BMW Sales Figures
 

Interesting facts

http://www.autospies.com/images/user...mw%2003-08.JPG

significant decline all around but noticeably so in the SUV realm... looming $4 gas prices anyone?

I think that is the general trend for all manufacturers, not just BMW. With fuel getting more and more expensive, people are considering fuel consumption as an important factor. Just this morning, Toyota announced record sales for their Yaris, a sub-compact that gets amazing gas mileage and is priced below $15,000.

Not to sound conceited, but I would drive and buy any Bimmer a million times over than buy something as ugly as a Yaris. Fuel economy is important to me, but not to the point where I buy something with hardly any style and luxury.

Just by 2 cents.

X5 V8

Quick, unrelated question: what size are your rims?

the rim looks like is an 18 incher that comes standard on 4.8

Yeah, their the 18"ers that come standard, didn't get the sport pkg.

It's not being conceited at all. I would buy and drive any BMW over a Toyota Yaris, Honda Civic, Hyundai, Kia, etc..., just due to the safety aspect. In 2004 (on my B'day to boot!), I was t-boned in my X5 4.4i, by some teenager doing 50mph+ in a truck. The emergency crew said the X5 saved my life for sure (side and head curtain airbags). If I was in a Yaris, I would be dead!! I consider myself a "leftie enviornmentalist", and driving an X5 4.8i is not enviornmental....but it's my life. I do other things to make up for it...huge solar array @ home, buying carbon footprints, volunteering, etc..
Here's a pic of the accident. I'm on my 4th X5, NHIS says the X5 is one of the highest rated cars ever, for crash safety!
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...0/deadx5-1.jpg

Yeah...that looks pretty bad, glad your ok. What a bummer that it happened on your birthday. I can understand about your point about safety, I always feel safe and secure in my X5. I was in a little fender bender about 4 years ago with my 04 and the woman hit my front bumper and it only put a tiny scratch in the plastic, while doing more damage to her 80's Caddy. We have quality built super machines here.

Wow Deutsch, that is an EXCELLENT pic and great info, thanks for posting:thumbup:. Glad you're OK first of all. Second, I'd be very curious to get more details on the physics and damage of this accident.
1) Is that the head curtain airbag that we're seeing stretching from front to back?
2) What is the airbag visible in the rear right seat? Is that the side airbag?
3) Did either of the 2 front airbags go off?
4) Were you belted in?
5) Any other passengers in your vehicle?
6) What trim level did you have: 3.0, 4.4, higher?
7) Was this considered "totalled" for insurance purposes?
8) Was the other guy really doing 50 mph? You're not exaggerating?
9) Describe his vehicle and what damage and injuries he sustained?

Sorry for the bunch of questions, but this could really shed some light on a topic rarely discussed on this board: collisions!:wow:

These numbers are bad for BMW but I would guess good for the consumers. Last time the X5 sales went so low was last January. The following month, BMW had a $2500 incentive on the X5! I wouldn't be surprised to see the same.
And I really hope dealer will soften the blow when it comes to new X6. i.e., no mark up, and may be a couple of thousands of MSRP (no invoice data out yet)

It would be interesting to see global X5 sales. I am recently seeing lots of Cayannes, Q7's and Landrover Sports. Has the X5 lost its appeal?

Hey StanF18!

Yes, that is the head curtain airbag from front to rear. Also you see the rear side airbag. The passenger side airbag also deployed (but the door was cut away, so it's not visible in the picture). Yes, both front airbags deployed, because when we were hit from the side, we were pushed head-on, hard and fast into a parked Infiniti Q45. We were both seat belted (it's the law!) and it was me, and my spouse in the car, coming home from the gym. We were in a 4.4i (and we replaced it with a great 4.8is!!). The insurance agency wanted to fix it, even though repair estimates were over $30,000! We told them that if they insist on fixing it, we would demand they sign a document stating the car has the same structural integrity as when it left the factory, and that it anyone in the future is hurt, or killed in another accident due to the car's weakness, and bent frame, that they are fully responsible. They totalled the car the next business day!
Why would I exaggerate the speed of the car that hit us? Kind of insulting man! What, are we 16? The Police estimated the truck (Nissan pickup, early 1990's model) was travelling between 50-55mph.
His car was totaled, and the entire front was smashed up to the front window. He was taken away via Ambulance, and I don't know the extent of his injuries, but it did look like he hit the windshield with his head. I think he was seriously injured.

Interestingly, I see the 7 series sales increased. Of all the models, why would the 7 increase in sales? Especially since it's nearing the end of the latest generation.:confused:

Since sales of the X5 are so weak, I hope BMW lowers the MF even further in April & May:dancing:

^Two words: $8,000 off.

Yes I sure hope that BMW improves the lease program.

I think the only reason why StanF18 questioned the speed was in reference to the fact that your X5 looked like it held up so well for such a high speed collision. It looks like the overall structural integrity of the unibody is very intact. I'm very impressed with the safety of the X5 honestly! Twice in the last two years have I come very close to trading in the X5 for a smaller more practical (mpg wise) 4 door, but the main point that makes me keep it is the safety factor :thumbup:

Not that I want to start a different topic, but IMHO the auto sales of the past few years are somewhat unsustainable here in USA. The dollar is week, gas prices are going up, consumer confidence is down and people are feeling house poor. When I used to live in So Cal, it was amazing to observe how SOME people viewed wealth. They were house rich, and used it as an ATM card. I lived in a nice development (middle class). Your average car is and Infiniti M, 5 series, X5 and the likes… a neighbor few houses down who lived in a smaller unit was driving a Quattroporte. Last summer that house was bank owned! The ATM has Dried!

What I’m trying to say is that just like it is in the housing market, it is in the auto industry. IT IS A BUYERS MARKET!

Vegas, you are exactly right: I'm thoroughly amazed that a 50 mph side impact on Deutsh's E53 would still leave an essentially intact structure without the "smushed in" look that we've all seen in pictures of so many other accidents. That was why I questioned the speed. I think that photo should make all of us feel a lot safer in our X5s!