BMW Drops X6 ActiveHybrid from U.S. Lineup after Poor Sales

At a time when automakers are presenting one hybrid after the other, BMW has is doing the exact opposite: the Bavarian company is killing the ActiveHybrid X6 SUV from its U.S. line-up. Dave Buchko, a spokesperson for BMW North America confirmed the news to enthusiast website Bimmerfile.

The full-hybrid variant of the X6 crossover was only just launched in 2009 as a 2010MY primarily targeting U.S. buyers, but sales on this side of the Atlantic proved to be poor.

The reason wasn't a lack of power: with a combined output of 480HP and a peak torque of 771.9 Nm (575 lb-ft) from its turbocharged V8 gasoline engine and two electric motors, the hybrid X6 could accelerate from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in a mere 5.4 sec.

No, the reason the X6 ActiveHybrid is waving good-bye to the American market is more pedantic: it is extremely pricey at US$88,900 and doesn't offer any significant gains in terms of fuel consumption as it tips the scales at 5,401 pounds (2,450 kg).

Apparently, most buyers of the X6 were more than willing to shell out the extra… six hundred bucks and opt for the US$89,500 550HP X6 M, even if it consumed 12% more gas the ActiveHybrid.

 

PHOTO GALLERY

Read More

BMW Tops Competitors for 5th Consecutive Month in the U.S

BMW continues to expand its lead in the US luxury car market against its main rivals and Lexus. August was the fifth consecutive month in which the Munich-based carmaker was at the top spot with 20,815 deliveries, an increase of 6.5% compared to the same month of 2010.

 

On the contrary, Mercedes’ sales decreased by 1.9% in August, to 18,477 units while Lexus, which still suffers from the aftermath of the March 11 earthquake, dropped even more, by 7% to 18,103 cars. Thus, it is almost certain that, after 11 years at the top, Lexus will be relegated to second or perhaps even third place among luxury car manufacturers.

“This has been a very strange August for our industry, with both difficult news and unfortunate events –consumer confidence down and an earthquake, hurricanes and floods in the Northeast”, said head of BMW North America, Jim O’Donnell.

Despite this, BMW expanded its sales lead from the beginning of the year with a 12% increase, delivering 155,929 units. Its August sales were boosted considerably by the 41% increase in 5-Series deliveries and by the new X3, which almost tripled its sales, from 892 cars in 2010 to 2,382 this year.

Mercedes-Benz' year-to-date sales have also increased, albeit at half the rate (6.1%) to 148,409 units and Lexus, as we said, faced a sharp decrease of 17% to 120,652 cars.

Analysts, such as TrueCar’s Jesse Torpak, comment that the increased incentive spending has also contributed to BMW’s rise: “They are being aggressive: $299 a month for a 3-Series versus what you’re going to get for an Accord? Of course you’re going to get a BMW. It is selling down its inventory before offering a new version next year, as well as trying to secure the sales race victory over Mercedes.”

Story source: Bloomberg

 

PHOTO GALLERY

Read More