Hot! Mercedes-Benz/BMW/Audi USA Sales

[klier]

Interesting numbers:
6er YTD(includes GC):5717
A7 YTD:5116.
CLS YTD: 3899
The best performer in this segment is clearly the A7.

Clearly the 6er.
It's not BMW's problem they have more 6er body types.

CLS....just LOL. Major disappointment this gen.

 

[Zafiro]

CLS Shooting brake included in those numbers?

 

[klier]

I hope not for MB's sake. I doubt it sells a lot, the U.S doesn't like wagons.

Really? Where's that info from?

Because it's a 5er, but they ask like 20k more for it. Margins aren't that big on the CLS or A7.

 

[mini_cooper4]

Really? Where's that info from?

BMW itself

 

[chonkoa]

how did you come to that conclusion?

I don't think 100% of the 6er is GC, 20-30% is more realistic.
In that context, the A7 is the best performer in the 6GC/A7/CLS contest.

 

[DblPen]

I don't think 100% of the 6er is GC, 20-30% is more realistic.
In that context, the A7 is the best performer in the 6GC/A7/CLS contest.

but the price of 6er coupe or cabrio is probably more close to a7 than 6er gc. You can probably only compare a7 with Cls and if you want to compare 6er gc than you should compare profits

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

I hope not for MB's sake. I doubt it sells a lot, the U.S doesn't like wagons.



Because it's a 5er, but they ask like 20k more for it. Margins aren't that big on the CLS or A7.

As far as I understand the 5er borrows a lot more from the 7 series then the E platform does from the S. The chassis of the E is more closely related to the w204 C.

So the points you guys make about margins are purely speculative and not evidenced based.

 

[EnI]

I don't think 100% of the 6er is GC, 20-30% is more realistic.
In that context, the A7 is the best performer in the 6GC/A7/CLS contest.

On the global level GC sales represent about 60% of all 6-series sales.

Here eg. are the 2013 sales number for the 6-series:

BMW 6 Series
Coupé: 6,278 (22.7%)
Convertible: 5,496 (19.8%)
Gran Coupé: 15,913 (57.5%)
Total: 27,687 (100%)

I guess ratios in US markets are similar - with a bit more Convertibles sold, and a bit less Coupes & GCs.

 

[chonkoa]

On the global level GC sales represent about 60% of all 6-series sales.

Here eg. are the 2013 sales number for the 6-series:

BMW 6 Series
Coupé: 6,278 (22.7%)
Convertible: 5,496 (19.8%)
Gran Coupé: 15,913 (57.5%)
Total: 27,687 (100%)

I guess ratios in US markets are similar - with a bit more Convertibles sold, and a bit less Coupes & GCs.

I can guarantee you US&Canada numbers are far below your rather optimistic global numbers. I guess it is another case of the X6; popular overseas but not so much in NA.

 

[chonkoa]

but the price of 6er coupe or cabrio is probably more close to a7 than 6er gc. You can probably only compare a7 with Cls and if you want to compare 6er gc than you should compare profits

But the for the price of of GC, you could get a well equipped 7er or Panny.
Why would I as a consumer care about profitability- my concerns are the price differential between what I am looking at as competing products. The only profitability I am concerned about is how much money is left in my pocket for beer.

 

[mini_cooper4]

But the for the price of of GC, you could get a well equipped 7er or Panny.
Why would I as a consumer care about profitability- my concerns are the price differential between what I am looking at as competing products. The only profitability I am concerned about is how much money is left in my pocket for beer.

We are talking about sales in this thread. Profits are what comes from sales.

 

[chonkoa]

We are talking about sales in this thread. Profits are what comes from sales.

Sales and profit are not mutually exclusive last I checked- a point you just alluded to in your last sentence.
From a consumer POV which is intrinsically tied to sales, it is of absolute relevance to the supplier if there is a disconnect between what the consumer drivers are and those of the supplier. After all, you(supplier) are trying to convince the consumer to part with his/her money.
You have a business(I think) so I am sure you understand what my petite rambling is all about.

 

[mini_cooper4]

Sales and profit are not mutually exclusive last I checked- a point you just alluded to in your last sentence.
From a consumer POV which is intrinsically tied to sales, it is of absolute relevance to the supplier if there is a disconnect between what the consumer drivers are and those of the supplier. After all, you(supplier) are trying to convince the consumer to part with his/her money.
You have a business(I think) so I am sure you understand what my petite rambling is all about.

I obviously agree with that bold part as my previous post might suggest.
I do agree with the rest of your post.
I just pointed out that this thread is customer disconnected in my eyes and simply sales centered. I do understand that customers are a part of it but the results are here and they(the customers) are obviously sold to the idea.

 

[Rainer271]

August 2014: BMW Group Sales Rose 4.5 percent

In August, worldwide sales of BMW brand vehicles increased by 6.2%, with a total of 126,152 vehicles delivered to customers (prev. yr. 118,744). Year-to-date sales climbed 9.5%, totaling 1,151,904 units for the first eight months of the year (prev. yr. 1,051,567).

Growth is spread across many segments. In the year-to-date, 305,612 BMW 3 Series vehicles have been delivered to customers, an increase of 5.0% on the same period last year (291,110). Sales of the new BMW 4 Series, which was launched in 2013, total 67,375 units delivered to customers worldwide this year. BMW 5 Series sales grew 5.4% in the first eight months of the year, with a total of 250,924 delivered to customers (prev. yr. 238,016). Sales of the BMW X family continue to rise with deliveries of the BMW X3 increasing 3.8% to 103,876 so far this year (prev. yr. 100,037). The new BMW X4, which has been on sale since July, has been delivered to 3,640 customers already and the BMW X5 saw sales soar 33.1% to 90,633 units in the first eight months of the year (prev. yr. 68,087). Deliveries of the BMW i3 for the year-to-date total 8,401.

Sales of MINI brand vehicles decreased in August with a total of 19,504 delivered to customers worldwide (prev. yr. 20,654 / -5.6%). Sales for the year-to-date, which have been affected by the MINI Hatch model-change, are down 9.0% on the same period last year (175,658 / prev. yr. 192,968).

All three major sales regions saw an increase in deliveries for the BMW Group in the first eight months of the year.

Sales in Asia rose 5.4% in August (51,243 / prev. yr. 48,621) and a total of 424,837 BMW and MINI vehicles have been delivered to customers in the region in the first eight months of the year, an increase of 15.6% on the same period last year (367,442). Sales in Mainland China continue to demonstrate significant growth, climbing 19.9% in the year-to-date (298,752 / prev. yr. 249,160). In the same period, sales in South Korea rose to total 29,562, up 14.3% on last year (25,863).

Sales in the Americas are also up on last year, with a total of 39,537 vehicles delivered in August (prev. yr. 37,672 / +5.0%). Sales in the region for the first eight months of the year have risen 3.8% to 299,195 units (prev. yr. 288,189). In the USA, deliveries of BMW and MINI vehicles totalled 245,974 in the year-to-date, an increase of 5.4% on the same period last year (233,326). Sales in Mexico this year show solid growth of 6.3% (9,278 / prev. yr. 8,725).

BMW Group sales in Europe in August increased 2.7% with a total of 49,534 BMW and MINI vehicles delivered to customers in the region (prev. yr. 48,219). In the period January through August, European sales have risen 2.8% (563,246 / prev. yr. 548,121). Almost all markets in the region posted a growth in sales for the year-to-date; strong growth was achieved in Spain, where a total of 25,321 vehicles were delivered to customers (prev. yr. 22,932 / +10.4%) and in Scandinavia, where sales rose 11.5% to 27,275 (prev. yr. 24,462).

BMW Motorrad increased sales by 7.6% to 90,226 (prev. yr. 83,890) motorcycles and maxi-scooters since the start of the year. In August, 7,587 vehicles were sold (prev. yr. 7,708 / -1.6%).

BMW Group sales in/up to August 2014 at a glance


In August 2014 / Comp. to previous year / Up to/incl. August 2014 / Comp. to previous year
BMW Group Automobiles145,902 / +4.5% / 1,330,077 / +6.7%
BMW126,152 / +6.2% / 1,151,904 / +9.5%
MINI19,504 / -5.6% / 175,658 / -9.0%
BMW Motorrad7,587 / -1.6% / 90,226 / +7.6%

August 2014: BMW Group Sales Rose 4.5 percent

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Mercedes may halve BMW's 2013 lead by the end of 2014:

http://www.daimler.com/dccom/0-5-7153-1-1735396-1-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0.html

Mercedes-Benz sales top one million mark in August

Ola Källenius: “August was a very successful month for the Mercedes-Benz brand. Since beginning of this year we have sold 1,032,410 vehicles, an increase by 12.3%. We therefore continue to be on course to make 2014 another record year.”
Successful market launch of the new C-Class in the USA and China
August with an increase of 9.7% worldwide with growth across all regions

Mercedes-Benz sold more vehicles last month than in any previous August. With an increase of 9.7%, 118,887 new vehicles were delivered to customers all over the world. Since the beginning of the year, the Stuttgart-based premium manufacturer has grown unit sales to a new record high of 1,032,410 units (+12.3%). Thus, the company has topped the million mark in unit sales one month earlier than in the previous year.
“August was a very successful month for the Mercedes-Benz brand. Since beginning of this year we have sold 1,032,410 vehicles, an increase by 12.3%. We therefore continue to be on course to make 2014 another record year,” said Ola Källenius, Member of the Divisional Board Mercedes-Benz Cars responsible for Marketing & Sales. “The launch of the new C-Class sedan in China and the US, its largest markets, will add further sales momentum. The new C-Class estate and the S-Class coupe, which we will launch in Europe in mid-September, will also contribute to additional growth.”
In the toughly competitive European market environment, Mercedes-Benz delivered 45,661 vehicles to customers last month (+4.8%). The brand with the star achieved a market share of 9.0% in Germany and is still market leader in the premium segment with 20,057 units sold in August (py 21,376).
The company also posted growth in the NAFTA region with sales of 30,520 units (+9.4%). In the company’s biggest sales market, the USA, Mercedes-Benz posted another sales record with 27,078 vehicles (+9.4%).
Sales in the Asia/Pacific region showed very strong growth: Last month’s sales in that region totaled 37,591 vehicles (+15.8%). In August, 21,398 vehicles were handed over to customers in China (+18.3%), setting a new sales record. Thus, year-to-date sales of vehicles in the Middle Kingdom are unprecedentedly high (+31.5%). In Japan, the Stuttgart-based brand continued to maintain its position as market leader among the importers and again posted a record month in August with an increase of 13.8%. Sales in South Korea shot up by 60.6% to a new all-time high.
A model of the A-, B-, CLA- and GLA-Class was chosen by a total of 33,012 customers in August. Thus, the company grew the unit sales of its compact vehicles by 29.1%. Last month the compact four-door coupe, the CLA, celebrated an anniversary: since its market launch in Europe in April 2013, Mercedes-Benz has handed over more than 100,000 CLA cars to customers all over the world. The CLA is posting great successes on its most important single market, the USA. Every fourth vehicle of the model series is driven by an American customer.
The E-Class has been in high demand since the beginning of the year: Worldwide, the sedan and the estate have been sold 172,703 times (+20.8%). The E-Class coupe and convertible have also developed very well (+17.5 %). The two models are thus the best-selling vehicles in their comparative class.
The strong sales momentum in the luxury segment in August was due mainly to the new S-Class sedan: at 8,080 units, sales were more than doubled (+120.6%). Since the start of the year, Mercedes-Benz has already sold 65,890 S-Class sedans (+101.8%). The three biggest markets for the flagship of the brand are China, USA and Germany. End of September, with the S-Class coupe, the company is offering yet another new model in the S-Class segment.
The SUVs of Mercedes-Benz are continuing on their course of success. Since the beginning of the year, sales of SUVs with the star have reached an all-time high at 221,327 units (+7.2%). The G-Class, which is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year, was especially popular in August. The SUV provides the foundation for the SUV family which currently has five model series (GLA, GLK, ML, GL and G-Class).
A smart fortwo was the chosen car of 5,776 customers in August (+1.2%). The compact city runabout is in high demand primarily in big cities. Beginning on September 8, customers can also use 250 smart fortwo cars at car2go for short time rentals in the Frankfurt am Main metropolitan area. Currently, more than 11,000 car2go smart cars are underway in 26 cities of Europe and North America, including more than 1,250 battery-powered smart fortwo electric drive models. The smart fortwo is close to its model change. The new generation will be launched on November 22, 2014.
Overview of Sales by Mercedes-Benz Cars
August 2014
Change
in %
Per August
2014
Change
in %
Mercedes-Benz
118,887
+9.7
1,032,410
+12.3
smart
5,776
+1.2
60,100
-7.9
Mercedes-Benz Cars
124,663
+9.2
1,092,510
+10.9

Mercedes-Benz Sales in the Markets

Europe
45,661
+4.8
457,086
+7.3
- thereof Germany
20,057
-6.2
167,699
-0.3
NAFTA
30,520
+9.4
232,808
+7.6
- thereof USA
27,078
+9.4
205,894
+8.2
Asia/Pacific
37,591
+15.8
303,680
+25.7
- thereof Japan
4,628
+13.8
35,775
+13.2
- thereof China
21,398
+18.3
178,241
+31.5

 

[Rolf]

Mercedes seem to be at the levels BMW were in 2013, so if you look at monthly sales they are one month behind BMW at present as they achieved same figures as Mercedes did last month (about a million units in July 2014). Maybe towards the end of this year I see Mercedes sales momentum increasing due to a multitude of new important models been launched in important markets so they may narrow the gap with BMW further. The main market they are probably behind a lot is China, but otherwise combined other markets maybe more or less on the same levels as BMW.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

If you remove the Chinese market from the figures Mercedes is in fact #1 in sales for the rest of the world combined. They fall over horribly in the Chinese market, but things are improving there. BMW reported an increase of close to 20% in the Chinese market, whereas Mercedes reported an increase of 31.5%, albeit it's starting from a much lower base. In China MB lags behind BMW by 120,000 vehicles for the year to date.

 

[Merc1]

BMW has a good lead in the U.S. market now too.

YTD:

BMW - 211,005
MB - 205,894
Lexus - 198,831
Cadillac - 114,008
Acura - 105,918
Audi - 101,346

A few things: Lexus has outsold BMW and Mercedes for the last 2 months and I realize now at the rate they're going, they will pass Mercedes by years end if Mercedes doesn't post some huge gains with the C and GLA. Audi is not even close despite growing more than the others. Could be an upset this year by Lexus ~ stayed tuned. The year end sell off has already started with huge incentives already being given by all 3 Germans and Lexus. Audi did outsell Cadillac last month, but remains behind Caddy YTD. Audi will likely pass Acura this year. Both Acura and Cadillac are down YTD due to various issues with product.


Sources:

http://www.bmwusanews.com/newsrelease.do;jsessionid=7D9F5A191DBFF490860E9EEDF7EEEB87?&id=2188&mid=1

http://www.daimler.com/dccom/0-5-7171-1-1735163-1-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0.html

http://lexusenthusiast.com/2014/09/03/lexus-august-2014-sales-report/

http://gmauthority.com/blog/2014/09...o-272423-units-in-august-2014-by-the-numbers/

http://acuraconnected.com/2014/09/03/acura-usa-august-2014-sales-results/

http://www.audiusanews.com/newsrele...ugust-second-highest-monthly-u.s-sales&mid=98


M

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

What's driving Lexus range in the US? They are struggling down under.

 

[Merc1]

The ES and RX. Oddly enough the old-school GX is experiencing a huge surge in sales. The new RC and NX may push them over the top for the year. I didn't think it was possible, but I can see it happening now.

M