New Z4 sales continue to slump in the US

[USZ4]

Only 87 new Z4's were sold in the U.S. during April 2015. This is yet another month when U.S. Z4 sales were down compared to 2014. April 2014 U.S. sales volume was 142. Worldwide Z4 sales in April 2015 were 889 compared to 991 in April 2014.

Big cars are still king in the U.S. when fuel is cheap ($2.34 per gallon of V-Power). 7 series sales were up 124% In April.

How long can BMW continue to make the current Z4 with these dismal sales numbers?

 

[GuidoK]

I think the e89 sales are a disappointment all toghether.
If you look historically, the z3 was pretty much a succes, the next z4 (e85) only sold half those numbers in the same timespan, and I'd be surprised if the total e89 sales are half of that.
It's not the US alone, it's worldwide (the US is probably the most important market though).
With the E89 running towards the end of it's lifespan you hear the strangest rumours on successors. Maybe even 2 successors (a small and a big one). But with sales numbers like this....I think investors are reluctant.

What I also think was a big miss was not making an /m model of the e89.
Especially when you think that they had huge successes in GT3 racing with the e89 with a V8 engine.
They should have converted that success to marketing value. Maybe not for that particular model to boost sales, but as an image statement.
With the huge bonnet, getting a v8 in should be doable and still dealer serviceable. They had the v8 lying around, they had the drivetrain (with LSD) etc etc.
Missed oppertunity.

 

[Maniac]

The market statistics indicate it's not a Z4 thing. It's a roadster thing with all brands suffering slow sales in this sector. Very few brands are launching cars like this now.

 

[flybobbie]

Well they seemed to have sold well in the UK at least 23i.
My drive home Thursday, which is 15 minutes long, 3 passed me.(So that made six I see that day).
Perhaps even the Yanks are looking for fuel economy and don't fancy the thirsty 2 seat cars.

 

[Visionist]

I hope a successor isn't launched anytime soon. I like having the latest model

 

[sars]

There are also a lot more convertibles to choose from in the market place, BMW have four, AUDI have four and Mercedes have three with another two in development.

As for a Z4 replacement, rumors are before 2020, I know it's only 5 years away but holy cow, it seems like only yesterday we were partying like it was 1999

 

[pvr]

BMW is launching so many new models lately, to the point that I don't recognise all of them anymore. I would not be surprised if they split this segment into two as well to try to lure two different types of customer - the MX5 / Z3 segment with a sportier car, and the SLK segment for the cruiser.

Both low volumes, but that seems to be their strategy now.

 

[Billy]

BMW is launching so many new models lately, to the point that I don't recognise all of them anymore. I would not be surprised if they split this segment into two as well to try to lure two different types of customer - the MX5 / Z3 segment with a sportier car, and the SLK segment for the cruiser.

Both low volumes, but that seems to be their strategy now.

It has gotten a bit ridiculous, 29 if you don't count the Ms or Active Hybrids as separate models:

1 Series (F20): 5-door Hatchback
1 Series (F21): 3-door Hatchback

2 Series (F22): Coupe
2 Series (F22): Convertible
2 Series Active Tourer (F45): Compact MPV
2 Series Gran Tourer (F46): MPV

3 Series (F30): Sedan
3 Series (F35): Sedan long wheelbase
3 Series (F31): Wagon/Touring
3 Series (F34): Gran Tourismo (GT)

4 Series (F32): Coupe
4 Series (F33): Convertible
4 Series (F36): Gran Coupe

5 Series (F10): Sedan
5 Series (F11): Wagon/Touring
5 Series (F07): Gran Turismo

6 Series (F13): Coupe
6 Series (F12): Convertible
6 Series (F06): Gran Coupe

7 Series (F01): Sedan
7 Series (F02): Sedan long wheelbase

BMW i3: Electric vehicle
BMW i8: Hybrid sports car

X1 (E84): Compact Crossover SUV/Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV)
X3 (F25): Compact Crossover SUV/Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV)
X4 (F26): Sports Activity Coupe
X5 (F15): Mid-Size Crossover SUV/Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV)
X6 (F16): Sports Activity Coupe

Z4 (E89): Sports Roadster

 

[USZ4]

Z4 sales are so poor here that local dealers are selling new Z4's for 10% under list price. The discount for a 4 banger Z4 is even larger. Local CA told me that they cannot give away a 2.8 Z4. The very few Z4 customers usually want a 6 cylinder car.

 

[Angie4m]

Z4 sales are so poor here that local dealers are selling new Z4's for 10% under list price. The discount for a 4 banger Z4 is even larger. Local CA told me that they cannot give away a 2.8 Z4. The very few Z4 customers usually want a 6 cylinder car.

Lol! Only 10% you should see some of the discounts BMW UK have been offering here I think so have had in excess of 30% and that's on 6 cylinders. Discounts to be had on 4 cylinder models but they sell well anyway due to cheap lease deals with low deposits and low payments over the term and then they just hand them back.

 

[USZ4]

6%- 8% discount on a new BMW is the norm on non-M models here. A double digit % discount is rare on a current year model. Some token BMW incentives occur annually (ex. 0.9% annual interest financing and $3k cash back).

 

[Elawyn]

I bought mine in March (ex demo 2015 35is, 5k on the clock), was US$61k with the 8k trade in on my 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe. I have not yet seen another one on the road.

Folks here in NJ (pronounced 'Noo Joisey') are still buying new cars tho, I've seen a couple of X6's (and no, I didn't point and laugh at them), one Porsche and pulled up behind a shiny new Corvette at the on-ramp yesterday. I haven't seen many folks in convertibles with the top down (maybe 2 or 3 in the last month), but that may be because the weather hasn't been much above 60f yet.

I'd considered a number of different vehicles for my long delayed 'mid-life crisis' , including (but not limited to) Corvette Z06, Challenger SRT/Scat, Mustang GT, Lotus and even a Dodge Viper! Decided that a couple of those were just too far 'over the top'. The Z (pronounced 'zee'! ) was my final choice for a number of reasons (including exclusivity, dealer is only a couple of miles away, great looks). Also, hard top folding convertible instead of soft top so I don't have to worry about some idiot with a box cutter. I'm very happy with it, it's a lot of fun to drive, goes like stink.

My only complaint so far tho, I haven't come back to it in the parking lot to find it surrounded by super-models all eager to go for a ride. Perhaps when the weather warms up!

 

[Nictrix]

I like the fact that they dont sell in big numbers.
It makes them a bit more exclusive and we still come across people who ask what it is.

 

[Stark]

Good to see you didn't go American.....they have a very poor reputation here....and I stand by that regardless of what anyone else says here

 

[shackman]

I just ordered a 2016 Z4 28i for European Delivery in June, and they sold two on the lot last month at my local dealer. They are relatively common here in New Mexico with our 350 days of sun, particularly Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Like someone else said above, I like it that they are not common. That was part of the point for my long delayed mid-life crisis, or as my wife likes to say, my "wacky car".

 

[jmb]

I think it's like Maniac said, it's just not a popular type of car right now. In the UK at least, it seems everyone wants those sporty fake-suv crossover-lifestyle thingies (Nissan cash-cow etc.).