F30POST
F30POST
2012-2015 BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum (F30 / F32) | F30POST > 2012-2019 BMW 3 and 4-Series Forums > General F30 Sedan / F32 Coupe / F36 Gran Coupe Forum > Is the new 3 series is losing US market share?
Extreme Powerhouse
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      10-03-2012, 09:57 AM   #1
The X Men
Colonel
99
Rep
2,323
Posts

Drives: 2013 X3 35i
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: MA

iTrader: (0)

Is the new 3 series is losing US market share?

According to the Sep. 2012 sales reports: BMW 3 series, Sep 2012 compare to Sep 2011, -16.8% and year to date -3.1%. The MB C class, Sep 2012 compare to Sep 2011, +14.7% and year to date +25.2%. The Audi A4, Sep 2012 compare to Sep 2011, +12.8% and year to date +6.9%.
For a car that is recently redesigned and considering that both the C-class and the A4 is at the end of their design cycles, the new 3 series should be be posting much better sales numbers.
Appreciate 0
      10-03-2012, 11:01 AM   #2
Jamesons Viggen
Brigadier General
United_States
193
Rep
3,780
Posts

Drives: '98 M Roadster stg 2+ S/C
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Rochester Hills MI

iTrader: (3)

I think it's a bit early to tell.

A year ago, the E90 was an end term, full roll out, meanwhile the F30 has been RWD for almost a year now, we are finally seeing X-drive trickle in. That leaves the E9x wagons, verts and coupes which people know are being replaced.

Also, at the time a year ago I was looking at silly low lease deals on E90's, $199 a month for RWD, $229 for X-drive. Then boom, the F30 comes out at $459-$399. Leases make up a LOT of 3 series sales.

So I think it's a bit premature.
__________________

'98 Dinan/RMS stage 2+(VAC cams, CES Cutring etc)
'15 Buick Regal "T"(wife)
'06 Saab 9-5 Combi 5mt (full suspension, LSD, clipped turbo etc)
Appreciate 0
      10-03-2012, 11:02 AM   #3
JoeyO
Captain
United_States
202
Rep
814
Posts

Drives: silver car
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: USA

iTrader: (0)

BMW marketing execs felt Americans were hankering for the Lines and therefore charged extra from them. Too bad few people want to pay extra from them.
Appreciate 0
      10-03-2012, 11:12 AM   #4
BigKutta
Brigadier General
BigKutta's Avatar
United_States
3871
Rep
4,040
Posts

Drives: 2020 M2C, 2019 330xi, 2017 Q7
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Washington DC Burbs

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
2019 330xi  [0.00]
2017 Audi Q7 3.0  [0.00]
2020 M2C  [0.00]
Could it be because the car just came out and the pipeline is filling up? I live in the DC area and have only recently begun to notice the F30 on the road. And now I see the daily. Give it time
Appreciate 0
      10-03-2012, 11:18 AM   #5
justinnum1
Major General
651
Rep
5,803
Posts

Drives: 2018 330i Msport 6mt
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: South Florida

iTrader: (0)

During the F30 lifecycle, it will outsell c class and A4, and ATS. Guaranteed.

To early to tell.
__________________
F30 330i Alpine white/Coral red Msport 6MT
Appreciate 0
      10-03-2012, 11:25 AM   #6
Eric500
um...
Eric500's Avatar
401
Rep
408
Posts

Drives: LC500
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Austin, TX

iTrader: (0)

I think a lot of sales used to come from coupes and verts which are probably not selling at all. Which drags down the 3. Maybe BMW should provide a breakdown of f30, E91-93
__________________
328i -> 535i -> X5 -> 540i -> Lexus LC500
Appreciate 0
      10-03-2012, 12:24 PM   #7
DerekS
Major
DerekS's Avatar
196
Rep
1,180
Posts

Drives: '24 X3 M Sport
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: YVR

iTrader: (0)

The lack of Xdrive sedans, until very recently, has severely curtailed F30 sales in Canada and I suspect in all of the northern US states. Where I live in the pacific Northwest, Xdrives make up approximately 90% of 3 Series sales ! It's hard to believe that so many folks have abandoned RWD for the heavier, and thirstier Xdrive version. It's a testament to BMW's marketing success of Xdrive !!!
__________________
on order: 2024 i4 eDrive40 M Sport, Tanzanite metallic with all options
Appreciate 0
      10-03-2012, 12:36 PM   #8
The X Men
Colonel
99
Rep
2,323
Posts

Drives: 2013 X3 35i
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: MA

iTrader: (0)

The F30 X-drive have been available for the full month of Sep 2012, yet sales still went down almost 17% compare to the same month last year. A lot of you are right, its still too early to tell, but if this trend continues, we can expect to see some pretty deep discounts for the F30, lease rate is already down to $349 a month.
Appreciate 0
      10-03-2012, 01:18 PM   #9
E36toF30
First Lieutenant
19
Rep
311
Posts

Drives: 2011 E92 M3 DCT
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: CO

iTrader: (0)

I agree that it's too early to tell with the xDrive sedans just being introduced, wagon about to be introduced, and the coupe/convertibles about to be redesigned.
Appreciate 0
      10-03-2012, 01:21 PM   #10
ric124
Colonel
ric124's Avatar
Jamaica
452
Rep
2,148
Posts

Drives: F87 M2 BSM MT
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: South Florida

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2017 BMW M2  [0.00]
Could be because they are not building fast enough as yet? I took a friend to the dealer to check out a 335 so he could get a real test drive because I was not going to make him drive my car hard but the dealer had none.

Plus dont see much or any F30 on the lot that does not already have a owner waiting to pickup.


Just did a inventory search and there are only 10 2013 BMW 335i within 500 miles of my location. There is a lot of 328i's tho 847

Last edited by ric124; 10-03-2012 at 01:31 PM..
Appreciate 0
      10-03-2012, 03:12 PM   #11
The X Men
Colonel
99
Rep
2,323
Posts

Drives: 2013 X3 35i
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: MA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by ric124 View Post
Could be because they are not building fast enough as yet? I took a friend to the dealer to check out a 335 so he could get a real test drive because I was not going to make him drive my car hard but the dealer had none.
The 335i is in pretty low demand now with the introduction of the N20 engine, even lower than the E90 version since power band of the two engines are much closer now. Not sure about FL, but up here in the Northeast, the dealer's lots have plenty of 328xi to choose from.
Appreciate 0
      10-03-2012, 03:53 PM   #12
justinnum1
Major General
651
Rep
5,803
Posts

Drives: 2018 330i Msport 6mt
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: South Florida

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sol01
C class sedan is outselling F30 in US like for like. that must be worrying.
Not our problem. Those that like the c class will buy it. As an enthusiast the c class doesn't come close to the f30
__________________
F30 330i Alpine white/Coral red Msport 6MT
Appreciate 0
      10-03-2012, 03:58 PM   #13
sean10mm
Private First Class
sean10mm's Avatar
United_States
5
Rep
195
Posts

Drives: '13 335i xDrive 6MT ZDH
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: USA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by DerekS View Post
The lack of Xdrive sedans, until very recently, has severely curtailed F30 sales in Canada and I suspect in all of the northern US states. Where I live in the pacific Northwest, Xdrives make up approximately 90% of 3 Series sales ! It's hard to believe that so many folks have abandoned RWD for the heavier, and thirstier Xdrive version. It's a testament to BMW's marketing success of Xdrive !!!
BMW hardly markets xDrive at all.
Appreciate 0
      10-03-2012, 07:30 PM   #14
DerekS
Major
DerekS's Avatar
196
Rep
1,180
Posts

Drives: '24 X3 M Sport
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: YVR

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by sean10mm View Post
BMW hardly markets xDrive at all.
Not true in Canada where BMW spends a huge chunk of their marketing budget advertising Xdrives.
__________________
on order: 2024 i4 eDrive40 M Sport, Tanzanite metallic with all options

Last edited by DerekS; 10-03-2012 at 07:57 PM..
Appreciate 0
      10-03-2012, 07:56 PM   #15
DerekS
Major
DerekS's Avatar
196
Rep
1,180
Posts

Drives: '24 X3 M Sport
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: YVR

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by The X Men View Post
The F30 X-drive have been available for the full month of Sep 2012 .
This might have been true for the east coast, but it certainly was not the case for the west. It takes 2-3 weeks longer for shipments to get to the central and western regions of North America.
__________________
on order: 2024 i4 eDrive40 M Sport, Tanzanite metallic with all options
Appreciate 0
      10-03-2012, 10:11 PM   #16
iwannabimmer
Second Lieutenant
iwannabimmer's Avatar
2
Rep
295
Posts

Drives: 2009 mazda6s grand touring
Join Date: May 2010
Location: chicago, IL

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by justinnum1 View Post
During the F30 lifecycle, it will outsell c class and A4, and ATS. Guaranteed.

To early to tell.
I'll bet you that the ATS will steal some shares from the F30 in US.

Quote:
Originally Posted by justinnum1 View Post
Not our problem. Those that like the c class will buy it. As an enthusiast the c class doesn't come close to the f30
BMW doesn't count just on enthusiasts for their sales though.
Appreciate 0
      10-03-2012, 10:30 PM   #17
justinnum1
Major General
651
Rep
5,803
Posts

Drives: 2018 330i Msport 6mt
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: South Florida

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by iwannabimmer View Post
I'll bet you that the ATS will steal some shares from the F30 in US.



BMW doesn't count just on enthusiasts for their sales though.
And i bet the F30 will steal some shares from lexus and mercedes.
__________________
F30 330i Alpine white/Coral red Msport 6MT
Appreciate 0
      10-03-2012, 11:28 PM   #18
FogCityM3
Colonel
FogCityM3's Avatar
497
Rep
2,400
Posts

Drives: M3 (E90) & Porsche GT3 RS
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: San Francisco

iTrader: (0)

Part of the problem is that all the new BMW's are beginning to lose a fair number of comparison tests (especially the non-3s) and consumers pay attention to those. Even in C&D's two most recent tests, said they preferred the E90. In the comparo with the ATS (which did lose out to the 3er, but barely), C&D said "We are convinced that the E90 would handily win a comparison test against the F30"
Appreciate 0
      10-03-2012, 11:56 PM   #19
boltjames
Banned
17
Rep
533
Posts

Drives: 2013 BMW 328i Luxury
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: USA

iTrader: (0)

The same types of 3 Series declines were felt in 2005/6 with the launch of the E90. An initial burst of E90 sales, a falloff, immediate slump in the Coupe, Convertible, and Wagon models due to the anticipated line change, double-digit percentage drops for three consecutive quarters, etc.

BJ
Appreciate 0
      10-04-2012, 12:02 AM   #20
r3dbimmer89
Major
r3dbimmer89's Avatar
331
Rep
1,268
Posts

Drives: P-Car
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by iwannabimmer View Post
I'll bet you that the ATS will steal some shares from the F30 in US.



BMW doesn't count just on enthusiasts for their sales though.
+1 and dynamically an F30 non Sport Line handles and drives pretty much like a W204 C Klasse. No real big difference.
__________________
Past: BMW (22 G20 M340i, 15 F80 ///M3, 12 E92 335i, 08 E90 335i, 02 E46 325i)
Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, VW, Lexus
Present: 24 992 C2
Appreciate 0
      10-04-2012, 12:32 AM   #21
boltjames
Banned
17
Rep
533
Posts

Drives: 2013 BMW 328i Luxury
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: USA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by iwannabimmer View Post
I'll bet you that the ATS will steal some shares from the F30 in US.

BMW doesn't count just on enthusiasts for their sales though.


LOL.

You realize that 95% of all 3 Series sold do not have manual transmissions, do not have sport suspensions, do not have a sport package of any sort?

You realize that the average BMW owner is a 47 year old female on a 36 month lease in a car that she took off the lot to look stylish on her way to the nail salon?

"BMW doesn't count just on enthusiasts for their sales though."

LOL. Ya think? This forum is entertaining and all, but please, grab a lawn chair and sit at a busy intersection, profile the 3 Series drivers, tell us what you see.

BJ
Appreciate 0
      10-04-2012, 12:45 AM   #22
FogCityM3
Colonel
FogCityM3's Avatar
497
Rep
2,400
Posts

Drives: M3 (E90) & Porsche GT3 RS
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: San Francisco

iTrader: (0)

Same complaints are being logged with the new M cars. Lack of road feel, too isolated, too large, inferior driving dynamics vs prior generation.

http://www.insideline.com/bmw/m5/201...and-video.html

When the competition (Cadillac) is using the E46 and E90 as the dynamic and size/dimension benchmarks (per latest C&D comparo), it's a pretty strong endorsement for how good the prior gens really were. I recently had a new 328i as a loaner, and while it has a very nice balance between comfort and handling ability, in terms of pure handling and dynamics in the hills/twistys, I preferred my previous 2003 330i...it was so much more fun. As a daily comfortable driver, the new 3er is the better car, and that is what seems to be preferred by the average BMW customers these days. In years past, BMW would cater more specifically to the sporty driving demographic (which is a much smaller market).
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:37 AM.




f30post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST