BMW's new M4 coupe uses a six-cylinder turbo to produce 431 horsepower. Photo credit: Len Katz.
BMW rolled out its new M4 coupe, M3 sedan and new 2-Series Coupe, but not without reminding its biggest competitor in North America – Mercedes-Benz – it’s still No. 1, despite the fact Mercedes took top sales honors in the United States this year.
After introducing the M4 and M3, Dr. Ian Robertson, a member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Sales and Marketing BMW, Sales Channels BMW Group, asked Ludwig Willisch, president of BMW North America, to discuss BMW’s sales last year.
Willisch pointed out that BMW sold more than 376,000 units in the Americas: a record year for sales. He also noted that “between Argentina and Alaska, in all the Americas, there was no premium manufacturer that beat us. We’re number one all the way.”
The M3 sedan will go on sale later this year, according to BMW officials. Photo credit: Len Katz.
Overall, BMW claimed the worldwide luxury car sales title by moving 1.96 million vehicles under its brand umbrella – Mini, Rolls Royce and BMW motorcycles – while Audi came in second just 80,000 units behind and Mercedes finished third 193,000 vehicles back. BMW sold 1.65 million cars worldwide.
“We intend to remain No. 1 in 2014,” said Robertson, noting it is counting on a slew products coming to the U.S. to help grow sales, including the new i-Series of vehicles as well as the aforementioned M-Series vehicles.
The M4 coupe and M3 sedan both boast six cylinder turbos developing 431 horsepower: more than their predecessors, while improving fuel economy and emissions by 25%. Both vehicles will hit showrooms in June, he said.
The M235i goes from zero-to-60 mph in less than 4.8 seconds. Photo credit: Len Katz.
The company also unveiled the new 2-Series coupe, which is the replacement for the old 1-Series two-doors.
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The change is much more than a facelift. The new model will be 2.8 inches longer and 1.8 inches wider than the outgoing coupe, with another 1.3 inches added to the wheelbase. That’s good news for passengers, who will benefit most from the added space.
(Click Here to see more about the new BMW 2-Series.)
There will be two different versions of the 2-Series for the U.S. market, the BMW 228i and the performance-oriented M235i. The M235i sprints from zero-to-60 mph in just under 4.8 seconds thanks to an inline six-cylinder powerplant that averages 25 mpg.
Additionally, Robertson noted the new X4 will be built at the company’s Spartanburg, S.C. plant and is expected to go on sale later in the year.