WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J., April 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) reported March sales of 26,382 vehicles, an increase of 21.7 percent from the 21,670 vehicles sold in the same month a year ago.  

Year-to-date, BMW Group is up 18% on sales of 64,958 in the first three months of 2011 compared 55,051 in the same period in 2010.

"Three months into 2011, we're now seeing our consumer base becoming increasingly comfortable with the moderate pace of economic recovery," said Jim O'Donnell, President and CEO of BMW of North America, LLC.  "Those with attractive vehicles, such as the new BMW 5 Series and X3 and the MINI Countryman, are right in the sweet spot of opportunity as we are seeing with the X3 and the Countryman accounting for more than 9,000 year-to-date sales of the BMW Group in the U.S."

BMW Brand Sales

Sales of BMW brand vehicles increased 12.4% in March for a total of 20,295 compared to 18,060 vehicles sold in March, 2010.

Year-to-date, the BMW brand is up 13.6% on sales of 52,617 January to March compared to 46,323 sold in the first three months of 2010.

In March, best performing vehicles included the new X3 SAV – now on sale in the U.S. for two full months - up 270% to 2,648 units; the 5 Series, up 55.6% to 4,491 units and the 7 Series, up 40% to 1,027 units.  The BMW SAV segment (X3, X5, X6) continues to show growth with sales up 36.5% from the previous March.  

BMW Pre-Owned Vehicles

In March, sales of BMW used vehicles (including certified pre-owned and pre-owned) totaled 14,773, a decrease of 7.3% from the 15, 938 sold in March 2010.  

Year-to-date, BMW used vehicle sales are down 1.6% on volume of 39,214 compared to 39,848 in the first three months of 2010.

MINI Brand Sales

MINI USA reported sales of 6,087 automobiles making it the best March and the 2nd best sales month ever in the U.S.  March 2011 sales are an increase of 68.6% over the 3,610 sold in March, 2010.

Year-to-date, MINI sales in the U.S. are up 41.4% on volume of 12,341 compared to 8,728 in the first three months of 2010.

BMW Group In America

BMW of North America, LLC has been present in the United States since 1975.  Rolls-Royce Motor Cars NA, LLC began distributing vehicles in 2003.  The BMW Group in the United States has grown to include marketing, sales, and financial service organizations for the BMW brand of motor vehicles, including motorcycles, the MINI brand, and the Rolls-Royce brand of Motor Cars; DesignworksUSA, a strategic design consultancy in California; a technology office in Silicon Valley and various other operations throughout the country.  BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC in South Carolina is part of BMW Group's global manufacturing network and is the exclusive manufacturing plant for all X5 and X3 Sports Activity Vehicles and X6 Sports Activity Coupes.  The BMW Group sales organization is represented in the U.S. through networks of 338 BMW passenger car and BMW Sports Activity Vehicle centers, 138 BMW motorcycle retailers, 103 MINI passenger car dealers, and 30 Rolls-Royce Motor Car dealers.  BMW (US) Holding Corp., the BMW Group's sales headquarters for North America, is located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.

Information about BMW Group products is available to consumers via the Internet at:  www.bmwgroupna.com

Journalist note: Information about BMW Group and its products in the USA is available to journalists on-line at www.bmwgroupusanews.com and www.press.bmwna.com.  

SOURCE BMW of North America, LLC