01-17-2013, 01:25 PM | #1 |
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The 320i U.S. debut timing makes perfect sense now ...
European sales are down (a 22-year record low, actually) and U.S. sales are up. Solution? Sell more Euro cars in the U.S.
Problem solved. 2012 European sales numbers 2012 U.S. sales numbers |
01-17-2013, 05:02 PM | #2 |
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Could be but aren't these cars built to order anyway? When people order less they just build less. I don't think they have 1000's of 320i in storage to redirect to the US.
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01-17-2013, 05:19 PM | #3 |
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Built to order? Have you ever gone to a dealership and see rows and rows of cars? Dealers estimate how many cars they are going to make but BMW certainly doesn't wait until a buyer has been identified before they build the cars. Perhaps I'm misunderstanding you?
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01-17-2013, 05:48 PM | #4 | |
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How many euro 320i's would be RHD though?
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01-17-2013, 06:55 PM | #5 |
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First of all this car is actually on sale in other parts of North and South America. They aren't ramping up production from nothing. I saw several at the dealership while I was in Cancun last fall. Secondly I meant that the cars aren't built after order unless buyers specifically request them. Dealers will do the lion share of ordering working with marketing people to come up with the packaging and pricing that will make selling easier.
But perhaps I'm misunderstanding what's being said. If so apologies. As for the original poster, I think by euro cars he simply meant BMWs with the smaller outputs which are often sold overseas can be sold here in the US. Last edited by CarFan; 01-17-2013 at 06:57 PM.. Reason: added sentence |
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01-17-2013, 07:28 PM | #6 | |
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To the OP, the sales figures you referenced are for Sept.2012, during which BMW sales INCREASED in the EU by 10.5% !
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01-17-2013, 07:45 PM | #7 |
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I've revised my thinking and contrary to my earlier position, the 320i will be a success because it attracts buyers, including my wife, who are shopping for a sports sedan that offers value plus performance. Working with the configurator, and being selective with options and packages fills the needs many consumers are looking for in an upscale import.
Here's our latest configuration: 320xi BASE MSRP $34,550 Black Sapphire Metallic$550 Black Dakota Leather $1,450 Silver Matte Trim $0 Lighting Package $900 Sport Package $1,000 Heated front seats $500 Navigation system $2,150 BMW Assist with enhanced Bluetooth and USB $0 Destination & Handling: $895 Total MSRP as Built $41,995 Last edited by Vector Pilot; 01-17-2013 at 08:18 PM.. |
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01-17-2013, 08:46 PM | #8 |
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01-17-2013, 11:12 PM | #10 |
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Building less means overcapacity, which is currently the main problem for all volume European brands except VAG. The workers still get paid even if no cars are built.
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01-17-2013, 11:13 PM | #11 |
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01-18-2013, 07:54 AM | #12 |
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If they have excess Euro-spec 320i's in inventory, they can't sell them in the US anyway.
They have to be built as US-spec cars in the first place.
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01-18-2013, 08:48 AM | #13 |
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01-18-2013, 10:08 AM | #15 |
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+1
While BMW cares about each country/market it sells its cars in, overall it is focused on selling as many cars as possible. Just as when we special order a vehicle the factory designates a vehicle build already in process to modify to our special order, BMW can simply designate many of the existing F30s it planned to build as 328is as 320is. |
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01-18-2013, 10:12 AM | #16 |
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01-18-2013, 10:20 AM | #17 |
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01-18-2013, 10:26 AM | #19 |
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I think BMW had the idea of selling the 320i in the US for a very long time. (1) As someone else said, the 320i is already on sale in other parts of NA. (2) Audi is the real challenger to BMW and they have much lower-priced cars (sales price, not lease, and yes with FWD and CVT, but still BMW needs to address this cost competition. (3) BMW's corporate strategy is to grow on each and every market in a balanced way.
BMW sales in Europe have grown 10.5% in the previous year, which is absolutely remarkable given that Mercedes fell 6% and brands like Renault, PSA, Fiat, Opel took a 15-20% nosedive and are borderline bankrupt. Thank you, European crisis. Just like 2008-09 in the US, just much worse. |
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01-18-2013, 05:35 PM | #21 |
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01-18-2013, 05:55 PM | #22 |
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If the solution is so simple then GM could have solved the Opel problem very easily. Labour union members have seats on the supervisory board, & redundancy is the last resort.
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