CYCLE – BMW’s U.S. Cycle Sales Drop in 2004

The Munich-based BMW Group posted 2004 year-end revenues of euro 44.335 billion ($57.838 billion), 6.8% higher than the euro 41.525 billion posted in 2003.
Total worldwide motorcycle sales were 92,266 units, a .7% drop from the 92,962 units retailed in 2003. The company says revenues from motorcycle sales in 2004 were euro 1.029 billion, down 2.5% from revenues of euro 1.055 billion in 2003.
Revenues of the Automobile segment rose by 11.0% to euro 42.544 billion, while revenues of the Financial Services segment rose by 8.5% to euro 8.226 billion.
BMW Motorrad USA retailed 13,316 new units in the United States in 2004, down from the company’s record sales of 15,299 units in 2003. Collectively, sales of the RT, GS and LT models accounted for 51% of BMW’s U.S. motorcycle sales in 2004. The company says sales were largely influenced by demand for the R 1150 RT, despite the fact that it was in its final production year and will be replaced in 2005 with the all-new R 1200 RT.
Other models not returning for 2005 include the R 1200 C, R 1200 Montauk, the R 1200 CLC, the K 1200 RS, and the R 1150 RS. All BMW motorcycles are built at a company facility in Berlin.
BMW Motorrad USA says sales of its parts and accessories were up 4% compared to 2003.
2005 R 1200 RT
BMW revealed the R 1200 RT at the Bologna Motorshow, December 2-3, during a presentation by Dr. Herbert Diess, president of BMW Motorrad.
Based on new Boxer generation technology introduced in the R 1200 GS, BMW’s forthcoming R 1200 RT features all of the creature comforts of the well-received R 1150 RT but boasts a newly configured 1170cc air-cooled flat-twin powerplant, new frame, new body and new wheels – all in a package 16% more powerful and 20kg lighter than its predecessor.
BMW says output for the 571-lb. bike tops at 110bhp and 85 lb. ft. of torque.
Other features on the R 1200 RT include 32-liter hardshell cases; a two-part, adjustable seat; a higher and wider windscreen; revamped main and side stands; partly integrated ABS brakes; a standard immobilizer; a single-wire on-board network simplifying the wiring harness; and lifetime fluid filling for the transmission and clutch, which alleviates the need to top-off reservoir fluid levels.
The bike also comes with maintenance-free Telelever front and Evo-Paralever rear suspensions with optional Electronic Suspension Adjustment (ESA), enabling a rider to adjust spring base and damper rate from a button on the handlebar.
Other options include an extra low seat, seat heating, heated handles, additional power sockets, radio with CD player, cruise control, anti-theft warning system, clear turn indicators and chrome-plated exhaust.
The bike can be further outfitted with a small or large topcase, a topcase backrest, tankbag, valve cover protection, luggage impact protection, an insert for a radio socket, second and third power take-off and BMW Motorrad Navigator II, among other things.
BMW Motorrad USA says it expects to receive its first R 1200 RT press bikes in March. No word on price or expected dealer shipment dates.
BMW of North America has been present in the United States since 1975. Since then, the BMW Group in the United States has grown to include marketing, sales and financial service organizations for the BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brand automobiles; DesignworksUSA, an industrial design firm in California; a technology office in Silicon Valley and various other operations throughout the country.
The BMW Group sales organization is represented in the U.S. through networks of 148 BMW Motorcycle retailers, 340 BMW autombile and 73 MINI dealers. BMW (US) Holding Corp., the BMW Group’s sales headquarters for North, Central and South America, is located in Woodcliff Lake, N.J.