BMW Group reports highest ever September sales

The BMW Group experienced growth in many regions around the world in September and achieved another record month in sales. With 177,716 (prev. yr. 159,223) BMW, Mini and Rolls-Royce brand automobiles delivered worldwide, sales were 11.6 per cent higher than
in the same month last year. It was also the best first nine months for the company, with sales up 8.3 per cent compared to the same period last year. A total of 1,335,502 BMW Group vehicles were delivered during this time (prev. yr. 1,232,619).

"We made solid gains in many of our markets last month and were once again able to achieve record sales in September, despite the difficult environment in some European countries. Our models continue to perform well and we expect to see further healthy growth in worldwide sales in the fourth quarter. We are well on course to achieving a new sales record for the whole year," said Ian Robertson, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible for Sales and Marketing BMW.

BMW brand worldwide sales climbed by 14.3 per cent to 146,843 vehicles in the month under review (prev. yr. 128,450). Demand for the BMW 1-series was strong with 23,583 vehicles sold last month, an increase of 51.1 per cent on the previous year (15,606). Over 150,000 units of the second generation BMW 1-series 5-door hatch have been delivered to customers since its launch in mid-September last year. The BMW 3-series achieved sales of 39,302 vehicles last month (prev. yr. 35,842/ +9.7 per cent). Sales for the BMW 5-series climbed 7.9 per cent to 29,996 vehicles (prev. yr. 27,804). The BMW 6-series more than tripled its sales with 2,426 vehicles delivered last month (prev. yr. 752/ +222.6 per cent). The BMW X1 performed strongly with 16,661 units sold in September, an increase of 32.9 per cent (prev. yr. 12,536). Sales of the BMW X3 continued to be strong, climbing 20 per cent to 13,616 vehicles (prev. yr. 11,346). Year-to-date, the brand BMW has delivered 1,109,962 vehicles, an increase of 8.6 per cent over the previous year (1,021,955).

Mini posted its best ever September sales with 30,562 vehicles delivered (prev. yr. 30,392/ +0.6 per cent). The brand has also had its most successful first nine months ever - in the period up to and including September, Mini sold 223,214 vehicles, an increase of 7.2 per cent in worldwide sales compared to the same period last year (208,223). Last month at the Paris Auto Salon, the company unveiled the Mini Paceman. The Mini Paceman is the world’s first Sports Activity Coupe in the premium compact segment and it expands the brand's portfolio to seven models. The Mini Paceman is expected to provide further momentum for Mini when it arrives in the first half of 2013.

Demand for Rolls-Royce motor cars remained steady with a small decrease of 4.7 per cent year-to-date compared to 2011. The worldwide market introduction of Phantom Series II in September and the potential for seasonally strong fourth quarter sales causes Rolls-Royce to remain confident of another strong annual result.

BMW Motorrad achieved a new all-time retail high in September with 9,215 units (prev. yr.: 8,612 units/ +7 per cent). Supplies of motorcycles and maxi scooters from January up to and including September totaled 85,944 units (prev. yr.: 86,892 units/ -1.1 per cent). Husqvarna Motorcycles supplied a total of 7,355 vehicles (prev. yr.: 6,079 units/+21 per cent) to the Husqvarna dealer network from January up to and including September. Supplies in the month of September totaled 1,255 vehicles (prev. yr.: 1,351 units/ -7.1 per cent).

Posted in: BMW,BMW Group,Ian Robertson,International,Luxury,Sale Report