BMW GROUP U.S. DIVISION REPORTS MAY 2009 SALES

- Overall sales (BMW and MINI) down 27.7 percent in May
- BMW brand reported best month so far this year
- BMW 3 Series hits two million milestone since its introduction in the US in 1976

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – June 2, 2009... The BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) reported May sales of 22,993 vehicles, a decrease of 27.7 percent from the 31,781 vehicles sold in the same month of 2008. The BMW Group also reported a year-to-date sales volume of 93,599 vehicles, down 29 percent, compared to 131,758 vehicles sold in the same period a year ago.

BMW Brand Sales
With 18,383 vehicles sold, the BMW brand reported its best month so far this year. Compared to the 25,469 vehicles reported in the same month a year ago, this is a decrease of 27.8 percent. Year-to-date, BMW brand sales were down 30.5 percent to 76,819 vehicles compared to 110,569 vehicles sold in the same period of 2008.

“This month, the Northeast and Midwest showed signs of buyers' interest and that's a positive aspect for the entire premium market,” said Jim O’Donnell, President of BMW of North America, LLC. “As we have been seeing all year, customers remain cautious, and when they shop for premium products they are buying brands that have a history of value, dependability and enduring quality. This has helped sales in our core 3 Series, 5 Series and X5 range.” 

The company’s Ultimate Service including the four-year, no cost maintenance program combined with one of the highest residual values in the industry further contributes to BMW being a safe and secure purchase in this environment.

In May, the BMW 3 Series reached an important milestone in the U.S. with over two million units sold since the launch of the first 3 Series (320i) in November 1976. The BMW 3 Series has remained the unrivaled benchmark in the premium segment for more than 30 years.

Click to see additional video commentary by Rich Brekus, General Manager – New Car Sales, BMW of North America, LLC regarding BMW’s sales performance in May.

BMW Certified Pre-Owned (CPO)
Sales of BMW’s Certified Pre-Owned vehicles are up 8.3 percent, to 10,410 CPO vehicles versus 9,616 vehicles reported last May 2008. Year-to-date, CPO sales are up 9.8 percent, to 48,410 over the 44,077 reported in the same period of 2008. Since the beginning of the year, BMW has seen a strong performance of its certified used car business with May being the second best month in the history of the CPO program.

MINI Brand Sales
MINI USA reported sales of 4,610 automobiles, down 27 percent from the 6,312 cars sold in May 2008. Year-to-date, MINI USA also reported sales of 16,780 automobiles, a decrease of 20.8 percent, compared to the 21,189 cars reported in May 2008.

“In May, the small car market continued to be soft due to restraint in new car purchases and gas prices that are around 40 percent lower than a year ago,” said Jim McDowell, Vice President of MINI USA. “Nonetheless, once again last month, MINI sales improved over the previous month and we continued to outperform the segment by a wide margin.”
 

Table: Sales BMW of North America, LLC, May 2009

May 2009
May
2008
%
YTD
2009
YTD 2008
%
BMW brand

18,383
25,469
-27.8
76,819
110,569
-30.5
BMW passenger cars

14,785
19,884
-25.6
61,851
86,967
-28.9
BMW light trucks
(SAVs)
3,598
5,585
-35.6
14,968
23,602
-36.6
MINI brand

4,610
6,312
-27.0
16,780
21,189
-20.8
TOTAL Group

22,993
31,781
-27.7
93,599
131,758
-29.0

BMW Group In America
BMW of North America, LLC has been present in the United States since 1975. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars NA, LLC began distributing vehicles in 2003. The BMW Group in the United States has grown to include marketing, sales, and financial service organizations for the BMW brand of motor vehicles, including motorcycles, the MINI brand, and the Rolls-Royce brand of Motor Cars; DesignworksUSA, a strategic design consultancy in California; a technology office in Silicon Valley and various other operations throughout the country. BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC in South Carolina is part of BMW Group’s global manufacturing network and is the exclusive manufacturing plant for all X5 Sports Activity Vehicles and X6 Sports Activity Coupes. The BMW Group sales organization is represented in the U.S. through networks of 338 BMW passenger car centers, 335 BMW Sports Activity Vehicle centers, 142 BMW motorcycle retailers, 83 MINI passenger car dealers, and 30 Rolls-Royce Motor Car dealers. BMW (US) Holding Corp., the BMW Group’s sales headquarters for North America, is located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.

Information about BMW Group products is available to consumers via the Internet at:

www.bmwgroupna.com
www.bmwusanews.com
www.press.bmw-motorsport.com

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Journalist note: Information about the BMW Group and its products is available to journalists on-line at the BMW Group PressClub at the following address: www.press.bmwgroup.com/us.html. Broadcast quality video footage is available via The NewsMarket at www.thenewsmarket.com.

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