[Fraggy]

Originally Posted by 宝马.e90

Now to find Mercedes numbers...

Mercedes's 22,040 vehicles vs. BMW's 21,311. Not bad but Mercedes had another positive month with the C-Class. Interesting to see that cars where BMW is up, Mercedes is down and vice versa.

And to think.... The C is aging yet still selling strong.

[kozzi]

I think the X5 ate way more of the X3's numbers. It is obvious X5s were flying off the shelf with incentives on the current X5 platform(before the F15 comes out)...so why would you buy an X3? For a few bucks more, you got more for your money with an X5. I would also be curious what part of the country bought the most X5s.

[usher93]

BMW should drop the interest rate on the 3. At 2.99 they will attract a lot of people. Problem is I do think a lot of people Re waiting for the 4 to see if it is much nicer.

[georgere]

Originally Posted by usher93

BMW should drop the interest rate on the 3. At 2.99 they will attract a lot of people. Problem is I do think a lot of people Re waiting for the 4 to see if it is much nicer.

100% correct. I am waiting for the 4 but if doesn't look good (looks, specs, tech, and price), I'm going to another brand.

[VaderWagon]

Mercedes-Benz reported today sales of 24,051, a 22.2% increase over the 19,679 vehicles sold in February 2012 making it the highest volume on record for the month. The Mercedes-Benz model line alone achieved its highest February numbers with sales of 22,040, up 21.9%. On a year-to-date basis, the 48,110 vehicles sold represent a 16.2% increase.
"We're building on January's momentum to bring us to a record first quarter," said Steve Cannon , president and CEO of MBUSA. "The auto industry's on the up and we're ideally positioned to take advantage of the strengthening market. With the strong product cadence we have mapped out for the year, we'll continue bringing new buyers to Mercedes-Benz while offering an expanded palette for our existing owners."

Mercedes-Benz February sales were fueled by the C-, E-, and GL-Class model lines. The sporty C-Class – the gateway to the Mercedes-Benz brand for younger and first-time Mercedes-Benz buyers – was the volume leader posting sales of 7,302, up 39.4%. The 9th generation E-Class followed with sales of 4,211 and the much acclaimed GL-Class rounded out the top three with sales of 2,800, up 77.8% compared to February 2012.

At the high-end, February sales increased as well with the S-Class up 16.4% and the SL-Class up 353.1% when compared to the same period last year.

[bimmerjph]

Originally Posted by tony20009

Last I heard BMW was at the top of the luxury sales market. When that's where you are, weather is enough to bring you down. Others may well see an increase simply because they were behind. You need to maintain sales to stay ahead.

Actually they aren't. BMW kind of cheated. Mercedes sold more cars to more customers. BMW sold less cars to customers, but had the dealerships buy about 13,000 cars to put them past Mercedes.


We are also forgetting the elephant in the room, the ATS.

[ATX78703]

Originally Posted by Vector Pilot

Sadly the numbers indicate consumers buying entry-level imported sport sedans do not see value in the F30. Question remains is it the price, style or both?

+1; F30 not doing well, deep into its 2nd MY. Don't give me that e90 incentive BS boosting up 2012 sales. The question is -who is getting that market? I would suspect the answer is mercedes.

[ATX78703]

Originally Posted by VaderWagon

Mercedes-Benz February sales were fueled by the C-, E-, and GL-Class model lines. The sporty C-Class – the gateway to the Mercedes-Benz brand for younger and first-time Mercedes-Benz buyers – was the volume leader posting sales of 7,302, up 39.4%. The 9th generation E-Class followed with sales of 4,211 and the much acclaimed GL-Class rounded out the top three with sales of 2,800, up 77.8% compared to February 2012.

There you have it then, the c-class outsold the f30. i believe 2013 was the LCI/refresh year for the C-class. It is astounding that the GL sold 2800. That's a $70K full-size 3 row SUV moving like that.

[VaderWagon]

Everyone continues to miss the obvious point that was in the original press release...the weather in February was worse at BMW dealerships than it was at Mercedes and Audi stores which managed 20%+ gains. I mean it's so obvious why sales were lackluster!

[xspeedy]

Bottom line is that BMW is giving us less and charging more money for it. When a new generation is a step down, there is a real problem.

[Ranjohn]

Its the ATS and C that are stealing from the 3. about 2000- 2500 ATS are being sold monthly, that's 30% of the 3. But in the past months, the C has taken the 3's top spot in this segment by more than 1000 units monthly. I mean what the hell is BMW doing? The C doesn't have anything better than the 3 (only had a refreshment, not even a new gen), but just better marketing strategy. The new F30 is being priced too high. So high with so few standard features that people are turning away from it. And now BMW sees the need to bring in the 320 to compete with the C250 or the IS250 by volume (or people who were driving a Regal or TSX now want a bimmer). But the base MSRP is still over 32k, with few horse power than a freaking HONDA ACCORD 2.5L, and a Sonata has 18 hp over this POS. What kind of fucked up mind would go spend that money and get a 320? Oh, my friend's mom's car is faster than yours. Wait until the C gets its next-gen update and when the Q50 comes out, what's left for the 3? And after watching the SuperBowl ad, which single man wouldn't want a sexy looking CLA when the summer comes? (i know it's FWD, but w/ more hp and more torque and over 2k below the 320 + MB badge, isn't almost everything working out for the potential 320 customers?) Really got think about what my next car going to be.

[acorradi87]

Originally Posted by VaderWagon

Everyone continues to miss the obvious point that was in the original press release...the weather in February was worse at BMW dealerships than it was at Mercedes and Audi stores which managed 20%+ gains. I mean it's so obvious why sales were lackluster!

(This actually made me chuckle out loud)

I agree with so much that has been said here, and it's nice that everyone has a thoughtful opinion to contribute without attacking. As someone who has loved BMW since I was young (my parents had an e28 528e) I have always been intoxicated by the 'feel' of driving a BMW, as all enthusiasts know. This is the main thing I love about my 08 550 M Sport, as well as friends' e46 sedans.

My first disappointment came when I first saw in-person and drove an F10 550 in 2010. It definitely felt upscale, but in a non-dynamic sort of way. It felt completely disconnected from the road and that steering... I won't even go there. Secondly, when I walked on the lot I honestly had trouble distinguishing it from the F01, and as I'm sure everyone else here knows, I know a model when I see it. It looked so heavy and bulbous compared to my e60, and especially the e39 which is still such a legendary platform.

My second disappointment (although based on someone else's judging, so I won't take it too terribly seriously) was the Car and Driver comparison test with the M5, e63, and S6 in July of last year. The fact that the M5 came in last was so unbelievably disappointing, but I have to say given my experience above it wasn't too surprising.

My third disappointment came with the F30. I can't say I dogged the looks too much... the front end is ok to me, but overall I don't think its style will stand the test of time. Even worse, I felt like I was driving a Corolla. It was awful. Given this experience, I can't believe what BMW is charging for these. The fact that they're bringing a 320 to the American market so they can start the prices lower is a sad effort on their part. How about engineering a car that people feel justifies its price?

It's no secret BMW has sort of shifted their focus to appeal to the mainstream luxury buyer (and it became completely obvious when they tried to market 'JOY' for a short time) and while that's worked up till now, it may begin to backfire. I can't say I wish bad things upon them, but it would be nice for them to take notice and resume engineering vehicles with dynamic driving experiences.

Before I saw this post on the February sales, I had been thinking about what my next vehicle might be. Mine just turned 50k and while I will be keeping it, I don't want it to rack up tons of miles before it turns into a weekend car. While I would love another CAR, none of the current offerings from BMW interest me. I have always loved the X5, the e53 LCI and the current LCI as well. The fact that they're selling extremely well with an old platform is a testament to their engineering when it seemed like BMW cared more about 'the ultimate driving machine'.

Other than that, Audis and Mercedes have been catching my eye more often, although it pains me to say that. It's getting more and more difficult to justify my undying love for BMW. I only hope SOMETHING changes soon.

[VaderWagon]

I so agree with everything you say Acorradi87. . I'm on my 3rd 3 series. I mostly loved the 2009 335i I had but I'm finding myself more interested in MB and Audi these days. BMWs all look like bigger or smaller versions of the same car lately. No individual personality to my eye. I'll admit I also have a 2011 E Class and its not as fun to drive but it's certainly screwed together better than my 2012 328 sport wagon which creaks a lot.

I actually like the current 550 but its too big for me. And the F30 is a snooze in my opinion and also too big. I get they want to be more mainstream. They have to make money. I mean Porsche makes its money on the Cayenne so I get the strategy. But zzzz. The E Class coupe is looking more appealing to me every time I see one.

To each, his own.

[acorradi87]

Good words VaderWagon. On a side note... I visited your area of NJ for the first time last year and found it to be beautiful and lush. Don't know why NJ gets such a bad rap.

After thinking about this heavily today, I've been searching older BMWs that I love and would gladly own if I could find one in great condition with low miles and a non-sketchy maintenance history ('04-'05 330i ZHP sedan, '05-'06 M3, or '03 e39 540 M-Sport). While classic BMWs have a place in all of our hearts, it's telling that I respect them so much more than newer models. I wish there were a new BMW that would raise my heart rate.

[Michael Schott]

Originally Posted by ATX78703

+1; F30 not doing well, deep into its 2nd MY. Don't give me that e90 incentive BS boosting up 2012 sales. The question is -who is getting that market? I would suspect the answer is mercedes.

It may be the opposite regarding E92 and 93 incentives. The lack of a new F3X series coupe and convertible have to be hurting 3 series sales. Sure the prices are attractive but for most buyers the lack of technology, poorer fuel economy and the old styling when compared to the F3X are making the E9X series look out of date. Enthusiasts may like the older chassis and steering but the general public looks at this and sees the past not the future.

[VaderWagon]

Originally Posted by acorradi87

Good words VaderWagon. On a side note... I visited your area of NJ for the first time last year and found it to be beautiful and lush. Don't know why NJ gets such a bad rap.

After thinking about this heavily today, I've been searching older BMWs that I love and would gladly own if I could find one in great condition with low miles and a non-sketchy maintenance history ('04-'05 330i ZHP sedan, '05-'06 M3, or '03 e39 540 M-Sport). While classic BMWs have a place in all of our hearts, it's telling that I respect them so much more than newer models. I wish there were a new BMW that would raise my heart rate.

I'm not a native of NJ, but you're right that it's FAR nicer than most people think. And mostly quite rural. I lived out in the Bay Area for a few years on the city and worked in Corte Madera. It's awesome out there!

I find myself looking at older BMW's too. The 3's of the mid-00's were the best in my personal opinion. They looked great and were the perfect size for me. Oh how I long for those days!

[SeanDykeen]

Hello, greetings from Brazil! This is my first post and I'd like to share my view on this topic. I read this article back in january, check it out:

http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2...les-crown.html

That's whats happening... If you count sales of coupé and convertible, it represents almost 24% of all 3-series sales. So long, now it will count on 4-series. And obviously they're already facing lack of inventory of coupés and convertibles. Let's see what happens during the year, with the launch of new models.

BTW, congratulations for all members and the team, excellent source of information on BMW around the world!

[LuisBoston]

Originally Posted by M3RD

I think the auto industry is hurting (up to this point in the year) across the board. Let us hope it improves as the year gets on ..

As for BMW and Benz ... I have one of each and love them both (depending on the weather Dry and or sunny days it's the M3 wet and snowy days it;s our C-Class 4Matic.

The industry is not hurting.

BMW is failing in their core mission.

[LuisBoston]

With all the praise for MB on here, I just have to say if I were just a little older there would be an e-class coupe in my driveway. That thing is pure sex on wheels. I'm in my mid-30s and that car seems to classy for me.

[VaderWagon]

Originally Posted by lem144

With all the praise for MB on here, I just have to say if I were just a little older there would be an e-class coupe in my driveway. That thing is pure sex on wheels. I'm in my mid-30s and that car seems to classy for me.

Totally agree!

[visualguy]

Originally Posted by ToyotaBMW

Actually I don't think Audi is hurting at all. The A4 is in it's second last year of this platform while the ATS is new for one and second is that the A4 sales has actually gone up. So has most of it's other models.

http://www.marketwire.com/press-rele...rd-1763112.htm

Audi has been doing really well - they earned it building some nice cars in recent years. They've definitely been taking some sales away from BMW.