Chuck540MZ

When old Z3, E38(7) and E39(5) designs late in their model life outsell brand new Z4's, E65's(7) and E60's(5), you know something's wrong. Bangle must have pics of the BMW Chairman naked. How else does he keep his job?<ul><li><a href="http://bimmer.roadfly.org/bmw/forums/e39/4591298-1.html">January '04 BMW Sales Report</a></li></ul>

LMGotts

However, I'm <b>really happy</b> to hear that - perhaps someone on The Board will <i>get a clue.</i>

Finman

If one looks closely, the new 5-series is not doing so poorly. It almost is where last year's 5-series was...yet dealer supplies were very low and limited almost solely to the 530i. I've yet to see a 545 at the dealer...there aren't any 525s and no wagons yet either...so for the 530s to sell almost as much as all 5-series did last January...it's not so bad.
The 7-series numbers reflect a typical dropoff after the initial hoopla. Still, the 7-series is a bit of a challenge.

The biggest problem for BMW is the major dropoff for the 3-series despite a full selection at dealers. 25% down is not good...and it's pre-Bangle!

The Z4 numbers are horrible...on the surface. The big sales last year were because it was brand new...but typically sales in January suck for small convertibles...as evidenced by the similar numbers a year prior for the Z3.

Another big dropoff is in the X5...most likely due to competition from the Cayenne and Touareg...but again it is a pre-Bangle vehicle.

Overall, I'd say of the Bangle vehicles, the 5-series is doing cautiously well...will declare itself in the next few months as other models join the lineup. The 7-series is doing mediocre...better than originally suspected based on it's questionable styling...but not as good as it should have. The Z4 is an unknown...wait 'til spring.

Of the pre-Bangle vehicles: the 3-series is doing horribly, and the X5 is doing even worse.

Don't blame this all on Bangle...I'd blame mostly this transition period...but I'd also blame "competition" from other fine cars out there.

LMGotts

Pardon me but "declare itself"...where did that term come from? Some sort of Presidential Speak?

Brand loyalty is a <b><i>strong</i></b> attraction...and it will be proved if the <i>cautiously well doing 5xx</i> has a successful debutant showing...

Just messin' man. :P

Finman

especially since it appears that the new 3-series will be a tame Bangle offering...the 7-series is a relatively low seller anyone...and not really the "identity" of BMW.

I just think BMW will do fine...either that or a lot of BMW-loyalists will be committing suicide in the next few years...

I wish I was gonna be President...I'd hafta' be better than either of the choads that will be running...I think it's pretty clear who these choads will be.

LMGotts

Is there a name update? (Not what you chose, but that something was chosen?)

Potomac-Greg

... (other than SUV) that they've had in years. Could SUVs really be that important to German car makers? What a disgrace!