Dealers clobbering BMW for more vehicles

BMW dealers are “clobbering” the German auto maker for more product. BMW sales are hot. As a result, dealers' supply of BMWs is a low 15-days. The industry benchmark says a 60-day supply is about right.

Dealers are telling the German manufacturer that they could sell a lot more vehicles. Accordingly, BMW is trying to boost production, but not so much as to hurt high profit margins or detract from the mystic of the German luxury brand.

BMW, which posted record revenues and profits last year is on the path to do it again in 2002. Its unit sales of about 900,000 last year — also an all-time high — likely are to be topped again this year, and there appears no end in sight to volume growth.

A spate of new products is planned, including a new entry 1-Series model; the ‘04 × 3 cross/utility vehicle that will slot below the popular X5 in both price and size; and the revival of the 6-Series (coupe and convertible) in ‘04; and a stable of Mini derivatives.

With all the product in the pipeline and new assembly capacity on tap to build it, it's not a stretch when officials say BMW sales could rise to 1.3 million within five years.