02-10-2011, 03:48 PM
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Member
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 263
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JCL
In 2009, BMW North America sold 240,000 vehicles. 158,000 of those were BMW brand cars, ie not X3/5/6 or Mini. Total 3 series diesels (all of the passenger car diesels sold by BMW North America) were reportedly 1656 units. So, 1% of their passenger car sales were diesels, and about 1.7% of their 3 series sales were diesels. Said another way, 99% of new BMW car purchasers in the US believe they can beat the combination of what the diesel offers. In February 2009, BMWNA sold a total of only 19 335d vehicles. I wonder how much certification of the vehicle to allow them to sell this version in the US cost them in comparison? The 3 series diesel sales figures were a huge disappointment to BMW North America, and are never mentioned in press releases, unlike the X5 diesel, which has been doing fairly well.
On a practical note, the chances of finding a used one are pretty low.
Personally, I think BMWNA blew it by introducing a 335d first. If they had introduced a 320d instead they would have done much better IMO.
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I'd also like to see the current sales figures for the 335d. The 2009 numbers you cite above are misleading since 2009 was the first year the d was sold in the US and I believe(could be wrong) that it was a mid-model year addition. Doesnt surprise me they only sold 1%. For some reason I'm thinking the d went on sale in Jan/Feb of that year so the 19 sold in Feb makes sense.
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