BMW June 2012 Sales Up 3.2%
 

As the 3-Series popularity wanes (or is that Wayne's ;)), the 5-Series is picking right back up where it left off.

Wayne Gerdes - CleanMPG - July 3, 2012

2012 BMW 5-Series (and so what if the pic is of the 80 + mpg capable European 520d with the 2.0L SuperDiesel that we cannot own or drive :() -- $46,900 to start and a 23/34 mpgUS city/highway rating when equipped with the 240HP direct injected and turbo’ed 2.0L I4.

The new 2.0L combines high-pressure direct-injection and BMW’s VALVETRONIC intake control with a forced induction from a single twin-scroll turbocharger.

The I4 engine with its all-aluminum crankcase is significantly lighter and more compact than an i or V6 engine of equivalent power. The exhaust streams leaving the two pairs of cylinders are kept completely separate as they flow through the exhaust manifold and the turbocharger, taking a spiral path to the turbine wheel. This configuration results in very low exhaust back pressure at low engine rpm, and allows the energy of the exhaust gas pulses to be optimally managed and translated into powerful rotation of the turbine blades, without a delay in throttle response.

The patented BMW VALVETRONIC system with seamlessly variable intake valve lift control dispenses with the throttle valve system typical of conventional engines. Instead, combustion air mass is controlled inside the engine, resulting in much faster response. Pumping losses are kept to a minimum, making the engine more efficient.

The direct-injection system also helps to improve efficiency. Centrally positioned between the valves, solenoid (not piezoelectric) injectors with a maximum injection pressure of 2,900 psi precisely control the supply of fuel. The fuel is injected very close to the spark plug, resulting in cleaner burning and more efficient combustion.

The cooling effect of the injected fuel also allows for a higher compression ratio than might otherwise be possible. This results in further efficiency improvements. In the 2012 528i this new engine is mated to BMW’s newest 8-speed automatic transmission. The 2012 528i accelerates to 60 mph in just 6.2 seconds yet delivers up to 15 percent better fuel efficiency. In other words, the 23/34 mpgUS rated mid-sized is capable of leaving tire tracks on dry pavement with the press of the go pedal while not having to make apology’s for its indulgences to anyone!

Auto Start/Stop

In addition to BMW EfficientDynamics technologies like Brake Energy Regeneration, the 2012 BMW 528i features Auto Start/Stop that can be turned off. This feature turns the engine off when the car is stationary at traffic lights or in slow-moving traffic in order to minimize idling. An ECO PRO mode, which is activated by the driving experience switch, adjusts the engine map, heating, air conditioning, and mirror/seat heating to minimize fuel consumption. The resulting increase in range is shown on a display.

While the 2012 528i will not match the fuel economy of its German cousins with the 2.0L super diesels onboard, it is BMW’s version of EfficientDynamics for North America. The new I4 will provide a whole new breed of BMW drivers and enthusiasts the opportunity to drive what will arguably be called one of if not the best I4 available anywhere.

BMW June Sales

BMW (BMW and MINI combined) reported June US sales of 27,720 vehicles, an increase of 3.2 percent from the 26,865 vehicles sold in June of 2011. Year-to-date, BMW Group sales are up 10.5 percent on sales of 158,563 in the first six months of 2012 compared to 143,521 in the same period in 2011.

BMW

Sales of BMW vehicles increased 0.4 percent in June for a total of 21,725 compared to 21,637 vehicles sold in June, 2011. Year-to-date, the BMW brand is up 11.3 percent on sales of 126,504 compared to 113,705 sold in the first six months of 2011.

In June, best performing vehicles included the 3 Series, down 26.4% to 6,740 vehicles sold and the 5 Series, up 23.1 percent to 5,374 vehicles sold.

The SUV/CUV is Alive and Well in BMW land

The Sports Activity Vehicle segment (X3, X5 and X6) was up 21.5 percent to 7,489 vehicles sitting in new owners driveways last month.

MINI

MINI reported sales of 5,995 automobiles in June, an increase of 14.7 percent from the 5,228 sold in June 2011. Year-to-date, MINI sales in the U.S. are up 7.5 percent on volume of 32,059 compared to 29,816 in the first six months of 2011.


Top 10 Sales Leaders - Items of note: Camry swapped places from 2 to 3 with the Chevrolet Silverado while the F-Series punched through the 50,000 mark for the fourth consecutive month. Malibu jumped from 7th to 3rd, Accord climbed one from 6th to 5th, Escape leapt from off the list last month to 6th this, the Civic fell from 4th to 7th, the Corolla fell from 5th to 8th, Fusion fell from 8th to 9th and RAM fell from 9th to 10th. The CR-V fell off the list by a few hundred vehicles.

B-Segment Sales Rank

1. Nissan Versa - 8,746
2. Chevrolet Sonic - 6,785
3. Hyundai Accent - 5,660
4. Ford Fiesta - 4,589
5. Honda Fit - 4,584
6. Kia Rio - 3,668
7. Toyota Yaris - 2,007
8. Mazda2 - 938

C-Segment Sales Rank

1. Honda Civic - 27,500
2. Toyota Corolla - 26,647
3. Ford Focus - 21,186
4. Chevrolet Cruze - 18,983
5. Hyundai Elantra - 17,655
6. VW Jetta - 11,598
7. Nissan Sentra - 9,211
8. Mazda3 - 8,835
9. Kia Forte - 7,461

D-Segment Sales Rank

1. Toyota Camry - 32,107
2. Chevrolet Malibu - 31,402
3. Honda Accord - 28,924
4. Ford Fusion - 24,433
5. Nissan Altima - 21,812
6. Hyundai Sonata - 20,931
7. Kia Optima - 13,393
8. Chrysler 200 - 10,871
9. VW Passat - 10,252

Segment ranking items of note: In the B-Segment ranks, the Fit and Rio swapped positions while Yaris sales fell sharply. The C-Segment ranks did not change other than the Sentra jumping two places ahead of both the Mazda3 and Kia Forte. The D-Segment ranks saw the Accord swap places with the Malibu from 2nd to 3rd .

Automobile Manufacturer's US Sales Rank – June 2012 vs. June 2011 Comparison and Total Sales

1. GM June Sales up 15.5% with 248,750 vehicles sold.
2. Ford June Sales up 7.0% with 207,759 vehicles sold.
3. Toyota June Sales up 60.3% with 177,795 vehicles sold.
4. Chrysler June Sales up 20.3% with 144,811 vehicles sold.
5. Honda June Sales up 48.8% with 124,808 vehicles sold.
6. Nissan June Sales up 28.2% with 92,237 vehicles sold.
7. Hyundai June Sales up 7.8% with 63,813 vehicles sold.
8. Kia June Sales up 13.9% with 51,326 vehicles sold.
9. VW June Sales up 34.2% with 38,170 vehicles sold.
10. BMW June Sales up 3.2% with 27,720 vehicles sold.
11. Subaru June Sales up 40.0% with 27,702 vehicles sold.
12. Mercedes-Benz June Sales up 12.5% with 25,388 vehicles sold.
13. Mazda June Sales up 3.1% with 19,911 vehicles sold.
14. Audi June Sales up 26.0% with 12,664 vehicles sold.

Through the first six months of 2012, the Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate (SAAR) is running at approximately 14.3 million.