BMW UK remove all used 1M cars from AUC locator

[kmpowell]

As per the thread title, BMW UK have contacted all UK dealers and told them to remove any 'used' 1M cars they have displayed for sale on there, and also cease from adding any others. They also issued a "slap on the wrist" for dealers who had advertised any cars.

I do not have the reason why, but this happened as of 4pm yesterday afternoon and was instantaneous of the request.

[as7920]

Interesting move. Hopefully truth will out. Very intriguing.

[TunedM2C]

A tactic sometimes used by dealers is selling a new car, title it, buy it back and then sell it used at a larger "market adjustment" price. It's a loophole of sorts.

[Dackelone]

I think BMW is worried about what they experience with the Z4M sitting on dealer lots and word getting out about huge rebates.

[Turbo Power]

It doesn't look good for BMW if more used 1M's start appearing on their approved website when they still have over 150 cars to sell. I think it will stay this way untill all of the 450 that are coming into the UK have sold.

[as7920]

Well if BMW UK insists dealers take a demo car a few months ago and noone is buying them, what is the dealer supposed to do?

[cc3]

I understand from my dealer phone lines were hot after Clarkson did his review on Top Gear last Sunday

Dealers I think have tried to blag a few extra cars and BMW have clamped down on them. Unlike the US they don't like them selling them over list and all manufacturers control spare cars coming to the Market to maintain values. Will be good news for all of us in the UK who are buying one as values should stay high.

[kmpowell]

So, I rang BMW Cs this morning to find out why. The guy on the phone said:

"We are aware of a communication that went out to dealers regarding the 1M, but we do not know what was contained in it. When a dealer is told to remove a specific car, they are given a reason, so the dealer in question should have that reason on record and be able to tell you. I suggest you contact the Dealer Sales Manager for further information. I'm sorry I cannot be much more help."

[as7920]

Media Relations Manager at BMW Group UK Limited Gavin Ward suggests 30 units left on Twitter this morning.

[kmpowell]

I think I've gotten to the bottom of this! I spent some time researching yesterday, ringing the dealers that had the cars listed.

I must stress that this is my personal assumptions based on what I found out from my phone calls, not necessarily fact!

From what I can gather the cars that were listed on the AUC were dealer principle cars (cars belonging to the likes of Steve Soper etc). If you rang up for one of these cars, what you weren't told is that they would be sold to you outside of the BMW AUC scheme.

The dealers are/were speculating and have had a slap on the wrist and told to cease immediately!

[Ky1M]

Originally Posted by kmpowell

As per the thread title, BMW UK have contacted all UK dealers and told them to remove any 'used' 1M cars they have displayed for sale on there, and also cease from adding any others. They also issued a "slap on the wrist" for dealers who had advertised any cars.

I do not have the reason why, but this happened as of 4pm yesterday afternoon and was instantaneous of the request.

I just saw one listed on eBay motors UK .

[Denso]

Originally Posted by 1of690

I just saw one listed on eBay motors UK .

It is not from BMW AUC, looks like a broker/private dealer. Its not cheap either at £41,500 + 20% VAT = £49,800

[Secretsalesmanager]

Originally Posted by kmpowell

I think I've gotten to the bottom of this! I spent some time researching yesterday, ringing the dealers that had the cars listed.

I must stress that this is my personal assumptions based on what I found out from my phone calls, not necessarily fact!

From what I can gather the cars that were listed on the AUC were dealer principle cars (cars belonging to the likes of Steve Soper etc). If you rang up for one of these cars, what you weren't told is that they would be sold to you outside of the BMW AUC scheme.

The dealers are/were speculating and have had a slap on the wrist and told to cease immediately!

No it is nothing to do with the AUC programme. The car has MF warranty for 3 years anyhow. Its simply that there is no need to advertise these cars when there are still unsold new ones. Generally BMW only pay a demo bonus to the dealer after 3m and 1000 miles of use - however there is no demo bonus on the 1M so dealers started advertising cars for sale. Its as others have already said - market control to prevent prices dropping - and for anyone buying a new one, its good news as depreciation will be slower. Also there is a risk that specialists could buy up all of the demos and then sell them for an even higher price. There is nothing sinister in all this, that I am sure of.