PlanB

I was speaking from a profit and loss standpoint. Most manufacturers aren't as concerned with making a great product in the opinion of a select few, rather making an acceptable product for the masses.
BMW does have a good track record regarding the 5 series, but that doesn't guarantee success for present and future models.
I'm not sying it will or won't be a success, because frankly I don't know.
What I do know is that I don't like it nearly as much as the E60, that alot of members on this board feel the exact same way, and that you're way too defensive regarding your new car. All that matters is that YOU like it....it's your money!

PlanB

Well said!

Petes550i

Frankly, I don't care who likes the car or doesn't. That's your opinion and you're entitled to it. However, when someone presents something which is clearly an opinion and dresses it up as fact, then I will respond to it. .....Example: in your post above, you state that manufacturers don't care about the consumers and just want to push out a product that just passes mustard.......How do you know this? Have you worked as an executive in the auto industry? If this was true, then pretty much every car, including your beloved E60, would be a dismal failure. Just because YOU dislike the F10 doesn't mean BMW doesn't care about its customers. That's absurd! Yes, whenever a new model comes out, it won't please everyone but that's life.....you move on to something else if you don't like it......but to imply that BMW or the F10 has failed because it didn't meet YOUR specific needs at this point in time is ridiculous.

Rudy

Pardon me, but do you happen to have any Grey Poupon?

But of course!



(Sorry, I couldn't resist...)

BabkenBMW

Please, guys, Stop criticizing the F10, because it's a super car and at least one step above the E60 in EVERYTHING. Yes, it's a shame that the new 5 Series is brought down to its knees by the E-Class in the USA. And BMW should do something about it or they will lose their 2nd place to Mercedes-Benz in the USA. There is a fact that most of the forum members forget or don't know: the E-Class is sold in both sedan and coupe and cabriolet and touring versions while the 5 Series is sold only in sedan version. I think that BMW should bring in the touring version to the USA as well. Anyway I'm sure that the 5 Series will retake its crown.

BabkenBMW

Could you please tell me where you got the sales figures of the 5 Series?

swajames

Sure, the numbers come from press releases issued each month by BMW NA and MB USA.

BabkenBMW

I know that. But I need the link, please.

Rudy

Just so the newbs understand, traditionally, the sales numbers have been posted here each month. Years ago, they were always posted by member FDMeloan and then, after he retired, many of us would jump in and post them after they were released. Most of the time, I wait for Tachyon to post them since he's sort of become the one who gets them up quickly but once in a while, others (like swajames) will post them.

The main reason I wanted to explain this was to let everyone know that we always post this info -- it's not likely being posted as any type of troll bait, etc. The numbers "are what they are" and clearly, during a time when a new [controversial] model comes out, they are open to interpretation/speculation.

That said, here's the entire release so everyone can see the numbers...


BMW Group U.S. Reports September 2010 Sales.
Woodcliff Lake, NJ ? October 1, 2010... The BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) reported September sales of 23,112 vehicles, an increase of 20.5 percent from the 19,175 vehicles sold in September 2009. Year-to-date, the BMW Group also reported a sales volume of 192,052 vehicles, up 7.2 percent from the 179,219 units sold through September 2009.

?It's still a tough market but the September numbers show that good results are possible," said Jim O'Donnell, President of BMW of North America LLC. "We have been building momentum and narrowing the gap with our competitors and the October addition of the all-wheel-drive 5 Series to our model lineup will help us keep that momentum through the end of the year."

BMW Brand Sales

Sales of BMW brand vehicles in September increased 21.1 percent for a total of 18,228 vehicles from the 15,047 units sold in September of last year. Year-to-date, BMW sales were up 9.2 percent to 157,464 vehicles from the 144,223 units sold in the same period of 2009.

In September, best performing vehicles included the 3 Series, up 37.1 percent to 8,945 units. The X5 and X6 continue to perform very well with an increase of 160.7 percent and 122.3 percent, respectively.

BMW Pre-Owned Vehicles

Sales of BMW?s used vehicles (including certified pre-owned and pre-owned) increased 14 percent to 13,540 vehicles from the 11,873 units sold in September last year. Year-to-date, used vehicle sales were up 6.4 percent to 126,601 vehicles from the 119,010 units sold in the same period of 2009.

MINI Brand Sales

MINI USA reported sales of 4,884 automobiles, an increase of 18.3 percent from the 4,128 cars sold last year. Year-to-date, MINI USA also reported sales of 34,588 automobiles, a decrease of 1.2 percent from the 34,996 units sold last year.

Gene

nice way of saying..."stop it" Rudy...