April sales totaling 3,592 units of the 5 Series were down 2.9% when compared to last April in spite of the sale of the first 528 and 535 models. For the first four months of 2007 5 Series sales of 14,719 units have decreased 17.3% over the same period of 2006.

This month the Mercedes-Benz E Class outsold the 5 Series by 419 units as April sales for the E Class were up 6.2% when compared to April, 2006. In contrast to BMW sales the YTD sales of the MB E Class totaled 14,458 units, up 16.2% from the first four months of 2006.

Please note that I report only the United States sales data.

To view all the BMW, Land Rover, Lexus & Mercedes-Benz sales reports visit my website at: http://home.att.net/~fdmeloan/

 

The equal numbers of 550s and 535s sold seems to be a bit of surprise.

 

As always, thanks for the info Fred...

 

Availability issues? None of my local dealers have more than one or two new 5 series. The 2007s are all gone, and there are hardly any 2008s in yet. Alternatively, I know people in banking who said a couple of years ago, that people were taking out home equity loans and buying expensive cars, like the 5er. That is pretty much behind us now, so maybe this segment has fewer people who can actually buy or lease the car with their own earned money, as opposed to just borrowing off the house. I bet it is probably availability, but who knows?

 

Yes, it looks like the new 535 is selling well. April sales of the old 530 plus new 535 were 151 units more than last year (530 only). Sales of the 550 are down 171 units ... some may be waiting for the sport tranny.

Given the recent monthly trends, though, BMW is in a fight for the mid-size performance sedan market. The facelifted Mercedes E Class may have more WOW to it (significant engine changes and more noticable body work changes). I'm not sure BMW has taken the LCI far enough to put up the good fight for the next few years.

The 535i, however, will more than hold its own. But the 528 and the larger beasts (550 / M5) may continue to show declines.

 

Here is some related information that is very positive on the E60. Based on retail turn rates (the average number of days cars remain on dealer lots before being sold), the 5 series is among the fastest selling models in the U.S.

1Q 2007
Honda Fit 11 days
Honda CRV 12
Lexus LS 15
BMW X5 15
MB G Class 16
Lexus ES 17
BMW 5 series 19
BMW X3 20
Toyota FJ Cruiser 21
Nissan Versa 21

 

The sales of 5 series were down in april maybe because of updated 5-Series info was out and people including me were waiting for it. I still see on forums some are still waiting for 5-series with additional new features like plat. bronze, Sport auto transmission and manual shift feature on their BMW. I love some color options/features/accessories they have for euro models like car warmer, active seats and side moldings etc. You will find them on bmw.com under accessories. They should have them available for US models(on custom order atleast).

Also,BMW should also have loaner car programs no matter where people buy their BMWs, better services(customer-dealers), website features and updates etc. REMEMBER there is always room to get better and improvement. Some people see their cars and services as a whole not just the car itself. It is competition in many areas that people look for and decide to buy the cars. I agree that no auto Co. is perfect but they have to keep it up and do better each year.

Do not take me wrong. I love my 2008 528xi and it is my first BMW( Pl.gray,ACC,gray dakota,light poplar and loaded).