BMW Xs Hot; Honda Hybrids Not
By Michelle Krebs March 17, 2008
No wonder BMW wants to boost production of its X models; the BMW X5 and X3 are hot.
In contrast, Honda’s hybrids are not, according to an Edmunds.com analysis of days-to-turn statistics in February.
The BMW X5 had the lowest days-to-turn — which measures the average number of days it takes a dealer to sell a new vehicle after it arrives at the lot — at a mere three days. The BMW X3 was second at seven days.
BMW said last week it was spending $750 million to expand its South Carolina production plant and create 500 jobs to produce the next-generation X3 as well as the X5 and X6. The plant is already the exclusive source for the X3 and X5 sport-utilities. The expansion will accommodate the next-generation X3 as well as the X6 sports coupe unveiled at the Detroit auto show in January. The X6 will be made exclusively in South Carolina as well.
In contrast, Honda’s hybrids had the highest days to turn. The Honda Civic
Hybrid ranked No. 1 in days to turn at 260 days. The Accord Hybrid, which went out of production last spring but stocks remain in inventory, ranked No. 3 on the list with 182 days to turn.
Honda’s hybrids were in stark contrast to the ever-popular Toyota Prius, which had a low 20 days to turn.
Photos by Manufacturers
1 — 2008 BMW X5
2 — 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid
Jessica Caldwell, Edmunds.com's manager of Pricing and Industry Analysis, provided the days-to-turn analysis for this report.
LEAVE A COMMENT
I am questioning the data regarding the Civic Hybrid. I'm looking at another data source that provides days-to-turn and for February the Civic Hybrid is at 35 days.
That same source is showing that the X5 has a hefty customer cash rebate of $2500. Why would a new vehicle like the X5 need that high of a rebate?
Honda's sales statistics say Civic Hybrids are only 6% off pace from 2007 levels. If that's true, they must have overproduced. That's very un-Honda like. That number of days inventory seems very high.
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