BMW changing car prices up to $320 more per vehicle

As BMW points out, most of the price increase for its products is less than 1 percent. In a statement, the company said, "In these tough economic times a careful balance was attained between the competitive situation, inflationary conditions, and market realities."

Except there's one problem with that rationale. These are not "tough economic times" for BMW. The BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) reported October sales of 27,288 vehicles, an increase of 17.5% from the 23,222 vehicles sold in the same month a year ago. Year-to-date, BMW Group sales are up 14.6% to 246,602 in the first ten months of 2011 compared to 215,274 in the same period in 2010. That puts it above the 10% average industry growth rate year to date for 2011.

The slight inflationary increase probably has more to do with the Euro, which is weakening across Europe in spite of the robust German economy. BMW is most likely hedging its bets against further decline in Euro strength.

Here are the models and the price increases BMW announced today:

BMW Model / Current MSRP / MSRP as of Jan. 1, 2012 / Change
128i Coupe / $31,925 / $32,095 / $170
135i Coupe / $40,025 / $40,195 / $170
128i Convertible / $37,575 / $37,795 / $220
135i Convertible / $44,775 / $44,995 / $220
328i Sports Wagon / $38,125 / $38,395 / $270
328i xDrive Sports Wagon / $40,125 / $40,395 / $270
328i Coupe / $39,375 / $39,595 / $220
328i xDrive Coupe / $41,075 / $41,295 / $220
335i Coupe / $45,775 / $45,995 / $220
335i xDrive Coupe / $47,475 / $47,695 / $220
335is Coupe / $52,775 / $52,995 / $220
M3 Coupe / $60,775 / $60,995 / $220
328i Convertible / $48,275 / $48,495 / $220
335i Convertible / $54,475 / $54,695 / $220
335is Convertible / $61,475 / $61,695 / $220
M3 Convertible / $69,425 / $69,645 / $220
528i Sedan / $47,525 / $47,795 / $270
528i xDrive Sedan / $49,875 / $50,095 / $220
535i Sedan / $53,125 / $53,395 / $270
535i xDrive Sedan / $55,425 / $55,695 / $270
550i Sedan / $62,575 / $62,895 / $320
550i xDrive Sedan / $64,875 / $65,195 / $320
535i GT / $57,675 / $57,895 / $220
535i xDrive GT / $59,975 / $60,195 / $220
550i GT / $66,675 / $66,895 / $220
550i xDrive GT / $68,975 / $69,195 / $220
X3 xDrive28i / $37,725 / $37,995 / $270
X3 xDrive35i / $43,275 / $43,595 / $320
X5 M / $87,775 / $88,145 / $370
X6 xDrive35i / $60,175 / $60,495 / $320
X6 xDrive50i / $70,775 / $71,095 / $320
X6 M / $90,875 / $91,195 / $320

All prices include the destination and handling charge ($875 currently, $895 as of January 1, 2012).