BMW brand up 45 percent in November – best month ever; 10.4 percent year-to-date increase.
MINI brand up 10.5 percent in November; 15.2 percent increase year-to-date – already surpassed 2011 sales record.

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – December 3, 2012… The BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) reported November sales of 36,461 vehicles, an increase of 38.8 percent from the 26,271 vehicles sold in the same month a year ago. Year-to-date, BMW Group is up 11.3 percent on sales of 303,728 in the first eleven months of 2012 compared to 272,873 in the same period in 2011.

“Supply is catching up with demand, making November the best sales month on record for BMW in the U.S.,” said Ludwig Willisch, President and CEO, BMW of North America. … CONTINUED

In the “Auto Trophy 2012″, the new BMW 3 Series was chosen as the most popular mid-range automobile, while the BMW 1 Series Convertible came out top in the “Convertibles up to 30,000 euros” category. The “Best Advertising” award also went to BMW – here readers of the automobile magazine “Auto Zeitung” showed a clear preference for the BMW 5 Series Touring campaign. The outstanding BMW result was rounded off with numerous other top 3 placements for the BMW 5 Series, the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupé, the BMW 7 Series and the BMW X1.

The award ceremony for the “Auto Trophy 2012″ was held yesterday at the Meilenwerk in Düsseldorf. Representing the Munich-based premium automobile manufacturer and there to receive the trophies presented by TV … CONTINUED

Autocar comparison pitting the BMW 520d against the Audi A6 TDI, Jaguar XF, Mercedes Benz E300, and Lexus GS450h.

Check out the verdicts inside.

BMW announced over the summer that the US would be getting new turbo diesel engines (a 180HP 4-Cylinder and 255HP 6-Cylinder), and now we see that BMW is planning 6 new diesel models for the NA market in 2013 and 2014.

The slide you see below was reportedly taken during a BMWNA meeting and it reveals the upcoming diesel model lineup and schedule:

• F30 3 Series sedan diesel – first half 2013
• F31 3 Series touring – second half 2013
• F10 5 Series diesel – third quarter 2013
• X5d diesel – end of 2013
• 7 Series diesel – first half 2014
• X3d diesel – first half 2014

No info yet on which models may receive what engines, but the 4-cylinder mentioned above may see duty in models … CONTINUED

The BMW Group continued to perform successfully during the period under report despite difficult market conditions. Sales volume, revenues and earnings figures all constituted new highs to date for a third quarter. Revenues during the three-month period from July to September rose by 13.7% to € 18,817 million (2011: € 16,547 million). The profit before financial result (EBIT) increased by 13.8% to € 2,004 million (2011: € 1,761 million). Third-quarter profit before tax (EBT) improved by 17.6% to € 1,987 million (2011: € 1,689 million). Net profit for the period came in 16.0% higher at € 1,289 million (2011: € 1,111 million). The total number of BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brand vehicles delivered to customers during the third quarter increased by 9.0% to 434,963 units … CONTINUED

Although not nearly as tragic as the human casualties as a result of hurricane Sandy, cars were devastated throughout the flooded areas of the Northeast, including BMWs.

Seen here is Joseph Arpaio of Massapequa abandoning his car on 5th Street in Lindenhurst as high tide, rain and winds flood local streets on October 29, 2012 in Lindenhurst, New York.

We hope all our members and their cars made it through the worst of the hurricane safe and sound!

The F11 Touring LCI facelift has now been spotted. This particular prototype is equipped with the xenon headlight option which retains the circular angel eyes/corona rings. The LED headlight option (previously spotted on the gray F10 5 Series sedan prototype) will feature the new squared off angel eyes.

We have information which shows production for the F10 LCI as beginning in July 2013, with deliveries starting in August/September of 2013.

EXTERIOR

The prototype F10 LCI shows slightly sportier side mirrors, with integrated turn signals (still camouflaged). The grey F10 LCI prototype below is equipped with a new LED headlights option with squared off angel eyes/corona rings. The standard xenon lights will retain circular angel eyes. The tail light graphics will receive a new look.

The front and rear bumpers … CONTINUED

We’ve now posted better spy photos of the F10 5 Series LCI facelift update and an additional update has come to light – the prototype shows a new squared off angel eyes (coronal lights) shape, which has started to appear on BMWs beginning with the latest 3 Series, 6 Series, and 7 Series.

UPDATE 10/17: Better spy photos of the F10 LCI prototype now show a new squared off angel eyes (coronal lights) shape, which has started to appear on BMWs beginning with the latest 3 Series, 6 Series, and 7 Series. Also, the new front bumper will feature BMW’s air curtain vents.

The first F10 5 Series Sedan and F07 5 Series GT LCI (facelift) update prototypes have now been spotted. This will facelift the entire 5 Series lineup, including the F10 sedan, F11 touring, F07 GT, and the F10 M5.

We have information which shows production for the F10 LCI as beginning in July 2013, with deliveries starting in August/September of 2013.

The prototype F10 LCI shows slightly sportier side mirrors, with integrated turn signals (still camouflaged). The headlights … CONTINUED