Remember when BMW sold just the 3-, 5-, and 7-Series? And maybe the 6-Series briefly, and a few Ms? Now, the carmaker seems to sell an infinite number of configurations. This led me to ask, how does a typical dealership stock all of these different cars? Is it even possible?
I am using Weatherford BMW in Berkeley as an example. It is a good sized dealership with large turnover. The categories I have listed are based on BMW USA's official website. Weatherford has 132 new (2013 and 2014) cars in its current inventory:
1-Series Coupe: 10
1-Series Convertible: 0
1-Series ActiveE: 0
3-Series Sedan: 47
3-Series ActiveHybrid: 0
3-Series Wagon: 3
3-Series Gran Turismo: 4
3-Series Coupe: 2
3-Series Convertible: 4
4-Series Coupe: 0
5-Series Sedan: 18
5-Series ActiveHybrid: 1
5-Series Gran Turismo: 1
6-Series Coupe: 0
6-Series Gran Coupe: 4
6-Series Convertible: 0
7-Series Sedan: 2
7-Series ActiveHybrid: 0
X1: 6
X3: 12
X5: 11
X6: 2
Z4 Roadster: 0
M3 Convertible: 0
M5 Sedan: 0
M6 Coupe: 1
M6 Gran Coupe: 0
M6 Convertible: 1
X5 M: 1
X6 M: 0
The only thing that is not surprising is that 3- and 5-Series sedans are very popular. What I am shocked about is that there are no Z4s on the lot and only three Ms (an M6 coupe, an M6 convertible, and an X5 M). Plus, what the heck are 1-Series 3- and 5-doors?! This hyper-fragmented inventory is just bonkers!!!
Maybe I'll look at the inventories of the other local BMW dealers this weekend.
Edit: I took out the 1-Series 3- and 5-doors as well as the M3 coupe and the 5-Series wagon, which are not available here.
1-Series 3-door:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.bmw.com/com/en/newvehicles/1series/3door/2012/showroom/
1-Series 5-door:
http://www.bmw.com/com/en/newvehicles/1series/5door/2011/showroom/index.html
Neither is sold in the USA.
(USA! USA!)
@mtc: You're right. I looked up BMW AG. That's what happens when you blog before coffee in the morning.
ReplyDeleteI will revise and add data from other local dealers this weekend.
And you just wait for the upcoming i3, i8 and who know what else!
ReplyDelete