BMW USA reports record month; industry bike sales down 3.2 percent for year
According to a company press release, BMW Motorrad reported sales of 13,546 motorcycles for 2017, down just 1.3 percent from the 13,730 motorcycles sold in 2016. However, despite the slight downturn, BMW outpaced the rest of the motorcycle industry (which was down 3.2 percent) and its relevant competition (which was down 6.3 percent).
Sales of BMW motorcycles increased 37.3 percent in December 2017 (1,270 units) compared to December sales in 2016 (925 units), capping eight months of steady growth over the previous year in BMW Motorrad’s strongest export market.
BMW Motorrad USA posted a 15 percent growth in sales from September through December compared to the same period in 2016, and showed a 27 percent growth in sales from November through December in 2017 compared to the previous year.
“We are proud to report these impressive results despite current market conditions,” commented Michael Peyton, Vice President, BMW Motorrad North America. “BMW Motorrad USA achieved all-time record sales in November, while December 2017 was our best December since 2004 and our fourth consecutive month of sales growth.”
According to Peyton, strong year-end results were driven by the ever-popular BMW R 1200 GS Adventure, which accounted for 15 percent of December sales volume.
“New and loyal customers; the broadest model range in our history; and a strong and growing dealer network will continue to propel BMW motorcycle sales in the coming year,” he observed.
BMW’s robust product offensive will continue in 2018 with the recent introduction of the new 215 hp BMW HP4 Race limited-volume, supersport motorcycle (BMW’s most-exclusive motorcycle ever offered), the 2018 BMW G 310 GS (BMW’s second entry in the smaller displacement segment), the 2018 BMW C evolution electric scooter, the 2018 BMW C 400 X (premium mid-sized scooter), the 2018 BMW K 1600 B Grand America, as well as several special-option motorcycles.
BMW’s diverse range of adventure models, roadsters, sport bikes, tourers, and scooters can be seen and ridden at 153 U.S. retailers. Many new and updated BMW models are also currently making their debut at motorcycle shows around the country.