The Demo Site

Lost in the bevy of numbers that is the Autoblog monthly sales report is the fact that Volvo just isn't selling very many cars in the U.S. any more. The Swedish automaker only sold 5577 units in May, and the downward trend started way before the automotive market hit the crapper. Given the sad state of Volvo of late, it's little wonder that Ford is desperately trying to sell the once profitable automaker.
Just because times are tough at Volvo doesn't mean it's time to give up. Volvo's new marketing initiative for the month of June addresses cost of ownership head-on. The Safe + Sound coverage plan is one of the most comprehensive warranty programs ever offered by any automaker. It includes 5 year/60,000 mile warranty coverage plus 5/60,000 free scheduled maintenance, 24/7 roadside assistance, and - get this - wear and tear coverage that includes everything from wipers to brakes and rotors. Hit the jump to view the details on Volvo's Safe + Sound plan.
[Source: Volvo]

The Hyundai Assurance program may well go down as the most innovative and perhaps successful marketing campaign of 2009. The program was so perfect for our economic times that General Motors and Ford eventually followed suit with very similar offers. But according to The New York Times, Hyundai's marketing magic may have worn out with the South Korean automaker's newest offer - an incentive that sounds great until you dig just beneath the surface.
The new Hyundai campaign promises to pay customers during the first six vehicle payments on any model purchased before June 30. As you likely already know, the payment paradigm usually works the other way around, and the new Hyundai plan sounds like a real winner for the customer. In fact, though, the payment basically takes the place of a lump sum cash incentive that would normally be due at signing. That's right, we're talking about the repackaging of existing customer rebates. In this case, you get six small payments (on a Visa card) spread out over six months instead of one big rebate that you would traditionally receive up front. When considering the fact that the standard lump sum rebate can often be used to lower your car payments - while also taking a bite out of interest payments through the life of the loan - we'll take our rebates the old fashioned way.
[Source: The New York Times via Kicking Tires]

If there is one thing we know for sure about us, the BMW fans and owners, is that we all come from different backgrounds, but we have one thing in common:  a passion for our bimmers. So when ABC World News went to interview Andrew Feuster, astronaut aboard the space shuttle Atlantis, and found him in his garage working on a BMW M3, we knew we had to bring this upfront.

Sure, there are no breaking news here nor any cool spy photos, but it is great to see that BMW fans can be found on all the social scales, even in the NASA world. Andrew is a car guy like many of us, but thanks to his M.S. in geophysics from Purdue University and the Ph.D from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, he managed to fulfil his dream.

Beside all the geeky organizations he’s part of, Andrew also is a proud member of the BMW Car Club of America. As an interesting fact, in his youth, Andrew paid his way through college by restoring old cars.

Great to see that his passion for the BMW M Power engine has not faded away, despite the high-tech things he gets to play with in the space. Watch his interview on ABC News

[Source: ABC World News ]

Car and Driver has once again come up with an interesting review of some of the …let’s say, not very often compared vehicles. Most of the BMW reviews or comparisons are made around the popular 335i, while the “little brother” 328i, seems to be often overlooked. We’re guilty of that as well, but with the Car and Driver help, we will fix that today.

So, they decided to test the BMW 328i against other popular vehicles in its class: Infiniti G37, Audi A4 2.0T and the Acura TL SH-AWD. Will the C&D’s conclusion reported back in January still remain today? “What the 328i does better than its peers is combine the ingredients of the perfect sports sedan: driving dynamics and luxury.”

Well, shall we find out?

“For executives undergoing painful downsizing, may we suggest something in the $40,000 range, smart yet modest in posture compared with the usual CEO barge. Something in a sports sedan would keep the mood casual. Just in time, we have two new international choices: the bravely chiseled Acura TL and the softly molded Audi A4.

The Acura, apart from its polarizing, sharply creased style, brings Honda’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive to the middleweight sports class. The A4 brings variable lift on the exhaust valves of the 2.0-liter turbo four, upping output 11 horses to 211.

They join two other old favorites that have been smartly upgraded for 2009: BMW’s ever-popular 328i gets new headlights and hood in front; new wheels, mirrors, and sills in the side view; new taillights, decklid, and bumper in back; and of course, an increment of $900 on the bottom line. The Infiniti G35 of last year is now vitamin fortified and rechristened G37 to reflect the V-6 upsizing to 3.7 liters from 3.5. The previous 306-horse version romped all comers at the drag strip. They should expect even less mercy now.”

Continue reading BMW 328i vs. Infiniti G37, Audi A4 2.0T, Acura TL SH-AWD

BMW Group sales in the U.S. have improved compared to the previous month. In May, BMW North America reported that overall sales across their MINI and BMW models was down 27.7%, a 10% improvement over last month.

This represents the best month for BMW this year and something to look forward while entering the summer. At the same time, BMW announced that the high-volume seller 3 Series hit two million units sold since the launch of the first 3 Series (320i) in November 1976.

We also applaud BMW for becoming more interactive in the social media field with the introduction of an Youtube channel where Rich Brekus, General Manager - New Car Sales BMW Brand, BMW of North America, delivers their monthly report.

Full Press Release and video below

Overall sales (BMW and MINI) down 27.7 percent in May
- BMW brand reported best month so far this year
- BMW 3 Series hits two million milestone since its introduction in the US in 1976
Woodcliff Lake, NJ – June 2, 2009… The BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) reported May sales of 22,993 vehicles, a decrease of 27.7 percent from the 31,781 vehicles sold in the same month of 2008. The BMW Group also reported a year-to-date sales volume of 93,599 vehicles, down 29 percent, compared to 131,758 vehicles sold in the same period a year ago.

BMW Brand Sales
With 18,383 vehicles sold, the BMW brand reported its best month so far this year. Compared to the 25,469 vehicles reported in the same month a year ago, this is a decrease of 27.8 percent. Year-to-date, BMW brand sales were down 30.5 percent to 76,819 vehicles compared to 110,569 vehicles sold in the same period of 2008.

“This month, the Northeast and Midwest showed signs of buyers’ interest and that’s a positive aspect for the entire premium market,” said Jim O’Donnell, President of BMW of North America, LLC. “As we have been seeing all year, customers remain cautious, and when they shop for premium products they are buying brands that have a history of value, dependability and enduring quality. This has helped sales in our core 3 Series, 5 Series and X5 range.”

The company’s Ultimate Service including the four-year, no cost maintenance program combined with one of the highest residual values in the industry further contributes to BMW being a safe and secure purchase in this environment.

In May, the BMW 3 Series reached an important milestone in the U.S. with over two million units sold since the launch of the first 3 Series (320i) in November 1976. The BMW 3 Series has remained the unrivaled benchmark in the premium segment for more than 30 years.

Click to see additional video commentary by Rich Brekus, General Manager – New Car Sales, BMW of North America, LLC regarding BMW’s sales performance in May.

BMW Certified Pre-Owned (CPO)
Sales of BMW’s Certified Pre-Owned vehicles are up 8.3 percent, to 10,410 CPO vehicles versus 9,616 vehicles reported last May 2008. Year-to-date, CPO sales are up 9.8 percent, to 48,410 over the 44,077 reported in the same period of 2008. Since the beginning of the year, BMW has seen a strong performance of its certified used car business with May being the second best month in the history of the CPO program.

MINI Brand Sales
MINI USA reported sales of 4,610 automobiles, down 27 percent from the 6,312 cars sold in May 2008. Year-to-date, MINI USA also reported sales of 16,780 automobiles, a decrease of 20.8 percent, compared to the 21,189 cars reported in May 2008.

“In May, the small car market continued to be soft due to restraint in new car purchases and gas prices that are around 40 percent lower than a year ago,” said Jim McDowell, Vice President of MINI USA. “Nonetheless, once again last month, MINI sales improved over the previous month and we continued to outperform the segment by a wide margin.”