[Jason]

BIMMERPOST NEWS

BMWNA Reports Q4 2020 and Full Year 2020 U.S. Sales Results

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Strong finish to Q4 2020 includes two months of record consumer deliveries.

Q4 2020 sales greatly exceed expectations, down only 2.0% in a challenging year.

Consumer demand, collaboration with dealers, increased U.S. production and improved inventory levels propel strong fourth quarter.

BMW Light Truck sales increase 9.6% in Q4 2020 vs Q4 2019; Full BMW X model line-up accounts for 60% of 2020 sales.
Woodcliff Lake, NJ – January 5, 2021… BMW of North America reported today sales results for Q4 2020 and the full year 2020 for the BMW and MINI brands in the U.S.*

BMW Brand
In the fourth quarter of 2020, BMW brand sales totaled 98,750 vehicles, only a 2.0% decrease from the 100,797 vehicles sold in the fourth quarter of 2019.** For the full year 2020, BMW brand sales decreased 17.5% on total sales of 278,732 compared to the 338,003 vehicles sold in 2019.

MINI Brand
MINI brand sales totaled 8,549 vehicles in the fourth quarter of 2020, a decrease of 3.6% vs the 8,864 vehicles sold in the fourth quarter of 2019.** For the full year 2020, MINI brand sales decreased 22.4% on total sales of 28,138 compared to the 36,272 vehicles sold in 2019.

Despite the challenges posed by the ongoing global pandemic, BMW brand sales in the U.S. improved significantly in the second half of the year – including several outstanding months -- as the sales network reopened, production restarted, and inventory levels improved. The last four months of the year were particularly strong, owing much to increased production at Plant Spartanburg, which helped meet customer demand for top selling models such as the BMW X3, X5 and X7 Sports Activity Vehicles.

“There is no doubt that 2020 was a challenging year for automotive sales, but we have found that these challenges were due more to the circumstances, rather than consumer demand,” said Bernhard Kuhnt, president and CEO, BMW of North America. “We owe our dealers and regional teams a lot of credit for their flexibility and dedication while adapting to the situation. With their support we felt very confident throughout the second half of the year as consumer deliveries grew quickly -- even exceeding own expectations.”

[heavyD^2]

The 2 and 8 series sales increases are a little surprising.

[ASAP]

Those YTD sales on the sedans... yikes

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by heavyD^2

The 2 and 8 series sales increases are a little surprising.

The 2er is likely the result of the Gran Coupe models. The 8er on the other hand, maybe a mix of more gran coupe availability and strong deals?

[heavyD^2]

Originally Posted by stein_325i

Well the 2er is likely the result of the Gran Coupe models. The 8er on the other hand, maybe a mix of more gran coupe availability and strong deals?

Yeah that makes more sense about the 2 if a bit confusing that BMW has two different 2 series vehicles.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by stein_325i

The 2er is likely the result of the Gran Coupe models.

Unquestionably.

The 8er on the other hand, maybe a mix of more gran coupe availability and strong deals?

Yep, the 8GC didn't go on sale until September 2019, and volume took some time to ramp up. So 2020 was the first full year. And as you mention, the deals certainly helped.

The 4 Series will see a similar trend soon since the new 4GC launches mid year with sales starting to get traction by August/September.

[David70]

Q4 sales 2020 to 2019-
Cars down 13.6%
Light trucks up 9.6%

2019 - Cars were 52% of total sales
2020 - Cars were 47% of total sales

[440xiGCMSport2]

what is interesting is the 5 series sales are pretty close to the 3 series sales in Q4.

[keanu1]

The 3 series sales are down. That cant be good.
The new c clasa and audi A4 are not out yet. What will Happen then?!?

[mookie45]

Wow interesting X5 sales greater than 3 series sales YTD

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by keanu1

The 3 series sales are down. That cant be good.
The new c clasa and audi A4 are not out yet. What will Happen then?!?

What will happen is that sedan sales will continue to decline and any automaker with too many non-SUVs will eventually need to make tough decisions. That includes BMW, Mercedes, Audi, and anyone else who hasn't gone through the first round of sedan portfolio trimming yet. We already know that two-door passenger cars are on the chopping block, but four door models will be next.

The harsh reality is that no automaker needs seven or more non-SUV nameplates in 2020 and beyond. Sure, you can still manage to sell seven different sizes, but you are probably spending significantly more $$$ per share of the market than your competitor.

Premium sedans will outlive non-premium sedans. However, we should not expect four door BMW passenger cars wearing badges beginning with each of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 in 2030 and beyond. What gets cut after the upcoming generation (the one starting the new G70 7 Series in mid-2022) remains to be seen.

[LemonOne]

Originally Posted by keanu1

The 3 series sales are down. That cant be good.
The new c clasa and audi A4 are not out yet. What will Happen then?!?

I think people look at the current 3 series and go to Lexus dealers, maybe that's why.

[cfm56d7b]

Originally Posted by David70

Q4 sales 2020 to 2019-
Cars down 13.6%
Light trucks up 9.6%

2019 - Cars were 52% of total sales
2020 - Cars were 47% of total sales

Adding to the above. X5 and X7 sales statistics continue to highlight that both cars have been well received by the target market.

I see more and more X5 and X7 vehicles in my area (SoCal - OC).

[NorCalAthlete]

Very surprised to see the 4 series increasing slightly while the 3 series tanked, considering all the whinging on here + all the car review sites about how bad / ugly the G22 is.

Can't wait to get my M440 lol

[xlover]

Originally Posted by LemonOne

I think people look at the current 3 series and go to Lexus dealers, maybe that's why.

I know you are trolling but the reality is:

People look at the 3 series and walk two spots over to the x3 and buy that instead

[Germanauto]

Originally Posted by 440xiGCMSport2

what is interesting is the 5 series sales are pretty close to the 3 series sales in Q4.

I noticed that as well. Are there very strong deals on the 5er or something? I feel they used to be a pretty common sight but in the past few years I'm seeing their midsize luxury sedans less and less. I can't remember the last time I saw the redesigned A6 for example. That could just be anecdotal evidence.

[Germanauto]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

What will happen is that sedan sales will continue to decline and any automaker with too many non-SUVs will eventually need to make tough decisions. That includes BMW, Mercedes, Audi, and anyone else who hasn't gone through the first round of sedan portfolio trimming yet. We already know that two-door passenger cars are on the chopping block, but four door models will be next.

The harsh reality is that no automaker needs seven or more non-SUV nameplates in 2020 and beyond. Sure, you can still manage to sell seven different sizes, but you are probably spending significantly more $$$ per share of the market than your competitor.

Premium sedans will outlive non-premium sedans. However, we should not expect four door BMW passenger cars wearing badges beginning with each of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 in 2030 and beyond. What gets cut after the upcoming generation (the one starting the new G70 7 Series in mid-2022) remains to be seen.

Good points but I find it difficult to imagine a BMW portfolio without the sedans it already has today. The 3/5/7 are staples of the brand and will never go away. 2 GC just came out so it'll [unfortunately] stick around for at least a generation. 8-series is probably the weakest link but I see the coupe/cabriolet variants going on the chopping block before the Gran Coupe does.

For as much as sedan sales have fallen over the past decade, it seems like the Germans make more sedan/4-door "coupe" variants than they ever have.

[Game]

Originally Posted by NorCalAthlete

Very surprised to see the 4 series increasing slightly while the 3 series tanked, considering all the whinging on here + all the car review sites about how bad / ugly the G22 is.

Can't wait to get my M440 lol

I think a part of that is dealers blowing out the F32. The G22 hasn't sold well at my dealership, but it's still early and winter is here.

[NorCalAthlete]

Originally Posted by Game

I think a part of that is dealers blowing out the F32. The G22 hasn't sold well at my dealership, but it's still early and winter is here.

Possibly but tbh I haven't seen a ton of 4-series on the lots for months and I drive by one probably once a week on my way to the golf course. Lots of 3, 5, even some 8s, and lots of X3 / X5s, but not too many 4s.

Would they be counting 4-series orders in these numbers? Cars that are on order but haven't arrived / been delivered yet?

[Game]

Originally Posted by NorCalAthlete

Possibly but tbh I haven't seen a ton of 4-series on the lots for months and I drive by one probably once a week on my way to the golf course. Lots of 3, 5, even some 8s, and lots of X3 / X5s, but not too many 4s.

Would they be counting 4-series orders in these numbers? Cars that are on order but haven't arrived / been delivered yet?

I don't believe they'd count ordered cars as technically those are still unsold cars. But you're right, not too many available. My store currently only has 5, 3 of them being M440's.

[syd34]

Originally Posted by NorCalAthlete

Possibly but tbh I haven't seen a ton of 4-series on the lots for months and I drive by one probably once a week on my way to the golf course. Lots of 3, 5, even some 8s, and lots of X3 / X5s, but not too many 4s.

Would they be counting 4-series orders in these numbers? Cars that are on order but haven't arrived / been delivered yet?

Probably strong incentives on the 4 series GC as well may have contributed to the numbers

[xlover]

Originally Posted by Germanauto

Good points but I find it difficult to imagine a BMW portfolio without the sedans it already has today. The 3/5/7 are staples of the brand and will never go away. 2 GC just came out so it'll [unfortunately] stick around for at least a generation. 8-series is probably the weakest link but I see the coupe/cabriolet variants going on the chopping block before the Gran Coupe does.

Agree, with platform and component sharing the incremental cost per unique model will continue to drop. I also believe there is a strong line logic component to having the sedan and core coupe models. Despite the controversy in this shoebox forum about them and how they have evolved, the 3 series overall, M3, M4, M5 are still aspirational brand defining cars to the general public and help sell x3s, x5s, x7s.

But the market is shifting for sure, the idea of a 2 door lux coupe being the flagship is dying being replaced with the forward looking suv coupe or electric/hybrid technology demonstrator