Bmw expecting a 10 percent increase in U.S. sales next year

BMW predicts that US sales in 2010 will be up 10%, partially fueled by its introduction of the redesigned 5-series sedan in early 2010. In addition, BMW hopes to end 2009 with sales of 198,000, down from 249,113 in 2008, according to Peter Miles, executive vice president of sales. From January to October, the BMW division had sold 160,666 vehicles in the US, a 26% decrease from the same period in 2008.

For an increase in sales in the remaining days of the year, BMW is anticipating the success of the holiday promotion programs run by the major players.

Miles said the sales events would be the premium segment’s version of the federal government’s cash-for-clunkers rebates.

At the start of November, BMW started its holiday promotion — “Season of Joy” in anticipation of pent-up demand.

Typically, the program runs the last 45 days of the year. Miles said that BMW started the promotion early in the hopes of stimulating sales, similar to what the Cash-for-Clunkers program did.