By the Numbers - March 2009: Ain't No Joke Edition

[Bartek S.]

BY THE NUMBERS - March 2009
Brand Vol. % Change Total Sales 3/09 Total Sales 3/08 DSR* % Change Daily Avg. 3/09 Daily Avg. 3/08

Acura-32.2% 9,005 13,288 -29.5% 360 511

Audi -19.4% 6,433 7,986 -16.2% 257 307

BMW -24.2% 17,520 23,115 -21.2% 701 889

Buick -40.2% 7,369 12,317 -37.8% 295 474

Cadillac -53.0% 8,209 17,453 -51.1% 328 671

Chevrolet -42.5% 94,704 164,564 -40.1% 3,788 6,329

Chrysler -51.9% 19,502 40,539 -50.0% 780 1,559

Dodge -32.8% 57,728 85,906 -30.1% 2,309 3,304

Ford -41.7% 109,490 187,828 -39.4% 4,380 7,224

GMC -50.3% 19,086 38,422 -48.3% 763 1,476

Honda -36.7% 79,374 125,446 -34.2% 3,175 4,825

HUMMER -75.9% 831 3,451 -75.0% 33 133

Hyundai -4.8% 40,721 42,796 -1.0% 1,629 1,646

Infiniti -47.6% 7,242 13,821 -45.5% 290 532

Jeep -40.5% 23,771 39,941 -38.1% 951 1,536

Kia -0.6% 24,724 24,871 3.4% 989 957

Lexus -42.9% 14,239 24,939 -40.6% 570 959

Lincoln -33.0% 7,310 10,913 -30.3% 292 420

Mazda -33.3% 21,974 32,929 -30.6% 879 1,267

Mercedes -25.0% 15,602 20,808 -22.0% 624 800

Mercury -42.0% 8,307 14,333 -39.7% 332 551

MINI -15.9% 3,605 4,289 -12.6% 144 165

Mitsubishi -57.0% 4,620 10,750 -55.3% 185 413

Nissan -36.2% 59,392 93,100 -33.7% 2,376 3,581

Pontiac -30.8% 17,583 25,417 -28.0% 703 978

Porsche -29.1% 1,749 2,467 -26.3% 70 95

Saab -57.3% 1,265 2,962 -55.6% 51 114

Saturn -59.6% 7,333 18,146 -58.0% 293 698

Subaru -2.6% 16,249 16,685 1.3% 650 642
Suzuki -24.0% 7,981 10,510 -21.0% 319 404

Toyota -38.5% 118,563 192,791 -36.0% 4,743 7,416

VW -19.7% 15,720 19,587 -16.5% 629 753

Volvo -31.4% 6,358 9,263 -28.6% 254 356

COMPANIES
BMW Group -22.9% 21,125 27,404 -19.8% 845 1,054
Chrysler LLC -39.3% 101,001 166,386 -36.9% 4,040 6,399
FoMoCo -40.9% 131,465 222,337 -38.5% 5,259 8,551
General Motors -44.7% 156,380 282,732 -42.5% 6,255 10,874
Honda America -36.3% 88,379 138,734 -33.7% 3,535 5,336
Nissan NA -37.7% 66,634 106,921 -35.2% 2,665 4,112
Toyota Mo Co -39.0% 132,802 217,730 -36.6% 5,312 8,374

 

[Centurion]

Ze Germans are holding out best.

RIP Hummer

 

[bmer]

Subaru is doing surprisingly well. Anyone know the reason why?

 

[Merc1]

Long as Mercedes continues to outsell Lexus month by month I'm happy.

The GLK is now Mercedes' best selling SUV. CL only sold 68 units....youch! Only the G sold less units at 44.

M

 

[LaArtist]

CL is a monster starts aboove 100K and smallest engine is a 5.5l V8 with 388hp..
No one expects it to sell like hot cake..

and its in for a Fl

 

[Merc1]

Well it did sell like hotcakes for a while....but someone has pushed it over a cliff...!

M

 

[Gullwing]

Here is the list of companies that sold more this March then last March:
1.
2.
3.
Long list

 

[Bartek S.]

 

[Bartek S.]

BMW GROUP U.S. DIVISION REPORTS MARCH 2009 SALES04/01/2009 BMW Group sales in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) down by 22.9 percent. Jim O’Donnell: “Sales stronger than expected, but no celebrating.”
Woodcliff Lake, NJ - April 1, 2009... The BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) reported March sales of 21,125 vehicles, a decrease of 22.9 percent over the 27,404 vehicles sold in the same month of 2008. For the first quarter, The BMW Group also reported a year-to-date sales volume of 51,244 vehicles, down 25.2 percent, compared to 68,529 vehicles sold in the same period a year ago.

BMW Brand Sales
Sales of BMW brand vehicles decreased 24.2 percent in March for a total of 17,520 vehicles compared to 23,115 vehicles reported in the same month a year ago. Year-to-date, BMW brand sales were down 26.8 percent, to 42,731 vehicles compared to 58,365 vehicles sold in the same period of 2008.

“In March, we saw a mixed cocktail of good, bad and ugly signals in the market and for us, I'm happy to say we're starting to see a bit more of the good,” said Jim O’Donnell, President of BMW of North America, LLC. "Our sales were stronger than expected back at the beginning of the month and a bit of spring lift puts us in the premium market lead in March and the first quarter as well. No celebrating, however, because further loosening of the credit reins is needed to see even more buying action."

Over the next months, BMW of North America expects sales to be bolstered by new products coming to market. The fifth generation of the BMW 7 Series went on sale in the U.S. in March and the new BMW Z4 will arrive at U.S. dealerships in May.

See additional video commentary by Wayne Orchowski, Vice-President, BMW Sales, BMW of North America, LLC, regarding BMW’s performance in March.

BMW Automobile Sales
BMW’s automobile sales are down 23.2 percent in March to 14,767 versus 19,231 in the same month of 2008. Year-to-date sales also decreased 25.8 percent, to 34,240 automobiles compared to 46,153 in the first three months 2008.

BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Sales
Sales of BMW Sports Activity Vehicles decreased 29.1 percent in March to 2,753 vehicles over the 3,884 sold in the same month a year ago. Year-to-date, sales of BMW Sports Activity Vehicles were down 30.5 percent, to 8,491 vehicles compared to 12,212 sold in the same period a year ago.

MINI Brand Sales
MINI USA reported sales of 3,605 automobiles, down 15.9 percent from the 4,289 cars sold in March 2008. For the first quarter, MINI USA also reported sales of 8,513 automobiles, a decrease of 16.2 percent, compared to the 10,164 cars reported in March 2008.

"Like the swallows from Capistrano, we're seeing March bring some life to our segment," said Jim McDowell, Vice-President of MINI USA. "MINI sales are still tracking below last year but the gap has remained stable throughout the first quarter, and more people are configuring cars on the internet – all signs of cautious optimism that the traditional spring lift will happen again this year.”

The new MINI Cooper and Cooper S Convertible are the latest additions to MINI’s product line-up in the U.S. Both products arrived at MINI dealerships last month. This month, the MINI John Cooper Works Convertible follows.

Table: Sales BMW of North America, LLC, March 2009


March 2009
March
2008
%
YTD
2009
YTD 2008
%
BMW brand

17,520
23,115
-24.2
42,731
58,365
-26.8
BMW passenger cars

14,767
19,231
-23.2
34,240
46,153
-25.8
BMW light trucks
(SAVs)
2,753
3,884
-29.1
8,491
12,212
-30.5
MINI brand

3,605
4,289
-15.9
8,513
10,164
-16.2
TOTAL Group

21,125
27,404
-22.9
51,244
68,529
-25.2

BMW Group In America
BMW of North America, LLC has been present in the United States since 1975. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars NA, LLC began distributing vehicles in 2003. The BMW Group in the United States has grown to include marketing, sales, and financial service organizations for the BMW brand of motor vehicles, including motorcycles, the MINI brand, and the Rolls-Royce brand of Motor Cars; DesignworksUSA, a strategic design consultancy in California; a technology office in Silicon Valley and various other operations throughout the country. BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC in South Carolina is part of BMW Group’s global manufacturing network and is the exclusive manufacturing plant for all X5 Sports Activity Vehicles and X6 Sports Activity Coupes. The BMW Group sales organization is represented in the U.S. through networks of 338 BMW passenger car centers, 335 BMW Sports Activity Vehicle centers, 142 BMW motorcycle retailers, 83 MINI passenger car dealers, and 30 Rolls-Royce Motor Car dealers. BMW (US) Holding Corp., the BMW Group’s sales headquarters for North America, is located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.

 

[EnI]

Ouch! ... Without brand new Q5 Audi would be even in much deeper red numbers.

 

[far2000]

The CL and R class are currently Mercs Sour Grapesa..Luckily the GLK is doing well...Could we see the GLK Line Saving Merc in USA this year? especially if it can gather sales like the C Class..Just hope the new E class has a blast off Start......

 

[Bartek S.]

BMW Group Canada sales up 7% for March.04/01/2009 Whitby, Ontario. BMW Group Canada (BMW and MINI Brands combined) sales increased 7% for March 2009, representing 2,018 vehicle sales. Year-to-date sales for BMW Group Canada are 4,324 units, down 5% compared to the same period last year.
BMW Brand: March Sales Increase 8%.

The BMW brand retailed 1,711 units, up 8% over March 2008. Year-to-date, 3,781 BMWs have been retailed, a slight decrease of 1% compared to the same period last year.

MINI Brand: MINI sales up 4% in March.

In March, there were 307 MINIs sold, up 4% compared to March 2008. Year to date, 543 MINIs have been sold, down 22% compared to the same period in 2008.

BMW Motorrad: Record March Motorcycle sales.

BMW Motorrad Canada set a March sales record of 168 units, which is a sales increase of 124% compared to March 2008 sales. Year-to-date, sales are up 138% to 236 units compared to the same period last year.

BMW Pre-Owned: Best ever March sales for BMW Certified Series Pre-Owned.

The BMW Certified Pre-Owned division posted record March sales. BMW Certified Series Pre-Owned sales increased 42% to 785 units compared to March 2008. Total BMW Pre-Owned sales were up 41% to 909 units in March.

Year-to-date, total BMW Pre-Owned sales are up 30%, with 2,250 units sold. Of those, 1,928 units were BMW Certified Series Pre-Owned sales, which are up 33% compared to the same period last year.

MINI Pre-Owned: Record March MINI Pre-Owned Sales.

Total MINI Pre-Owned vehicle sales are up 34% in March compared to March 2008 with 79 units sold. Of those units, 50 were MINI NEXT Certified Pre-Owned units, up 14% compared to March 2008. Year-to-date MINI pre-owned sales are up 20% to 185 units compared to the same period in 2008. Of those sales, 113 were MINI NEXT Certified Pre-Owned sales, an increase of 10% compared to the same period last year.

BMW Group Canada, based in Whitby, Ontario, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BMW AG and is responsible for the distribution of BMW luxury performance automobiles, Sports Activity Vehicles, Motorcycles, and MINI. BMW Group Financial Services Canada is a division of BMW Group Canada and offers retail financing and leasing programs and protection products on new and pre-owned BMW and MINI automobiles, as well as retail financing for new and pre-owned BMW Motorcycles. A total network of 40 BMW automobile retail centres, 19 BMW motorcycle retailers, and 25 MINI retailers represents the BMW Group across the country.

 

[siko]

Mercedes-Benz Canada reports best March and strongest first quarter ever

TORONTO, ON– Mercedes-Benz Canada reported today that a record-breaking total of 2,393 Mercedes-Benz and smart units were registered for the month. This represents the best ever combined March sales for Mercedes-Benz and smart, and a 16.4% gain over last year. With 2,181 vehicles delivered to customers, the Mercedes-Benz side reported a record sales growth and an increase of 26.0%. A total of 212 smart fortwo units were retailed for the month.

At the end of the first quarter, combined sales for Mercedes-Benz and smart totaled a record-breaking 5,221 units making it the strongest first quarter ever, pushing year-to-date growth to 9.9%. Mercedes-Benz sales accounted for a 19.6% gain in the first quarter.

Very strong B-Class, C-Class, E-Class, SLK-Class, SL-Class, GLK-Class and M-Class model sales played a significant role in March’s overall success. With an impressive 736 vehicles retailed for the month, the C-Class continued to be a top pick for Canadian buyers. The SLK-Class and SL-Class March results were a clear indication that many customers are more than ready for open-top driving. Led by extraordinary interest in the all-new GLK-Class and sustained appeal in the M-Class, GL-Class and R-Class, the luxury light truck side also reported continued growth in March with 784 units or a 85.3% increase in sales.

The diesel sales ratio was 51.3% for the month, while permanent all-wheel drive 4MATIC™ units accounted for 75.7% of the overall passenger car and light truck sales (excluding smart). On the pre-owned side, the company reported 661 vehicles delivered for the month of March, on par with last year’s March sales. Pre-owned sales for the first quarter amounted to 1,515 units. “The remarkable record-breaking first quarter results are directly and proportionately related to everyone’s hard work in our dealerships and corporate offices over the course of the last three months,” said Marcus Breitschwerdt, President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Canada. “I am extremely proud that we have been able to maintain last year’s exceptional momentum. The first quarter is usually the toughest of the year and to start 2009 on such a positive note is very rewarding on all fronts. We are grateful that Canadians continue to embrace Mercedes-Benz products with such enthusiasm and passion. As we enter the second quarter of 2009, we will continue to fervently promote our highly desirable products, our compelling value proposition and our very competitive offers. ”

About Mercedes-Benz Canada
Mercedes-Benz Canada is responsible for the sales, marketing and service of the four brands within the Mercedes Car Group in Canada; Mercedes-Benz, smart, AMG and Maybach. Headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Mercedes-Benz Canada employs approximately 1,050 people in 19 locations across Canada. Through a nationwide network of 14 Mercedes-Benz owned retail operations and 36 authorized dealerships, Mercedes-Benz Canada sold 24,117 vehicles in 2008, the best year ever reported for Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc.

 

[Yperion]

Ouch! ... Without brand new Q5 Audi would be even in much deeper red numbers.

Audi this...Audi that...BMW marketing department has an obsession with their neighbours it seems...

 

[Merc1]

Actually, percentage wise Audi did better at stopping the bleeding than either Mercedes or BMW.

M

 

[EnI]

BMW marketing department has an obsession with their neighbours it seems...

This was my personal observation ... Nothing to do with BMW marketing dept.

 

[Tarek]

Audi is doin surprisingly good..

J/K

 

[ZicZachZo]

Excellent news for the GLK. Throw some more engine choices MBUSA!