BMW Looking to Sell 100,000+ M3s
According to a report in Automotive News, BMW is hoping to sell in excess of 100,000 new M3s. If it succeeds, that will continue the car’s upward trend of continuing to sell more of each generation.
In its first generation (1986), just 18,000 of the cult favorite were sold, followed by the wider-appeal second generation model (1992-1999), which accounted for 72,000 units. BMW ceased production of the third generation car just last year, having sold some 90,000 copies. BMW believes that the eagerly-awaited fourth-generation car will find even wider appeal, with 100,000 units.
Our European Editor Matt Davis was on the M3’s European launch recently (he is filing a full report for the next issue of WINDING ROAD), and judging from what he and other journalists have been saying about BMW’s latest and greatest, it should have no trouble reaching its goal.
+ Automotive News: BMW aims to sell more than 100,000 M3s (subscription may be required)
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Comments
The Stig
Take the iDrive garbage out of it and they'll only have 99,999 more to go.
Mark Arnold
Well, they are bringing back the 4dr model, arn't they? So is this really saying much?
Anyone know how many 996s Porsche sold?
bil
100k = not so exclusive
Jeff
I think it's important to note that they look like they're on track to launch the Convertible earlier than they did with the E46, and the Sedan is making a comeback, so I think that 100k is a reasonable number. Something that may or may not have been toyed with is an M3 wagon- why not? The Euro M5 has one, MB makes wagon AMGs, and Audi makes wagon "S" models. I'd take the M3 over those competitors any day. And since this is only 10,000 more than the E46 sales, I think that this is a good target number.
jrlombard
As a long time Bimmer-phile and current owner of my 4th M3, an X5 and an R1100S, I'm disappointed that BMW seems to be taking the broad-stroke approach to their M-cars. They used to be exclusive, lightweight, sporty machines that looked similar enough to the standard cars, yet had subtle distinguishing features that stood out if gazed on by enthusiasts. The fact that this new M3 is so, ahem, questionably styled, ridiculously heavy, and is being made in such huge quantities makes it VERY likely that I'll be looking elsewhere later this year when I start shopping for my next ride.
The M-cars used to be the tip-top pinnacle version of the Ultimate Driving Machine. Now it's starting to sink in that in reality, BMW is really tailoring their M-badge away from the enthusiast market and more toward the selling the Ultimate Posing Machine.
If short term $$$ is what it's all about, more power to them. Their current product line-up has "outgrown" this customer.
Gerard
BMW has gone the Ferrari route: sell-out.
Johnny Rocket
I kinda like it. This is 100,000 overall, not that much over the previous.
P.-A.
Good Luck ! LOL
dante
BMWs are almost as common as Toyotas in the Boston area. No thanks.
saru-kun
I agree with jrlombard. Although I've never owned a BMW I was hoping to make this new M3 my first. The press I've read about it so far has had common themes of "softness" and "appeals to a wider audience".
Johnny Rocket
I think Dante hit it on the spot.
option12
haters. Lets all keep moving backwards in time. It sounds like that would make you girls happy.
Mena
option12, it's not about staying "backward", it's about keeping the M3 a sporting machine like it's always been. There are PLENTY of cruisers out there to choose from, the M3 does NOT have to be one of them. I personally stopped liking the M3 when the second gen model came out. They lost the original purpose right there. Honestly, with the 335i having twin turbo's and lighter weight, why buy an M3? A $2600 upgrade package from Vishnu puts you right at the M3's hp level and WAY over the M3's torque level. All you need is some coilovers and a LSD and bye bye M3.
digitalzombie
COME ON G35!! LOL i have stocks in Nissan. Anyway, I dunno, reliability for BMW seems sketchy compare to the good ol' VQ series. But the stupid G37 should loose some pounds. T_T
Winding Road » Archive » Official 2008 BMW M3 Sedan Photos
[...] BMW is hoping you haven’t tried to put down a deposit for the 2008 Lexus IS-F just yet. Our favorite Bavarians are offering a sedan version of the potent 2008 M3 we already love. [...]
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