May 2006 3 Series Sales Report

FDMeloan · 06-01-2006, 04:08 PM

3 Series sales were up a mere 2.4% this May when compared to May, 2005. May also marks the first full year of sales of the new E90 3 Series 325i and 330i sedans in the United States. The first day of sale last year was Friday, May 6, 2005. However, YTD sales of the 3 Series for the first 5 months of 2006 were up 26.5% when compared to the same period of last year.

For comparison, Mercedes Benz sold 4,329 C Class units this month, down 0.7% from the 4,359 units sold last May. C Class YTD sales were down 14.0% for the first five months of 2005. Lexus sold 4,605 IS250/350 units this month.

Please note that I am report only the United States sales data.

foofighter · 06-01-2006, 04:27 PM

it totally helps that BMW has so many different variants of the 3 series so that it captures a lot of the niche

odd to see that the IS250/350 sales actually slip a bit.

roppongicorolla · 06-01-2006, 04:52 PM

May sales were horrible for most automakers. It probably doesn't hurt that the e90 has among the best EPA mileage ratings for 6 cyl 4 dr sedans.

chonko · 06-01-2006, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by foofighter

it totally helps that BMW has so many different variants of the 3 series so that it captures a lot of the niche

odd to see that the IS250/350 sales actually slip a bit.

Yep...Lexus IS250/350 May sales(4605 cars) was down 2.3% compared to April sales
BMW E90/91 May sales(8916 cars) was down 3.4% compared to April sales.

I don't think MB C class faired any better

But it is still interesting to note that BMW sold almost twice as many 3 series as the IS:1.93 times to exact.

The chart below shows some interesting trend - the data is taken from FDmeloan website

foofighter · 06-01-2006, 05:39 PM

i really think it has a lot to do w/ the fact that they offer the 3 series in so many versions.

The thing that strikes me as odd is that so many people not just on this board gripe about lexus not offering a manual bla bla bla but when i go to a BMW center you'd be lucky to find ONE manual tranny car and that they say we can get you a manual it would just take 9 weeks cuz you'd have to order it. So really the argument about lexus not offering a manual isnt really an argument at least out here in socal as most of the drivers that buy the 3 series are buying autos. So it boils down to the name plate

HiKai335i · 06-01-2006, 06:20 PM

Does anyone know if there are breakdowns by state? I live in Hawaii and to be honest I have been noticing more IS250/350s than E90s in my informal survey diriving to and from work. Didn't the E90 have a head start? I seem to notice more infinitis and Lexus' than BMWs generally. I see a lot of Jags too. I rarely see 5 series, which is fine with me. Maybe it's because we have such a rotten dealership - BMW of Honolulu, aka No Aloha of Honolulu. I had my E60 shipped in from BMW of Fremont and don't regret it. No haggling and no bs, just a rock bottom price. I save over $2,000 doing it that way. I will do the same when the 335i coupe comes out.

marie-louise · 06-01-2006, 10:31 PM

I am amazed at how few Sports Wagons are sold. I knew they weren't that common, but the number surprised me.

06-01-2006, 04:27 PM	#2
foofighter Captain 66 Rep 840 Posts Drives: 2017 TRD Off Road 4r - 2018 M3 Join Date: May 2006 Location: The OC iTrader: (1)	it totally helps that BMW has so many different variants of the 3 series so that it captures a lot of the niche odd to see that the IS250/350 sales actually slip a bit.
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06-01-2006, 04:52 PM	#3
roppongicorolla all systems are go 2 Rep 157 Posts Drives: 325i SG SPP Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Lake Jackson, Texas iTrader: (0)	May sales were horrible for most automakers. It probably doesn't hurt that the e90 has among the best EPA mileage ratings for 6 cyl 4 dr sedans.
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06-01-2006, 05:39 PM	#5
foofighter Captain 66 Rep 840 Posts Drives: 2017 TRD Off Road 4r - 2018 M3 Join Date: May 2006 Location: The OC iTrader: (1)	i really think it has a lot to do w/ the fact that they offer the 3 series in so many versions. The thing that strikes me as odd is that so many people not just on this board gripe about lexus not offering a manual bla bla bla but when i go to a BMW center you'd be lucky to find ONE manual tranny car and that they say we can get you a manual it would just take 9 weeks cuz you'd have to order it. So really the argument about lexus not offering a manual isnt really an argument at least out here in socal as most of the drivers that buy the 3 series are buying autos. So it boils down to the name plate
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06-01-2006, 06:20 PM	#6
HiKai335i Registered 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: 530i Join Date: May 2006 Location: Hawaii iTrader: (0)	Does anyone know if there are breakdowns by state? I live in Hawaii and to be honest I have been noticing more IS250/350s than E90s in my informal survey diriving to and from work. Didn't the E90 have a head start? I seem to notice more infinitis and Lexus' than BMWs generally. I see a lot of Jags too. I rarely see 5 series, which is fine with me. Maybe it's because we have such a rotten dealership - BMW of Honolulu, aka No Aloha of Honolulu. I had my E60 shipped in from BMW of Fremont and don't regret it. No haggling and no bs, just a rock bottom price. I save over $2,000 doing it that way. I will do the same when the 335i coupe comes out. Last edited by HiKai335i; 06-01-2006 at 07:22 PM..
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06-01-2006, 10:31 PM	#7
marie-louise Enlisted Member 3 Rep 42 Posts Drives: 325i Join Date: May 2006 Location: Oakland, CA iTrader: (0)	I am amazed at how few Sports Wagons are sold. I knew they weren't that common, but the number surprised me. __________________ 325i Arctic w/ Beige leather & Poplar Trim; Premium Package/ Sports Package; Manual transmission; Xenon headlights; iDrive; heated seats, Comfort Access, Park Assist Ordered 5/3; picked up at SF Bay Area dealer 6/28 (55 days)
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