[David70]

BMW says they will have 9 new electric vehicles by 2025, at some point other models may have to go. I think the 8 series could easily be gone. I also wonder about vehicles like the X4. Car companies make the very high dollar luxury vehicles at low volumes as the profit per vehicle is very high but the X4 sold less than 8k vehicles last year. I also wonder about the number of drivetrain options for each model being reduced (number of engines and awd/rwd) and also think this type of logic is how the manual transmission went away from almost every model.

They sold 26k 5 series cars this year and have
530 rwd
530 awd
540 rwd
540 awd
530e rwd
530e awd
M550i awd
M5

With 8 powertrain options for 26k cars would be interesting to see how many of each variation were sold (my guess is 530 awd is the greatest volume) and if they all really make sense. Few want to special order and fewer variations to be built reduces overall cost.

The 5 light truck models easily outsold the 12 car models although I don't know why the X1 and X2 are cars and the X3 is a light truck.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by xlover

But the market is shifting for sure, the idea of a 2 door lux coupe being the flagship is dying being replaced with the forward looking suv coupe or electric/hybrid technology demonstrator

Yes. And at the same time, the threat from new players is increasing. Eventually it could become more significant than that from traditional competitors.

With that in mind, one might ask, at what point is market segmentation being driven more by the new era than the old? And furthermore, to what degree will the old guard be forced to conform in order to remain viable? These questions may not be fully answered for another decade. However, product developers need a long runway, so sometimes you have to make your best guesses long before you have the final answer.

[AlexFL]

X3 and X5 selling strongly!

[Bimmertron]

Now I hope we’ll see this year’s 4 series sales plummet so they can admit the pig snout is NOT the right direction for BMW.

[David70]

Originally Posted by chriscam95

Now I hope we’ll see this year’s 4 series sales plummet so they can admit the pig snout is NOT the right direction for BMW.

A high percentage of people that leave a brand don't come back and one thing we should also realize is we only look at U.S. sales numbers when BMW designs and builds for the world. If U.S. sales plummet and Asian sales take off, not sure they would see it as a mistake.

[AlexFL]

Originally Posted by stein_325i

Wow, even the X5 is outselling the 3-series. Sad times we live in.

I don't see what's sad or surprising about that. Few people buy four door sedans.

[bimmerboy71195]

The lease programs suck compared to early 2019 and I don't know if it's gonna get better

[chassis]

Strong X3 performance in Q4, 2020 vs 2019, up 15%. My wife loves her X3, I like it from a distance (she doesn't let me drive it) and I see alot of them in my area.

[Teutonic]

Originally Posted by xlover

I know you are trolling but the reality is:

People look at the 3 series and walk two spots over to the x3 and buy that instead

Waited for the new M3, believed that the face is a joke. That until I realized that is not.
I am waiting for my M340i M Performance as we speak and for my Alpina grills because even this one while the kidney grill has a decent size, it is still kitschy....
I have also ordered an RS5 but the Covid is interfereing with my delivery.

[dmk08]

Nice to see most people realize the even numbered X series are fugly.

[nye2018sd]

BMW needs to trim and simplify their line up, my 2 cents for vehicles to REMAIN:

2-Series Coupe and Gran Coupe (UGLY but entry level to brand)

3-Series Sedan (an Iconic MUST)

4-Series Coupe & Convertible (no Gran Coupe, although won't sell many units but numbers can be adequate)

5-Series Sedan (although need to step up in design language)

7-Series Flag Ship (although BMW needs to step up the next model to compete with the all mighty S-Class. G11 and G12 disappointing in ride and design.)

8-Series Gran Coupe and Convertible (for the Rich)

X3 (entry level luxury SUV to brand, lots of money to be made here)

X5 (Mid Level Luxury SUV, lots of money to be made here)

X6 (If you want SEXYESS)

X7 (To compete for 7-seat passengers competitors)

M3 Sedan (an ICON)

M8 (Coupe and Convertible for the SUPER rich)

DUMP THE REST! (M4, M5, X1, X2, X4, Z4, i3)

[dmk08]

Originally Posted by nye2018sd

X6 (If you want SEXYESS)

X6 sexy...

[Germanauto]

Originally Posted by AlexFL

I don't see what's sad or surprising about that. Few people buy four door sedans.

It’s sad that such a vehicle is more popular than BMW’s most iconic nameplate.

[syd34]

Originally Posted by nye2018sd

4-Series Coupe & Convertible (no Gran Coupe, although won't sell many units but numbers can be adequate)

...

DUMP THE REST! (M4, M5, X1, X2, X4, Z4, i3)

In recent years, the 4 GC has accounted for about 50% of all 4 series sales and it is significant for the company.

I'm confused, are you suggesting that the M4 and M5 be cut? if I understood it correctly, that would be treason.

[ASAP]

Originally Posted by nye2018sd

BMW needs to trim and simplify their line up, my 2 cents for vehicles to REMAIN:

I'll make this much easier, keep the 2,3,4,5,7 series and X3, X5 and X7. Dump the convertible M3s, all Gran Coupes and all even numbered vehicles except the crappy entry level m235i. Hell even get rid of the M SUVs except the X5M.

[The J-Man]

I’m down to a 1 car family in the age of Covid and we’re surviving just fine. I’d like to buy a 3 series but won’t jump until lease programs and incentives improve, and they offer a better color palette (both interior and exterior). If that never happens, I’m content with one car, or I’ll look to other brands.

[Artemis]

Originally Posted by heavyD^2

The 2 and 8 series sales increases are a little surprising.

Originally Posted by stein_325i

The 2er is likely the result of the Gran Coupe models. The 8er on the other hand, maybe a mix of more gran coupe availability and strong deals?

Unclear if the stats include BMW M models. If affirmative: M2C and M2 CS sales.

[Teutonic]

Originally Posted by nye2018sd

BMW needs to trim and simplify their line up, my 2 cents for vehicles to REMAIN:

2-Series Coupe and Gran Coupe (UGLY but entry level to brand)

3-Series Sedan (an Iconic MUST)

4-Series Coupe & Convertible (no Gran Coupe, although won't sell many units but numbers can be adequate)

5-Series Sedan (although need to step up in design language)

7-Series Flag Ship (although BMW needs to step up the next model to compete with the all mighty S-Class. G11 and G12 disappointing in ride and design.)

8-Series Gran Coupe and Convertible (for the Rich)

X3 (entry level luxury SUV to brand, lots of money to be made here)

X5 (Mid Level Luxury SUV, lots of money to be made here)

X6 (If you want SEXYESS)

X7 (To compete for 7-seat passengers competitors)

M3 Sedan (an ICON)

M8 (Coupe and Convertible for the SUPER rich)

DUMP THE REST! (M4, M5, X1, X2, X4, Z4, i3)

Let me tell you, I have an X1, an X4 and I love them to both. Owned M5 in the past and to drop M5 is pure profanity.
M3 is a nice car but the M5 is the real PURE LUXURY SPORTS SEDAN.
Owned them in the past and always loved them to death.
M5 is way above the M3 in all aspects.
The new M3 doesnt touch the elegance of the M5. Especialy now....

[chris719]

Originally Posted by Teutonic

Let me tell you, I have an X1, an X4 and I love them to both. Owned M5 in the past and to drop M5 is pure profanity.
M3 is a nice car but the M5 is the real PURE LUXURY SPORTS SEDAN.
Owned them in the past and always loved them to death.
M5 is way above the M3 in all aspects.
The new M3 doesnt touch the elegance of the M5. Especialy now....

The M3 and M5 are not directly comparable. I would rather have an M3 at any price, personally. You are free to feel otherwise, but it is a different category of car with its own merits. I don't want a big boat, even if it is a well-built rocketship.

I agree that dropping the M5 from their line would be stupid. In an SUV-dominated world, I'm sure revenue wouldn't even budge if they did, but it is one of the core products of the brand.

People who argue that BMW needs to drop X and Y to be competitive are probably wrong. Platform and parts bin sharing seems to be at its highest level ever in the BMW product line.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by chris719

People who argue that BMW needs to drop X and Y to be competitive are probably wrong.

As a general statement that’s true. However, the reason why it’s true is that people tend to choose “X and Y” based on personal taste or other irrelevant factors rather than engaging in reasoned analysis.

The fact of the matter is that BMW and other automakers do EOL products. BMW has recently discontinued the F34, the G32 (in the US, but it’s days are numbered worldwide), and the i12/i15. The i01 and the F46 also will not get reprieves. Before these products were officially cancelled, there were suggestions that they should be, and those suggestions turned out to be on target.

Mercedes has also recently opted to end and not replace some products including the SLC, X Class, and the S Class coupe and convertible. They will also not replace their C Class coupe and convertible when their cycle ends in the next year. Most of these decisions were ultimately due to industry-wide sales decline in the respective segments. Since BMW sells vehicles in some of these same segments, it is not unreasonable to posit that their portfolio may be similarly adjusted.

[vladberca]

So BMW finished again the year with better sales than MB, but with a drop of 17,5% vs 13%.
2021 will be very interesting with the request for more electric and hybrid models 🙄

[-Vanguard-]

X6 144% growth in a pandemic...

Proof that this gorgeous car is the real deal.