US sales: December 2006: Audi, BMW, MB, VW, Porsche

[EnI]

Audi


Audi: 11,897 (+34.6%) ... Total 2006: 90,116 (+8.5%)



AUDI ANNOUNCES RECORD U.S. SALES DURING 2006

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – Audi of America, Inc. set sales records during December 2006 and for the calendar year 2006, eclipsing the previous annual sales high set three years ago. Audi sold 11,897 vehicles in December, bringing the brand’s annual total sales to 90,116.

Audi’s December 2006 record sales were 34.6% ahead of year-ago sales. The calendar year sales represented an 8.5% increase over 2005.

Late in the day on Saturday, December 30, Miami-based Audi dealership The Collection recorded the record-breaking sale. The pervious annual sales record was 86,421.

“2006 was a fantastic year for Audi,” stated Johan de Nysschen, Executive Vice President of Audi of America, Inc. “We set an all-time sales record, opened our 100th exclusive dealership, attained class-leading residuals for our volume models, made great strides in customer satisfaction, and had very successful launches for our Audi Q7, A4 and S4 Cabriolets, and S6 and S8 models.”

The record-setting year was aided by strong sales of the A3, A4, and Audi Q7 models. The A4/S4 model line, Audi’s largest selling model in the United States, saw a 1.9% increase over the previous year with 49,862 sales. The A3, introduced in 2005, had an increase of 49.2%. The Audi Q7, introduced in June of 2006, sold 10,003 units for the year.

Regionally, the Miami area market set records for the month of December, as well as during each of the four quarters and for the calendar year. The four Miami-based dealers – The Collection (Coral Gables, Fla.), Champion Audi (Coral Springs, Fla.), Prestige Imports (North Miami, Fla.), and Champion Audi (Pompano Beach, Fla.). – were all top 10 sales leaders nationally for Audi.

Audi’s de Nysschen feels that 2007 will be another fast-paced year for the brand. “2007 looks to be just as exciting,” said de Nysschen. “Several dealers will complete Audi-exclusive dealerships and we’ll launch several highly anticipated vehicles, including the R8, TT, and A5 models. This will be the ‘Year of Emotion’ for Audi in America.”

More ...

 

[EnI]

BMW


BMW: 30,945 (+16.9%) ... Total 2006: 274,432 (+3.1%)

MINI: 2,472 (+1.5%) ... Total 2006: 39,171 (-4.0%)

BMW Group: 33,417 (+15.6%) ... Total 2006: 313,603 (+2.1%)



BMW Group Reports Strongest Year Ever

Monthly BMW Brand Sales Jump 17 Percent, Topping 30,000 for First Time

WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J., Jan. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- The BMW Group in the U.S.
(BMW and MINI brands combined) today reported its best-ever annual sales of
313,603 vehicles, an increase of 2.1 percent above the 307,020 vehicles
sold in 2005. December sales of 33,417, an all-time monthly high, were up
16 percent over the 28,900 vehicles reported in the last month of 2005.

BMW Brand Sales
BMW brand sales were up 3 percent year-to-date, to 274,432 vehicles
compared to 266,200 vehicles sold during 2005.
BMW brand sales jumped 17 percent in December for a total of 30,945
vehicles compared to 26,464 reported in the same month a year ago.
"New products across a broad range of the BMW brand offerings fueled
the record increase in sales," according to Tom Purves, chairman and CEO of
BMW (US) Holding Corp. BMW models introduced this year include the 3 Series
Coupe, the X3 and X5 Sports Activity Vehicles, several new M brand models
and the new Z4 Coupe.

BMW Automobile Sales
Calendar year sales of BMW brand automobiles were up 9.4 percent, to
216,343 automobiles over 197,833 in the same period of 2005. Monthly
automobile sales increased 20 percent in December to 24,535 cars versus
20,510 in the same month a year ago.

BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Sales
Sales of BMW Sports Activity Vehicles were up 7.7 percent for the month
to 6,410 vehicles over the 5,954 sold in the same month last year. Annual
sales of BMW Sports Activity Vehicles were down 15 percent, to 58,089
vehicles compared to the 68,367 sold in the same period in 2005. The
all-new 2007 BMW X5 went on sale November 24th, and the sales numbers
reflect the inventory levels associated with the model changeover.
6,486 vehicles reported in December of 2005.

MINI Brand Sales
MINI USA reported a 1.5 percent increase in December sales, to 2,472
cars compared to 2,436 cars sold in the same period a year ago. The
division reported annual sales of 39,171 automobiles, a drop of 4 percent,
compared to the 40,820 cars reported in 2005, reflecting factory shutdowns
for production upgrades and model changeovers.

More ...

 

[EnI]

Mercedes - Benz


MB: 28,115 (-9.9%) ... Total 2006: 248,080* (+10.5%) *incl. SLR (141 units) & Maybach (146 units)



Mercedes-Benz Rings in the New Year with Record Sales

MBUSA Achieves All-Time Sales Record with Sales of 248,080 for 2006

MONTVALE, N.J., Jan. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- December sales of 28,115 boosted
Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) to its 13th year of sales increases and the
highest annual volume in its history. MBUSA sold 248,080 vehicles in 2006,
a 10.5 percent increase over the 224,421 units sold in 2005.
The company introduced six new SUV models in 2006, including the highly
acclaimed GL-Class -- the first European seven-passenger SUV which was
recently voted Motor Trend's SUV of the Year -- and diesel versions of its
ML- Class, R-Class and GL-Class, offering higher gas mileage to luxury SUV
buyers. The Mercedes-Benz SUVs were so well received that the company saw a
67.7 percent jump in sales of its light trucks as a group (ML-, R-, G-, and
GL- Classes) compared to 2005 (69,163 vs. 41,252).
Sales at the high-end were equally impressive. As a group, the S-, SL-
and CL-Classes rose by 48.2 percent compared to last year (40,660 vs.
27,436), boosted by the introduction of the flagship S-Class in February.
Sales of the S-Class model line nearly doubled in 2006 with a 92.6 percent
increase.
Sales of vehicles in the Mercedes-Benz diesel portfolio -- both CDI and
BLUETEC models -- grew from 4,299 units in 2005 to 6,941 units in 2006,
posting a 61.5 percent increase. Known for being a leader in diesel
innovation and engineering, Mercedes-Benz expanded its diesel offerings in
the fourth quarter of 2006 to include SUVs (ML-Class CDI, R-Class CDI, and
GL- Class CDI), and also introduced the cleanest diesel technology
available in a passenger car through the E320 BLUETEC. The company plans to
expand its BLUETEC range to bring 50-state diesels to the U.S. market in
2008.
DECEMBER SALES
MBUSA sold 28,115 vehicles in December 2006, marking the second-highest
sales month in MBUSA history -- second only to December 2005, the best
MBUSA sales month ever.
The top-of-the-line vehicles -- the S-Class sedan and CL-Class coupe --
each recorded impressive gains in sales volume for the month. Sales of the
ninth generation S-Class rose 56.2 percent (2,987 vs. 1,912 units) and the
CL- Class jumped 77 percent (347 vs. 196 units).
The sales volume leader for the month, the E-Class model line, gained
12.3 percent with 7,116 units sold compared to December 2005's 6,334 units.

More ...

 

[EnI]

Volskwagen


VW: 19,942 (-23.2%) ... Total 2006: 235,140 (+4.9%)



VOLKSWAGEN REPORTS DECEMBER 2006 SALES

Volkswagen brand posts year-to-date increase of 4.9 percent

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Volkswagen of America, Inc. today announced calendar year 2006 sales results of 235,140 units. This represents a 4.9 percent increase over the 2005 total of 224,195 vehicles.

Overall brand growth can be attributed to gathering strength in Jetta and Passat models, and market acceptance of the revived Rabbit. December sales of 19,942 decreased 23.2 percent from December 2005 totals.

Year-to-date, the safe and sporty Jetta and Passat sedans were up 3.2 and 15 percent, respectively. The combination of fun-to-drive handling and performance, with class leading safety, at affordable “Volks-pricing” has driven the growth of these models.

The iconic New Beetle coupe ended the year with sales of 18,166 units, a healthy 6.8 percent over 2005 sales results.

More ...

 

[EnI]

Porsche


Porsche: 2,850 (-0.4%) ... Total 2006: 34,227 (+7.2%)



Porsche Reports Record Sales For 2006

ATLANTA-(Business Wire)-January 3, 2007 - Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (PCNA), importer and distributor of Porsche sports cars and Cayenne SUVs in the United States and Canada, today announced that its 2006 sales established a new historical record in North America. PCNA sold 36,095 cars in North America, an increase of 7 percent over 2005 when the company sold 33,859 cars. 2006 was the third consecutive record-breaking sales year of Porsche cars in North America.

The strength of Porsche sales in the U.S. and Canada was led by its sport car models, which saw an overall increase in sales of 30 percent in 2006. The mid-engine sports cars, Boxster and Cayman, totaled 12,163 for 2006, an increase of 46 percent. 911 sales set an all-time record with a 2006 total of 12,702.

For the month of December, PCNA sold 2,850 new cars in the United States (see chart below), on par with the previous year when sales were 2,861. For the year, PCNA also set another consecutive record in the United States, with sales of 34,227 cars compared to the previous high of 31,933 in 2005, an increase of 7 percent.

"2006's sales result is especially gratifying with the Cayenne in its fourth model year and the new one to be revealed next week at the Detroit Auto Show and then launched at dealerships in March," said Peter Schwarzenbauer, PCNA President and CEO. "The strong momentum of our sports car sales sustained our continued growth, with the 911 enjoying its most successful sales year ever."

More ...

 

[EnI]

Highlights:

BMW:
December ... 3er, 5er, Z4 & X3 sharply up; 6er, 7er & X5 (low inventories!) down
2006 ... 3er, 5er, Z4, X3 up; 6er, 7er, X5 down

Volkswagen:
December ... all models sharply down, except Rabbit & Eos - new models N/A last December
2006 ... Passat & Golf GTI/R32 up, other models down; Rabbit & Eos up since they were N/A in 2005

Porsche:
December ... Boxster/Cayman & 911 up, Cayenne down
2006 ... Boxster/Cayman & 911 up, Cayenne down

Mercedes - Benz:
December ... all models down, except E, S & CL; GL being a new model n/a in Dec 2005.
2006 ... all models down (incl SLR & Maybach), except S, R & GL (GL was n/a in 2005)

Audi:
December ... all models down, except A4; Q7 n/a in Dec 2005 (2,321 units sold in Dec 2006)
2006 ... A6, A8 & TT down, A3 & A4 up; Q7 n/a in 2005;

***

Lexus: 37,235 (+9.9%) ... Total 2006: 322,434 (+6.8%) More ...

 

[Matt530i]

BMW Sales by segment:

3-Series: 120,180 (+12.4%)
5-Series: 56,756 (+7.7%)
6-Series: 9,322 (-6.2%)
7-Series: 17,796 (-2.0%)
Z4: 12,284 (+22.3%)
Z8: 5 (-70.6%)
X3: 31,291 (+1.7%)
X5: 26,798 (-28.7%)
Total: 274,432 (+3.1%)

 

[PanterroR]

BMW Group Reports Strongest Year Ever

Enough said!

Well deserved, kudos BMW!!!

Don't care how much others sold when i see this. It's good for BMW and that's what matters!

 

[Merc1]

There is a some a disappointment with MB's numbers, they should have easily blew past last year's numbers. The new C can't come fast enough!

M

 

[Centurion]

BMW Sales by segment:

3-Series: 120,180 (+12.4%)
5-Series: 56,756 (+7.7%)
6-Series: 9,322 (-6.2%)
7-Series: 17,796 (-2.0%)
Z4: 12,284 (+22.3%)
Z8: 5 (-70.6%)
X3: 31,291 (+1.7%)
X5: 26,798 (-28.7%)
Total: 274,432 (+3.1%)

Z8? Whaaat, is the car still in production?

 

[Merc1]

Just left over dealer stock that was sold off, no brand new Z8s came in for 2006 past Jan-Feb.

M

 

[Matt530i]

I think they must still have a few unsold from 2001 or 2002. A car is considered to be new if it has less than 1,000 km on the odometer in Canada and title hasn't changed more than once. Perhaps the US has a similar rule.

 

[RikfromBelgium]

There is a some a disappointment with MB's numbers, they should have easily blew past last year's numbers. The new C can't come fast enough!

M

that's what I've been saying all along. They're good, but they should be way better with all those FL and new cars. But hey, if I say it I'm a fanboy

 

[EnI]

You should know all German car makers give priority to European markets over US market these days - eg. if there is a big demand (bigger than supply) for a certain model, Euro markets have priority, while US market gets less units. Why? Because European sales are more profitable than US sale - due Euro / Dollar exchange rate. So sometimes lower US sales are artificially caused - in favor of European sales increase. A method of financial correction.

 

[Zafiro]

When are we seeing total sales 2006 (sales for the whole year) for the germans?

 

[EnI]

When are we seeing total sales 2006 (sales for the whole year) for the germans?

You mean worldwide 2006 total sales?

Later this week (Friday), or earlier next week (Monday).

Will post the numbers when I get them.

 

[Zafiro]

You mean worldwide 2006 total sales?

Later this week (Friday), or earlier next week (Monday).

Will post the numbers when I get them.

yes I did, thanks for answering..

 

[Matt530i]

Let's move on to how we think next year might shape up. I figure that BMW should post a sales increase in the US for 2007. The FL on the 5er and a full year of E70 X5 should boost sales with most other models either flat or modest increases. I think we'll see the 7er sales start to drop off unless it's supported by incentives.

I haven't been following what MB and Audi have in the pipeline for 2007 so I'm not sure what will happen with them. MB should see an increase with C-Class sales once that hits the US though.

 

[Ultimate Car Guy]

Yeah, i think BMWs timing with the 5er FL and the launch of the new X5 will be perfect for 2007. I know that the new 3er Convertible will come along with the new M3 so that should put the halo on the 3er range.

I'm worried about the current 7er though. The product is really starting the sales decline as it fades away to make way for the new 2008 model.

Porsche should have a reasonable year as the FL Cayenne should lift sales for the company.

 

[Merc1]

what the hell, you totally forgot you said it yourself or what?

Let me know when you have a useful comment.

M