BMW Sales Down 2.3% in First Half of 2012 but Record Finish Still Predicted

BMW predicts a record year for motorcycle sales despite a 2.3% dip over the first six months.

The first half of 2012 saw BMW sell 59,189 units, down from the 60,580 units reported for the same period in 2011. The decrease is primarily because of a 13.2% drop in sales in June. BMW sold 10,271 units during the month, compared to 11,831 units in June 2011.

Excluding June, BMW’s January to May sales figures totaled 48,918 units, up from 48,749 sold over the first five months of 2012. BMW attributes the disappointing June sales to the economy in key southern European countries.

“As expected, the economic situation in the southern European motorcycle markets in particular led to a marked decline in purchasing activity among motorcycle customers in June 2012. From a worldwide perspective, motorcycle markets are developing unevenly,” says Heiner Faust, head of sales and marketing for BMW Motorrad. “All in all, BMW Motorrad has been able to assert itself well within this difficult market environment. For example, we are the market leader in the over 500 cc segment in Germany, Italy and Spain.”

BMW expects to rebound over the second half of 2012 with the introduction of the C600 Sport and C650 GT scooters expected in July, and the rest of BMW’s recently-announced 2013 model lineup including the F800GS and F700GS which will begin shipping in September.

“We will be providing a powerful purchase impetus in the second half of 2012 with our innovative new products such as the maxi scooters C600 Sport and C650 GT, the new GS models in the entry-level and mid-range segment and other product measures. We are well on the way to achieving an all-time retail high in 2012,” says Faust.

Meanwhile, BMW’s Husqvarna subsidiary continues to rebound. BMW cut Husqvarna production last year as it prepared for a full scale relaunch for 2012 with new models including a return to producing street bikes with the Nuda 900R. According to BMW, Husqvarna shipped 5,235 units in the first half of 2012, up 48.3% from the 3,530 units shipped over the same period in 2011.