Total BMW Group vehicle sales in January, 2005 increased 22.5% when compared to January, 2004.

Sales of the X Series were up 52.8% while car sales were up 18.9% when compared to January a year ago.

Sales of the BMW brand were up 25.9% this month when compared to last January.

Note that the Mercedes-Benz sales report is now included with the BMW Group Sales Report. Total MB sales of 12,101 units represents a 20.2% decrease from the 15,169 Mercedes sold last January.

Please note that I report only United States sales data.

 

Boy, MB sure is using a bunch of red ink this month. I'm amazed at the contrast between BMW and MB...

Thanks Fred!

 

The MB sales results are not surprising. The quality/reliability of MB vehicles has gone way downhill in the US -- where MB used to be a perennial top 10 finisher in the JD Powers surveys, they now don't crack the top 25 (so that means they are now in the bottom 5 or 10 of all auto manufacturers).

The only market segment that MB will continue to do well in are the high end, price exclusive models (S, SL, AMG) where buyers are interested in the "status" and "prestige" driving such a high priced automobile still conveys. Until MB improves its quality, it will continue to decline as a premium brand in the US market, where there are plenty of better alternatives (Lexus, Infiniti, Acura, BMW, etc.)

 

good job fdmeloan, It's always interesting to know how well BMW is doing lately.

 

Somebody in the M class department at MBZ is probably looking for a job!

 

What was that guy's name. Chris . . . who?

 

Maybe we should email Fred's report to the Wall Street Journal since they can't seem to figure it out themselves.