[FDMeloan]

Total 3 Series sales were up a handsome 50.2% this month when compared to November of last year. Sales of the new E90 3 Series now comprise most of the sales as the new E90s were 84.1% of this month’s total sales. While the new E90 models appear to be successful in the early going the 3 Series model YTD sales for the first 11 months of 2005 were up only 0.4% when compared to the same period of last year.

For comparison, Mercedes Benz sold only 4,858 C Class units this month, down 22.9% from the 6,297 units sold last November. YTD sales of the C Class were down 15.8% for the first 11 months of 2005.

Of much more concern to BMW is the introduction of the Lexus IS250 and IS350 models last month. November sales of the two new models totaled 4,447 units—not too shabby for a new introduction. Note that November sales of the new BMW E90 sedans totaled 8,884 units. It will be interesting to see how the new Lexus sedans will fare against the E90 in the next few months. I’m betting that sales of the IS250 and IS350 will grow relative to the BMW 3 Series and that aspirin consumption at BMW NA will be on the increase.

Please visit my website to see the complete Mercedes-Benz and Lexus sales reports

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