number sales on the m cars for last year, i personally have a feeling that bmw are producing more m cars to begin with. that's the only way to explain all the overstock m cars despite of the sales numbers. of the years i have been car shopping, i haven't seen this many unsold leftover model year. i have seen an m3 sitting in the lot since may 08 and it was still not sold around the new year time
but regardless i do think the current m line is pretty darn good. can't speak of the next generation though especially when they are going for FI
although it's record number sales on the m cars for last year, i personally have a feeling that bmw are producing more m cars to begin with. that's the only way to explain all the overstock m cars despite of the sales numbers. of the years i have been car shopping, i haven't seen this many unsold leftover model year. i have seen an m3 sitting in the lot since may 08 and it was still not sold around the new year time
but regardless i do think the current m line is pretty darn good. can't speak of the next generation though especially when they are going for FI