This official BMW Group release details not only MINI’s worldwide sales for March for also the BMW Group as a whole: In March the BMW Group’s sales performance was again impacted by the global economic and financial crisis. In the month under review the BMW Group delivered 126,375 (prev.yr.: 152,586 / -17.2%) vehicles worldwide. Ian Robertson, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible for Sales and Marketing: “The 17.2% decrease in March was smaller than in previous months. We have seen some encouraging signs in key markets like the United States and Germany. However, it is still too early to talk about a global turnaround.â€
The BMW brand sold 104,417 vehicles in March, and was thus 17.0% below the level of 125,745 vehicles sold in the same month last year. MINI sales were also 18.5% lower at 21,888 units (prev.yr.: 26,841). The Rolls-Royce brand sold 70 cars over the past month (prev.yr.: 85 / -17.6%).
In the first quarter, global sales of the BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brands decreased by 21.2% to 277,264 (prev.yr.: 351,787) vehicles. Deliveries of the BMW brand were down 20.5% at 233,498 (prev.yr.: 293,550) vehicles. MINI sales were 24.9% lower at 43,592 units (prev.yr.: 58,054). Over the first three months of the year Rolls-Royce Motor Cars handed over 174 automobiles to customers (prev.yr.: 183 / -4.9%).
In the BMW Group’s largest retail market, the United States, BMW and MINI sales declined 24.2% and 15.9% respectively in March, and thus performed considerably better than the overall market, which shrank by around 37%. With 17,520 (prev.yr.: 23,115) sales in March and 42,731 (prev.yr.: 58,365) sales for the year to the end of March, BMW for the first time moved ahead of its competitors to take the top position in the premium segment. The fifth generation of the BMW 7 Series has now been available in the U.S. since March. It will continue to boost sales throughout the rest of the year in what has traditionally been this series’ most important market.
The BMW Group’s sales have performed better in Germany than in other high-volume markets. 55,836 vehicles were delivered to customers (prev.yr.: 64,283 / -13.1%) in the first quarter. March’s 1.1% decrease painted a more positive picture. MINI in particular managed to make strong sales gains of 26.2% in Germany in the month under review – partly thanks to the new MINI Convertible which rejoined the model range as its third version in March. Orders for the new open-topped MINI version are exceeding expectations. Attractive new entry-level engine options for the MINI One with 55 kW/75HP (128g CO2/km) and the Clubman One with 75 kW/95HP (130g CO2/km) have also boosted sales. The BMW brand made gains in Germany in March with both its largest and smallest series. The BMW 1 Series increased sales by 8.7% to 7,029 (prev.yr.: 6,467) vehicles, while deliveries of the new BMW 7 Series climbed 109.2% to reach 617 (prev.yr.: 295) vehicles in the month under review. Ian Robertson: “Our model-wide fuel savings program Efficient Dynamics is a definite success story and continues to convince more and more customers – whether it be in a BMW 1 Series or in a 7 Series.â€
The BMW Group remained on its growth path in China, India and Brazil in the first quarter. In China the company delivered 13.8% more vehicles (16,580 / prev.yr.: 14,574) in the first three months of the year. India made gains of 15.1% to reach a total of 992 deliveries (prev.yr.: 862); in Brazil the number of vehicles delivered to customers in the first quarter rose 12.7% to 717 units (prev.yr.: 636). Among the so-called BRIC countries only Russia experienced a slight decline in sales volume of -0.6% from January to March. The BMW Group delivered a total of 4,184 automobiles in Russia in the period under review (prev.yr: 4,211).
<p>Poor Mini… : (</p>
<p>MINI is still better off than every other make out there…no need to pity them…sure, being behind last years numbers sucks…but it is a recession…get used to it until the economy pulls itself around.</p>
<p>Hopefully there is a silver lining to the slow down. There are various reports of new MINI’s with problems over on NAM that sound like they shouldn’t have left the factory. With less cars getting made, perhaps a bit more attention to detail will sort out some of the issues on new cars bound for thier final owners.</p>
<p>Harley had similar quality control issues during the 70’s when they tried to pump out too many bikes.</p>
<p>After having to replace the alternator, hood scoop and timing belt tensioner (dealer had to open up my engine) before 30,000 on my 2007 MINI S, i dropped it for a mint 2005 s-line quattro 3.2 DSG AUDI TT last weekend. The MINI drove like a dream (it was my third one), but trust me its not the only car out there that does ;)</p>
<p>As a former owner of both an R50 and an R56, I can’t help but think that this downturn is the result of both the economic crisis AND the turn-for-the-worse that Mini has taken with the R56. I know that, at first, I enjoyed the ‘refinement’ of the R56, as compared to the R50. But after a few months, disappointment set in. Mini had refined the character of the Mini right out of the car. In the end, I wound up switching away from the Mini brand altogether (I have a bit of an aversion against used cars — yes, call me silly, but it’s a personal preference, I suppose — although I must admit that I am toying with the idea of getting a well-cared-for GP in a few years). Like I said, I switched, and I am happily driving a VW GTI. Sure, it does not compare in handling to even a base R50 Cooper, but it I am happier in virtually every respect than I was with my R56 (with a few concessions made on cornering). Short story, Mini hurt itself.</p>
<p>Hi hear yah, MV. Quite a few of our local MINI club members, most on their 2nd or 3rd MINI, have or are looking at leaving the MINI fold for other vehicles that have a better mechanical/quality track record. A car that is in the shop every other month for major work is no fun. MINI is aquiring the old Terrible British Build Quality rep of the ’70s.</p>
<p>MINI’s decision to cheapen and “refine” the car is biting them in the arse big time. I have to take my Clubman in tomorrow because both door sill metal plates are coming off unglued. The one in the passenger side already got smashed by accident when closing the door. MINI even cheapened the glue for Pete’s sake!</p>
<p>The three first gen MINIs we have owned, none have had their door sills come off unglued. The door sills in my 2005 still look brand new.</p>
<p>These little annoyances is all it takes for people to start looking elsewhere. Premium prices and shoddy workmanship and OEM parts are a LETHAL mix.</p>
<p>MINI needs to pump up their quality control. Go to NAM…Failed low speed radiator fan (Yes it happened to me and it took the A/C compressor with it to the tune of a $1,600 repair out of pocket). Crappy rubber suspension bushings, etc</p>
<p>Lousy things that spoiled otherwise superb cars. Fun to drive, safe and good looking. But quality control, especially with the second gen cars, is really taken regression steps.</p>
<p>Sometimes I wish the Japanese would take over BMW and MINIs HQ. The German thinking of “illogical” and “That is impossible” Their favorite words when confronted with big ass problems is really killing them, little by little.</p>