August is behind us and Motor Authority has posted some great numbers by BMW.
>The month of August has seen healthy sales for Germany’s three major luxury marques, with BMW managing to take top spot as the world’s largest premium carmaker for the month. BMW’s sales grew 11.1% to 85,003 units but when combined with sales of its Mini brand, this figure jumps to 99,755 units. Audi only sold 66,400 and Mercedes-Benz, even with its tally for the Smart brand, managed to move only 96,200 vehicles.
[ BMW overtakes Mercedes to becomes world’s largest premium carmaker ] Motorauthority.com
So Smarts are premium vehicles? Then VW should be counted as well.
I really wish I could see this as a positive. The way BMW is getting there is with bigger, heavier vehicles that seem, to me anyway, to be miles away from their roots. To overstate it a bit, they have been pulled a Lexus direction. I’d certainly choose BMW over Lexus any day, but what in the world is the X6 for? That one car–sorry SAV–seems to represent where they’re at. At least there’s a 1-series, but then also, X3, X5, etc.
I hear you but… automakers have to follow profit for the sake of the people that invest in them. The fact that BMW still makes great cars should be all the enthusiast needs. As long as BMW continues to do the things that they’ve done for years (and BMWUSA continues to import them with the right specs) I’m more than content. Let the sucker buy the 7 seat 6000lbs X5 while we enjoy the cars that were made possible by those profits.
Now that said if someone actually does need that many seats, it’s a helluva vehicle.
<blockquote>Let the sucker buy the 7 seat 6000lbs X5 while we enjoy the cars that were made possible by those profits.</blockquote>
Exactly. I can’t wait to drive the 1 Series. Ive almost have my wife talked into it but she has to drive it and see if it is fun like her old Z3. She said no to the turbo but it still seems like it’ll be a blast to drive.
BTW, will you be doing any form of reviews in the coming months of the 1 series? I know it’s not in the same class as the MINI but I’d like to see a review from someone who likes how the MINI drives instead of someone who complains it’s not as cushy as a 3 series.
>BTW, will you be doing any form of reviews in the coming months of the 1 series? I know it’s not in the same class as the MINI but I’d like to see a review from someone who likes how the MINI drives instead of someone who complains it’s not as cushy as a 3 series.
Yes.
BMW needs to do a few things…. Stop building 4,000 pound porkers, improve design (The 330 coupe is a sign of hope) and improve the quality of your products, especially first year builds.
But the best thing BMW will do for themselves is to keep Chris Bangle away from the design studios…
Looking forward to it. 🙂