US 1-series production cut!

[Jack in Jax]

This reduction in allocation has been mentioned here multiple times before; this just sounds to me like further confirmation.

If you have ordered a 1'er (or other European car, perish the thought...) and want to feel especially smug, you can embrace these two thoughts:
-- there is a good deal of forecasting right now, from multiple sources and for some time now, which expects the dollar will continue to weaken; yes, that's right - even further. When we first planned to move to Europe, in Fall of 2002, the Euro was worth $.87 USD. When we arrived in the EU (mid-2003) the Pound was ~1.70 and the Euro 1.22. When we left this past November, they were 2.00+ and 1.50 respectively...so the trend the last few years has consistently supported the forecast.
-- the 'big one', according to many, is when oil will begin being priced in multiple currencies or an alternative currency. Altho' mostly psychological in nature, a huge correction in the U.S. dollar seems widely anticipated. And whether you were inside or outside OPEC, how would you like a barrel of your oil tied to the USD?

The 1 Series price right now might very much seem like the Good Ol' Days quite soon...

Jack

[joelk]

so true. if oil were to be widely traded in Euros instead of Dollars that would present a royal mess for the US. a scary mess.

not to mention the inflationary effects of diminishing oil supplies and increased consumption globally.

and a sluggish economy.

ugh i'm depressed ... oh wait ... my 1er is coming. nevermind.

[asv]

Between the limited production run, and the insanely high lease prices, our 135i/128i will be pretty damn rare, especially in 2008.

[mikeo]

Originally Posted by izzodesh

i know i have this evil idea to sell my 1er for profit
and invest that into EOG or auy
or maybe even the rising appl (3g phone coming in may or june)

then take the 10-15k and buy an m5 with a horrible amount to finance.


hmm thinking that aloud...sounds like a lot of work...


i will stick to my 1 8)

i will be packing bread and oatmeal and water for europe!

Dave, did you see that EOG is UP 21% today alone!!

Although I would miss the fine restuarants in Europe, I could be happy with a salami, good cheese, bagette, and a bottle of vin ordinaire consumed in one of many scenic spots. The Pollo Rotie (rotisserie chicken) in France is devine!

[Thud]

Originally Posted by asv

Between the limited production run, and the insanely high lease prices, our 135i/128i will be pretty damn rare, especially in 2008.

Wow, I'm going to be really paranoid to leave it parked at the airport now.

[E82tt6]

That explains the leasing numbers.

My car is already in production, and given the unusual colors and options, I'm not going to stick my dealer with it. They've scratched my back a few times before, so I'm just going to pay cash. I can justify it as a "significant unplanned expense"

[ulrichd]

"See you in Munchen, April 5th!"

Are you doing ED?
Ulrich

[GatoGrande]

Oh yeah !!! I like this problem... the fewer the better... let there be no doubt the dollar will rebound and recapture its role as the currency of international business. ( I hope ! )

[Dave]

Originally Posted by mikeo

Dave, did you see that EOG is UP 21% today alone!!

Although I would miss the fine restuarants in Europe, I could be happy with a salami, good cheese, bagette, and a bottle of vin ordinaire consumed in one of many scenic spots. The Pollo Rotie (rotisserie chicken) in France is devine!

i know!
but ultilities is killing me...only thing backing my portfolio is gold.

I lived in france (dijon for a summer) and miss le poulet

Best french in nyc...jean georges or jo jo
...but with a hefty tag you might as well fly to europe!

[Ringmeister]

10,000 cars is not that low production. I have an 04 R32 which they made 5000 and they sat on dealer lots and were discounted.

[E82tt6]

Originally Posted by ulrichd

"See you in Munchen, April 5th!"

Are you doing ED?
Ulrich

Yep. I'll be picking the car up at BMW Welt on April 5th.

[Rearro]

I guess as long as it doesn't turn in to the 318i hatchback, we'll be alright!!

[bigmicj]

I'm actually happy to read this (not about the dollar) because once the automag awards start to roll in for the 1 series, the true "Year 1 of the 1" cars will become Barrat-Jackson material.

I wouldn't be surprised if 2008 135s retained a higher value in the US.

[BMWhokie]

Originally Posted by Ringmeister

10,000 cars is not that low production. I have an 04 R32 which they made 5000 and they sat on dealer lots and were discounted.

Well with a lot of dealers filling in their allocations and the overall demand for the car, I don't think there are going to be a lot sitting in the lot.

[asv]

Originally Posted by Ringmeister

10,000 cars is not that low production. I have an 04 R32 which they made 5000 and they sat on dealer lots and were discounted.

10000 = total 1 series: 128i+135i sedans and verts.

The R32 is just a special edition of an existing car, so 5000 is a lot.

[NOLEimit]

Originally Posted by asv

10000 = total 1 series: 128i+135i sedans and verts.

The R32 is just a special edition of an existing car, so 5000 is a lot.

Not true on the R32. Its an entirely different car, shares hardly anything mechanically with any other VW. Its like saying the M3 is just a special edition 330. A lot more going on, than some crafty marketing on both those cars.

I'll admit that selling 5k R32s was much tougher for VW.. Tough to find enough buyers to spend $30k on a golf. For those of us who did though, we are enjoying knowing that we can still trade in our 4 year old Golfs for $21k

I think selling 10,000 1 series will be pretty easy for BMW, especially when you factor in the break out. Question is, how many will change their mind and go for the 3 series when it gets down to crunch time.

[Templedogg]

Originally Posted by asv

10000 = total 1 series: 128i+135i sedans and verts.

The R32 is just a special edition of an existing car, so 5000 is a lot.

Exactly

[Ringmeister]

Originally Posted by NOLEimit

Not true on the R32. Its an entirely different car, shares hardly anything mechanically with any other VW. Its like saying the M3 is just a special edition 330. A lot more going on, than some crafty marketing on both those cars.

I'll admit that selling 5k R32s was much tougher for VW.. Tough to find enough buyers to spend $30k on a golf. For those of us who did though, we are enjoying knowing that we can still trade in our 4 year old Golfs for $21k

I think selling 10,000 1 series will be pretty easy for BMW, especially when you factor in the break out. Question is, how many will change their mind and go for the 3 series when it gets down to crunch time.

Exactly. I bought mine new for $28k and have been offered $23k with 45,000mi.

Back on topic, if the 135i lease is more then the 335i lease then BMW is in big trouble. Sure the track guys and hardcore (many of the folks on this forum) will buy the 135i anyway but the average buyer is not going to look at the 135i twice if they are the same lease payment.

[TwinturboBMW07]

so will this cause the price of the car to go up more if so thats some bullshit

[JSierra]

There are people here that are trying to get a 1 series but the dealer is jacking the price up already because it will be a "limited production" car. I hope that it will hold its resale value. I like the fact that there will not be a huge amount of 1 series on the road. I saw somewhere that there will only be 4,250 or so 135i's coming to the U.S. This includes the ones that are being ordered. The rest will be 128's. I will try to dig this info up again. I am no expert and it looks as if we do not have a number in stone yet, so this will probably change. I think the fact of the matter is, if you want one, you might want to consider getting to a dealer before they are all gone.....:iono:

[larryn]

Originally Posted by NOLEimit

Question is, how many will change their mind and go for the 3 series when it gets down to crunch time.

It could very well be a bait n switch car. Gets more people hooked, then upsell to a 3 lease, and make it seem like a "deal". I mentioned this a while ago here, when we were guessing about lease rates.

[atr_hugo]

Larry - I think you hit it. My take is that BMW, BMW NA, and the dealer community had battle royale over how to position the 1er. The dealers wanted to protect their turf - margins would be too thin on the 1er and possibly could have eaten into 3er sales. And as we all know (and have seen examples of here) 'murcans will choose size when the price is close, et viola, a 1er lease rate positioned to drive casual leasing clients to the 3. The 3er will be an easier CPO sell at the end of the lease to boot (with more people chossing the space of the 3er over the 1er again).