How bout them BMW's - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

fuzyfuzer · 12-06-2004, 05:18 PM

wheather you like the styling or not obviously enough people enjoy it. it is amazing how much BMW has expanded in the last ten years. just goes to show you that not every luxury marque is doomed to econo car buy out.

Quote:

Top Dog? BMW on verge of dethroning VW as leading European seller in U.S.
RALPH KISIEL | Automotive News
Posted Date: 12/6/04

DETROIT -- BMW is on the verge of dethroning mass-market Volkswagen as the best-selling European brand in the United States.

BMW, helped by the debut of the X3 SUV this year, has been creeping up on VW, whose sales have collapsed in the past two years. Through November, VW was just 45 units ahead of BMW. A year ago, VW led by nearly 65,000. Figures do not include BMW AG's Mini brand.

In 11 months VW sold 234,642 vehicles in the United States. BMW's total: 234,597.

Is Volkswagen concerned?

"We absolutely compete in different segments, and so there's been no planning or discussions about how we're going to beat BMW for the year or for the month," says Volkswagen of America Inc. spokesman Steve Keyes.

VW was outsold by its German rivals only once in the United States. That was 1993, when VW stopped production in its Puebla, Mexico, plant and had little to sell. Both BMW and Mercedes-Benz topped VW's paltry 49,533 U.S. sales that year.

VW's U.S. sales skyrocketed to 355,648 units in 2001 on the strength of the redesigned Jetta, Passat and hip New Beetle. But VW's long product cycles and its initial reluctance to provide incentives caught up with the brand. Its U.S. sales have been declining since 2002.

Through November, VW's U.S. sales are down 17.6 percent after falling 10.5 percent last year. Its November sales plummeted 40.5 percent vs. the year-ago month.

While VW sales continue to slide, BMW sales through November are up 6.7 percent. Mercedes sales are off 1.1 percent through November at 194,714 vehicles.
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http://www.autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=101365

splck · 12-06-2004, 06:02 PM

Nice cars I'm sure, but the yuppy image turns me off...alot

Atomic Pinkie · 12-08-2004, 11:57 AM

Well, it was the underpowered BMW models that helped.

Now everyone and their mother can impress the less knowledgeable by driving around a dinker BMW.

If you're going to get a BMW, get a BMW not a detuned economy version.
(in my opinion of course)

SailorSpoon · 12-08-2004, 09:05 PM

I do enjoy the styling of most of the BMW line.. While I do appreciate how the older VW's (even early 90's) the later models just don't have as much character, except the Beetle of course.

poof · 12-10-2004, 07:21 PM

Geeesus! I have my Bimmer because I like it! It gets nice mileage, handles great, and is quiet inside. I didn't know that a product that has impressive sales was a bad thing. You know what? I guess I have outgrown my "too cool for school" mind set.

Hmmm, think I'll keep my little BMW.

bigd999 · 12-10-2004, 07:42 PM

not that I have anything against them, I think they are nice cars. My friend has one and I just cant get over that 100$ oil change. 40$ for an oil filter? craziness....

fuzyfuzer · 12-11-2004, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poof

Geeesus! I have my Bimmer because I like it! It gets nice mileage, handles great, and is quiet inside. I didn't know that a product that has impressive sales was a bad thing. You know what? I guess I have outgrown my "too cool for school" mind set.

Hmmm, think I'll keep my little BMW.

im not saying this is sa bad thing im saying that it is great that BMW is expanding into new markets and ensuring atleast for the present time that they are not in danger of mergers or buyouts. its like porsche im seeing problems there thata they aren't chaging anything they are nt trying to stay on the cutting edge. you can say that they found what worked and are sticking with it but you have to remember its only a matter of time before someone mimicks it and improves upon it.

oh and by the way i have my BMW too and love it for its driving experience

poof · 12-13-2004, 08:56 PM

<i>oh and by the way i have my BMW too and love it for its driving experience </i>

I think that is the bottom line my friend!

12-06-2004, 06:02 PM	#2 (permalink)
splck it's jam Location: Lowerainland BC	Nice cars I'm sure, but the yuppy image turns me off...alot __________________ nice line eh?

12-08-2004, 11:57 AM	#3 (permalink)
Atomic Pinkie Addict Location: Chicago	Well, it was the underpowered BMW models that helped. Now everyone and their mother can impress the less knowledgeable by driving around a dinker BMW. If you're going to get a BMW, get a BMW not a detuned economy version. (in my opinion of course) __________________ Where dem bitches at?

12-08-2004, 09:05 PM	#4 (permalink)
SailorSpoon Upright	I do enjoy the styling of most of the BMW line.. While I do appreciate how the older VW's (even early 90's) the later models just don't have as much character, except the Beetle of course.

12-10-2004, 07:21 PM	#5 (permalink)
poof Psycho	Geeesus! I have my Bimmer because I like it! It gets nice mileage, handles great, and is quiet inside. I didn't know that a product that has impressive sales was a bad thing. You know what? I guess I have outgrown my "too cool for school" mind set. Hmmm, think I'll keep my little BMW.

12-10-2004, 07:42 PM	#6 (permalink)
bigd999 Tilted Location: Dallas, TX	not that I have anything against them, I think they are nice cars. My friend has one and I just cant get over that 100$ oil change. 40$ for an oil filter? craziness....

12-13-2004, 08:56 PM	#8 (permalink)
poof Psycho	<i>oh and by the way i have my BMW too and love it for its driving experience </i> I think that is the bottom line my friend!