BMW prices will continue to rise through 2009

If you're in the market for a Bimmer, now is the time to buy. BMW is raising prices this year and next to help ease the burden of unfavorable exchange rates between European currencies and the weak U.S. dollar. CEO Norbert Reithofer told reporters that the company would also produce 20,000 to 25,000 fewer vehicles overall in 2009 and sell 40,000 fewer units in the U.S. Disastrous exchange rates aren't team Bimmer's only problem, either. The German automaker leases 60% of its vehicles in the U.S. during a time when sinking residuals are losing automakers billions.