Report Claims BMW Included Demo Sales in July Totals
BMW used demo sales to boost its July sales numbers in order to gain a competitive edge with Mercedes-Benz, The Wall Street Journal reported this week.
BMW used demo sales to boost its July sales numbers in order to gain a competitive edge with Mercedes-Benz, The Wall Street Journal reported this week.
A report published in the Journal charged BMW with boosting its July sales total by including demo sales. According to the German automaker’s July sales report, a total of 21,297 vehicles were sold in the United States in July. But according to the report, hundreds of those vehicles remain in showroom inventories and are still being advertised for sale.
BMW spokesperson Kenn Sparks confirmed to the Journal that its July sales total did include the demos that are used for test drives, but he did not disclose the amount of demo sales that contributed to the total transactions.
To view the full WSJ article, click here.
F&I and Showroom columnist Jim Ziegler charged Mercedes-Benz of doing the same thing in his August column. It can be viewed by clicking here.
More F&I
Trust Is Personal
Technology, no matter how efficient, can’t replace what the human F&I manager can do, which is to bridge the divide between cyberspace and the in-store experience.
Read More →
Amplify 2026 Billed as Turning Innovation Into Results
Reynolds and Reynolds says its annual retail summit will connect dealers with practical strategies, peer insight, and technology-driven ideas.
Read More →
Own Your Outcome: F&I in the Digital Customer Journey
Finance has historically been the last step in the car-buying process, but it doesn’t have to be. The customer’s journey starts long before they arrive at the dealership, and so should F&I’s involvement.
Read More →
Tariffs Could Raise Insurance Premiums
As U.S. import tariffs affect repair costs, consumers might find it more affordable to replace a damaged vehicle, according to recent Insurify tariff analysis.
Read More →
Smaller Loans, Longer Terms
The youngest generation of car buyers is more likely to finance less expensive vehicles, more than half of generation Z consumers borrowing less than $25,000.
Read More →
New Lifetime Battery F&I Product Meant to Drive Dealer Traffic
EFG Cos. offering is intended to create lifetime auto dealer engagement with customers.
Read More →
The Psychology Behind Menus That Increase Add-On Sales
There is a science to crafting a menu that gives customers confidence in the choices presented, and moving the process outside the F&I office can further boost results.
Read More →
Why Your F&I PVR Is Misleading You
Here’s a handy checklist of the numbers to track in 2026 instead.
Read More →
Auto Consumer Anxiety Presents Opportunity
A survey of U.S. drivers found the majority are concerned about finances and the economy, but those fears make many ready to buy vehicle-protection products.
Read More →
Humble and Hungry: 12 Rules for an F&I Life
Dustin Gingerich, with a decade in the F&I business under his belt, shares his thoughts on leadership, building trust with customers, and the importance of learning and innovation.
Read More →