The news that BMW Group had its best September is sort of old news, in that the company has set monthly sales records all year. At this point in the sales year, only two real questions remain: Will BMW Group reach its goal of 2,000,000 vehicles sold, and will the company take back the luxury sales championship in the United States from Mercedes-Benz?
Worldwide sales of BMW, Mini, and Rolls-Royce vehicles totaled 199,799 in September, a 5.3 percent increase over the same month last year, and the BMW Group’s best September ever. The company tally through three quarters in 2014 is 1,529,880—also its best three quarters ever and on track for the 2,000,000 goal.
“As in the first three quarters overall, we’ve had a record September with growth in Europe, Asia, and the Americas. This increase in sales comes despite external factors continuing to influence a few individual markets,” said Ian Robertson, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Sales and Marketing BMW. “BMW i can celebrate several milestones this month: more than 10,000 BMW i3s have been delivered to customers this year and 341 BMW i8 customers have received delivery of their cars since sales began in the summer. The other new models we have launched in the last twelve months are also selling well and we are confident that the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer, which went on sale in September, will further boost sales. It’s the most dynamic vehicle in its segment and will bring new customers to the BMW brand.”
Record sales of BMW brand vehicles resulted from increased sales of 3 Series and 5 Series and healthy sales of the newly introduced 4 Series. The newest X5 is also enjoying its customary excellent sales, with over 104,000 already sold this year.
“Mini has achieved its best-ever September which means we remain on course to equal last year’s annual sales,” said Peter Schwarzenbauer, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible for Mini, BMW Motorrad, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, and Aftersales. Deliveries of the new generation Mini jumped in September, a welcome gain after lower sales earlier in the year due to the model changeover.
Demand for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars will also drive a record sales year. So far in 2014, 2,859 Rolls customers have new cars. That should only get better in the fourth quarter, when the new Ghost Series II will be available.
A total of 100,217 BMW motorcycles and scooters made 2014 the first year ever in which BMW Motorrad has sold more than 100,000 units in the first three-quarters of the year.
BMW Group sales in the United States have been brisk. The 275,779 vehicles sold represent a 5.8 percent increase for the first nine months of 2014.
As for the 2014 U.S. BMW versus Mercedes-Benz luxury car race, BMW is slightly ahead, 236,591 to 233,211, but in reality, it’s too close to call.—Scott Blazey
