Sales of BMW brand vehicles decreased 40.2 percent in December

BMW has released today their sale numbers for December 2008 and as expected, they are not pretty. While the Mini brand's sales accounted for 3,566 automobiles, up 0.1 percent from the 3,562 cars sold in December 2007, the BMW brand took a  huge hit: down 40.2 percent compared to December 2007. In December, BMW Group sales in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) down by 35.9 percent. Company continued to gain market share in 2008. Woodcliff Lake, NJ - January 5, 2009… The BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) reported December sales of 21,626 vehicles, a decrease of 35.9 percent over the 33,761 vehicles sold in December 2007. The BMW Group also reported a 2008 sales volume of 303,190 vehicles, down 9.7 percent, compared to 335,840 vehicles in 2007.  Commenting on the 2008 result, Jim O'Donnell, President of BMW of North America, LLC. said: "Low consumer confidence and tight credit was a double whammy in '08 making it a year we'd all like to forget. One bright spot for us was a December of reasonable sales and gaining share in the premium market for the full year. This is a foundation for our 2009 plan of keeping high value leasing and retail financing and introducing 10 new or significantly refined vehicles in the next 24 months that showcase our classic dynamic values and impressive technology that contributes to our class leading efficiency. This will help manage our way through the immediate turmoil but we'll have an equal focus on doing more of the right things that set us up for the market's return."  BMW Brand Sales Sales of BMW brand vehicles decreased 40.2 percent in December for a total of 18,060 compared to 30,199 reported in the same month a year ago. In 2008, BMW brand sales were down 15.2 percent, to 249,113 vehicles compared to 293,795 vehicles sold in 2007. BMW Automobile Sales BMW's automobile sales are down 40.2 percent in December to 13,796 versus 23,064 in the same month a year ago. In 2008, sales decreased by 15.4 percent, to 195,085 automobiles compared to 230,535 in 2007.  BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Sales Sales of BMW Sports Activity Vehicles decreased by 40.2 percent in December to 4,264 vehicles over the 7,135 sold last December. In 2008, sales of BMW Sports Activity Vehicles were down 14.6 percent, to 54,028 vehicles compared to the 63,260 sold in 2007.  MINI Brand Sales  MINI USA reported December sales of 3,566 automobiles, up 0.1 percent from the 3,562 cars sold in December 2007. In 2008, the division reported sales of 54,077 automobiles, an increase of 28.6 percent, compared to the 42,045 cars reported in 2007. "Fuel efficiency and small cars had a big year in 2008 even with low fuel prices slowing down the positive sales development in the past few months," said Jim McDowell, Vice-President of MINI USA. "A balance of rational and emotional reasons are going to be the way of the future to continue small car growth in the U.S. MINI's success in 2008 may be a good indication of this balance."  Table: Sales BMW of North America, LLC, December 2008  Dec. 2008 Dec..  2007 % YTD 2008 YTD 2007 % BMW brand 18,060 30,199 -40.2 249,113 293,795 -15.2 BMW passenger cars 13,796 23,064 -40.2 195,085 230,535 -15.4 BMW light trucks  (SAVs) 4,264 7,135 -40.2 54,028 63,260 -14.6 MINI brand 3,566 3,562 0.1 54,077 42,045 28.6 TOTAL Group 21,626 33,761 -35.9 303,190 335,840 -9.7 And at the end,  here is a comparison table from Autoblog, illustrating various car manufactures and their overall sales.