Hi Jim. Read your comments reported by the Automotive News. Let us understand this. You came from Ford in 1990 when Ford was making such "great" cars like the 1990 Thunderbird, Taurus, Tempo and Festiva. Wonders of the automotive world. Since you became CEO of BMW (U.S.) Holding Corp. last July, the article points out "U.S. auto sales began to plunge . . . ." Automotive News quotes you as saying -Starting in September, BMW [brand] will show at least 10 percent growth over the prior year. We will probably continue that through the final quarter. I see Mini being flat in the last four months.
What happened to your March 2, 2009 comment that you expected a rise of more than 30% in year over year sales for MINI in 2009? Was it eclipsed by your April 1st statement, after you saw March's numbers, that "sales were stronger than expected back at the beginning of the month and a bit of spring lift puts us in the premium market lead in March and the first quarter as well." Now, you want us to believe September will be all rosy and that you are "fairly confident that from about 2012 [you will] get back on track with [your] previous aspirations [in the United States]. But there will be a dip: 2008 and 2009 will be a lot lower than [you] anticipated."
So Jim, we ask again. With your vast record of success, which is it? Will BMW growth be 10% in September? Or will it continue its meteoric drop under you reign? 34.7% drop in year over year sales in February 2009, a 24% drop in March, and now, a 22% drop for MINI alone in April 2009. Please Jim, tell us, we will give you space right here - what information do you have that brought you to the conclusion that BMW will experience 10% growth in September when the numbers, to date, show a 1/4 to 1/3 contraction? Drop us a line - our forum is open. Inquiring minds want to know.
