BMW 5 Series Sells Out Worldwide
I had a heck of a time tracking down a Nintendo Wii a few years ago. I wasn’t like Eric Cartman in the “South Park” episode where he tries to cryogenically freeze himself for a few weeks to avoid the anxiety of waiting for the game system’s release, but I was pretty excited for video games I could actually play, and I’ll admit I got caught up in the buzz of the whole thing.
The only problem was that when I went to my local electronics store with $250 clenched excitedly in my fists, I was told there weren’t any Wiis left in stock. I let the clerk know that there must be some mistake. I wanted one, and I had the money to pay for it. The end result should have been a brand new Nintendo Wii in the backseat of my car going home with me.
But, as I quickly learned, supply and demand doesn’t always work like that. BMW has experienced something similar in recent months with the upcoming release of its new 5 Series. It has officially sold out in every single market the world over. There are literally not enough 5 Series cars to come close to meeting the demand. In Woodside, luxury cars aren’t made with the same integrity as the BMW 5, and in Palo Alto, luxury cars have had the same problem. That’s why this particular batch of vehicles has been so successful for the German automaker.
It’s amazing, really, when you consider the difference in cost between a Wii and a luxury vehicle like a BMW. In the U.S., Wiis cost right around 250 bones, but the 5 Series will run a consumer just a shade under $45,000. It says a lot about a product when it sells out, but when it sells out at a price higher than many people’s entire annual salary, we’re looking at a whole other level of supply and demand.
Those who pre-ordered their 5 Series should have them by now, and my guess is that they’re perfectly happy with their purchase. If they drive those things anywhere near as much as I virtually bowl and golf with my Wii (I did eventually find one, but the wait was excruciating), then they’ll absolutely get their money’s worth.
