REPORT: BMW Threatening To Oust Lexus As #1 Luxury Automaker In U.S.

by Jeremy Korzeniewski (RSS feed)
Jun 30th 2009 at 8:01PM

2009 BMW Z4 sDrive35i - Click above for high-res image gallery

Life is hard at the top, whether that precipice happens to be at the top of the overall sales chart or of a specific market niche, such as Lexus' position as the best-selling luxury automaker in the United States. Toyota's Japanese brand has held the top spot since the year 2000, with BMW perpetually trailing in second place. Could 2009 finally be the year that BMW breaks through to number one?

So far this year, BMW's 76,819 total sales in the States puts the German brand slightly ahead of Lexus, which has moved a total of 73,186 units so far in '09. Both brands are down somewhat from 2008, though BMW's 30.5-percent decline is not quite as severe as Lexus' 37.2-percent fall. Neither automaker is interested in boasting of its successes in this market, though BMW will gladly accept the extra market share. Speaking to Automotive News, Jan Ehlen, a spokesman for BMW of North America, said:

This year's emphasis is on maintaining our market share and even growing our share a bit. If this results in remaining in the top spot of the premium market, that would be a nice bonus.

Gallery: Quick Drive: 2009 BMW Z4 sDrive35i

[Source: Automotive News]

Tags: best selling, best selling luxury automaker, best selling luxury brand, BestSelling, BestSellingLuxuryAutomaker, BestSellingLuxuryBrand, bmw, bmw sales, BmwSales, lexus, lexus sales, LexusSales, luxury car, luxury car sales, luxury cars, LuxuryCar, LuxuryCars, LuxuryCarSales

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

marolie Jul 4th 2009 9:40PM

This is a better looking car .

she7000903 Jul 4th 2009 9:50PM

Why don't these promos of autos ever show the BACK of the car?

Steve Jul 4th 2009 10:26PM

Look at the tires on that BMW. I doubt if I could afford to pay for the spare tire. Can tires that thin be very roadworthy?

taxocrat Jul 4th 2009 11:21PM

No, those trendy tires are useless in bad weather and pothole states. They might work well on a racetrack but few of the poseurs who buy cars with such tires go anywhere but to the country club with them. Hit a pothole and the tire blows and often takes the $1500.00 rim with it. "Not covered by warranty " is what the white coat service droid will tell you.

Pat Jul 5th 2009 3:59PM

BMW has specific tire compounds for tire designs they reccomend and use on their vehicles, which are marked with a star on the side of the tire. I have seen reccomended tires last from 25,000 to 56,000 miles. For those of you with cracked rim and worn out tire problems. Think about this 1. you never check the air pressure in your tires because you own a $50,000 + car and your hand may become soiled if you did. 2. you drive over potholed with your now underinflated tires and crack a rim, which causes your tire to loose almost all pressure. 3. At this point your BMW WILL attempt to alert you of the low pressure condition. 4. now you have a choice, do you A. inflate the tire using the supplied pump B. change the tire for the spare, or call roadside assistance and watch me do it in amazement C. drive on your non runflat tire and ruin it in less than two miles or D. drive on your runflat tire for excessive distances at excessive speeds and ruin it. 5. if you picked answers C or D you lose.

badland bob Jul 4th 2009 10:45PM

It's only my opinion: The low end BMW's to me are over priced for the vehicle you get. The add-on prices for their options and accessories are out of line for what you get as standard equipment on other cars. The fit and finish and the paint on the Lexus are outstanding. No big deal with the BMW maintenance plan. Add up the value of the benefits and it doesn't amount to that much money for a car of this price. The high end BMW's of late are incredibly complicated. Perhaps the new models are better. In any event, drive a BMW, then drive two or three other comparable brands. Then buy or lease the vehicle that you feel most comfortable in.

taxocrat Jul 4th 2009 11:09PM

Bust My Wallet USED to build sport sedans while Lexus has done well building luxo crusiers. Lexus does have a couple of pretty good handling cars with nice motors. You don't find Lexus drivers with their noses in the air, an affliction of even the "where's the rest of your car" cheapo BMW model owners. Best of all, while Break My Windows
may give you "free" (built into the price) service, a well cared for Lexus DOESN'T BREAK. 'Nuff said.

Randy Jul 4th 2009 11:31PM

Who cares? Buy American! Why support another country when ours is so f---ed up?

badhaircut Jul 5th 2009 4:22AM

the only relevant comment - buy a Cadillac CTS -

by-the-way ..... neither BMW nor Lexus gave a penny to 9/11 related charities - the USA companies gave 10 million each plus vehicles - and Harley Davidson gave a million plus many motorcycles

Roy Jul 5th 2009 6:21AM

BMW has a plant in South Carolina. That is in America I thank. Also to badhairday they gave 10 X5,s to the red cross after 9/11

xsoccrplyr Jul 5th 2009 12:07AM

Lexus is nice. BMW - more of a status car. I prefer the newer Audi's over either of the previously mentioned.

sp600 Jul 10th 2009 9:06AM

BMW= Big Money Waster. Hell the only reason BMW had a sales increase was they offered free preventive maintenance. Before that you paid big $ to have simple PM done. Besides its a yuppiemobile so you can brag oh look at my keychain.

Rodney Jul 5th 2009 11:11AM

They have a sales increase because the company has good management. I'm not concerned with anybody looking at my keychain. I'm concerned with a great ride and a vehicle that the manufacturer backs up. I was a diehard GM fanatic - but when I got a 08 Tahoe and they treated me like crap - I traded it in and haven't looked back since.

jim Jul 5th 2009 12:46AM

I never saw a Lexus that didn't make me think "Toyota". I just don't get the hype.

Gr8fenian Jul 5th 2009 1:05AM

I live in Chicago. I own a Jeep. I go where those 2 can't. Winter, potholes, road repair. Chicago just eats those cars up.

st Jul 5th 2009 1:14AM

I almost bought a BMW then started reading about the run flat issue. Beautiful cars and fun to drive but I don't have the time or money to deal with all that crap.

Rob741741 Jul 5th 2009 2:09AM

The only thing(s) driving a BMW says about you is: (1) your parents grew up poor, (2) you know nothing about cars.

Michelle Jul 5th 2009 2:49AM

The only thing your comment says to me...your an idiot! If you knew ANYTHING about cars, you wouldn't drive anything else. If my parents were so broke...how did they buy me that $40,000 car for my 16th birthday? I'm 40 now and i make a very good income. I guess that means i'm not stupid, or i would be like you...broke and unable to afford one of the best cars on the road. My beamer will blow the doors off your crappy mustang...did you need a push? Ha ha ha! See you in my rear view mirror! By the way, how much and how often do you get oil changes? Tune ups? Brake and rotors? I pay for nothing to maintain my car except tires and windshield wipers for 100,000 miles, and i only need an oil change every 15,000 miles! Who's the idiot???

Rodney Jul 5th 2009 10:58AM

Sorry - have to agree with Michelle. I drove a 2008 Chevy Tahoe LTZ - the American company treated me like shit when I brought it in for service, didn't offer a loaner vehicle, and acted as if I was the one who was LUCKY to own one of thier vehicles.

Fast forward to this year - The German company treats me like a king when I enter the showroom. Salespeople and mechanics are brought out to speak of the intricacies of the vehicle. There is no charge for maintaining the vehicle. If service is needed - a loaner car is given so that the customer can enjoy life and not have to postpone appointments etc, because your car is in the shop.

As far as I'm concerned- I'll never buy American again. I'm only 27 so that equates to around 10 more vehicles over my lifetime. GM can die for all I'm concerned.

Victor Damico Jul 5th 2009 2:58AM

I bought a 2009 Caddy CTS this year. I test drove just about every type of Luxery car this year and I think the CTS gives the best overall performance. The 2008 was Motortrends car of the year and I can see why. Superior handling, comfort, and plenty of punch. I think the styling beats everything out there. You can say what you want about American car's but this car is a ass kicker.

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