BMW Group reports highest global sales ever in first six months

BMW Group achieved its highest sales for the first six months of the year, with a total of 954,521 vehicles delivered worldwide, an increase of 6 per cent over the same period last year (prev. yr. 900,566). Sales in June also reached an all-time high with 184,489 vehicles
sold worldwide last month, an increase of 6.9 per cent over the previous year (172,528).

"The BMW Group achieved its best ever sales figures in the first half of this year and last month, despite the prevailing headwinds in some European markets. We aim to continue our sales growth in the second half of the year with new models such as the BMW 5-series, which is launched this month and the third generation of the highly successful BMW X5 which arrives later in the year. Additional new models such as the BMW 3-series Gran Turismo and the BMW 4-series coupe will also provide for further impetus," said Ian Robertson, Member of the Board of Management, Sales and Marketing BMW.

Worldwide sales of BMW brand vehicles climbed 9.4 per cent to 153,075 units (prev. yr. 139,879) in the month under review. A total of 804,248 BMW brand vehicles (prev. yr. 747,089) have been delivered to customers worldwide since the start of the year - an increase of +7.7 per cent. The BMW 3-series was one of the brand's growth drivers in the first half year with 236,215 units sold, an increase of 21.8 per cent over the same period last year (prev. yr. 193,996). The new BMW 3-series Gran Turismo had a successful start in June with around 1,500 vehicles sold. The BMW X1 reported healthy gains in the first six months with a total of 79,061 vehicles delivered to customers, an increase of 22.8 per cent compared to last year (prev. yr. 64,387). Demand for the BMW X3 remained strong, with sales climbing to 77,959 vehicles in the first half year (prev. yr. 74,099/ +5.2 per cent). The BMW 5-series continued its success story with 169,593 units sold in the first half of the year (prev. yr. 166,097/ +2.1 per cent). The current sixth generation of the BMW 5-series is the best-selling generation so far and the clear leader in its segment.

The BMW 6-series had an excellent first six months with sales climbing 35.4 per cent to 14,012 units (prev. yr. 10,345).

Mini sales were slightly down last month with 31,102 deliveries worldwide (prev. yr 32.339/ -3.8 per cent). Year-to-date, Mini worldwide sales are at around last year's level with 148,798 units sold in the first six months (151,877/ -2 per cent). Mini could compensate for the headwinds in some European markets through solid growth in several other markets including Mainland China (12,070/ +6.3 per cent), Russia (1,350/ +10.4 per cent) and Mexico (2,132/ +15.1 per cent).

Sales of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars in the first half of the year totalled 1,475 units (prev. yr. 1,600/ -7.8 per cent). Following a relatively flat first quarter, year-on-year growth in the second quarter of 2013 (+1 per cent) was reported due to good performances in the Middle East, South East Asia and China. This growth, together with the planned market introduction of the new Rolls-Royce Wraith during the fourth quarter this year, reflects the cautious optimism that was expressed by Rolls-Royce at the beginning of the year. The company remains on target for growth in the year 2013.

In Asia, the BMW Group delivered 272,100 vehicles in the first six months of 2013 and reported a growth of 14.4 per cent compared to the same period in 2012 (prev. yr. 237,876). Several Asian markets experienced solid growth in the first half year including Japan (30,483/ +10.1 per cent) and South Korea (18,412/ +18.3 per cent). Mainland China accounted for 182,800 deliveries, an increase of 15 per cent over the same period last year (prev. yr. 158,956).

In June, Mainland China reported 34,481 vehicles sold (prev. yr. 23,930/ +44.1 per cent). The unusually high growth figure in June is mainly due to base effects resulting from the model changeover in summer 2012 from the BMW 3-series to the BMW 3-series long wheelbase.

The Americas posted solid gains in the first six months with a total of 213,473 vehicles sold to customers, which reflects an increase of +9.7 per cent on the previous year (194,620).

In the US, the BMW Group is up 9 per cent on sales of 172,787 vehicles in the first six months compared to 158,563 in the same period in 2012. A total of 33,645 vehicles were delivered last month, an increase of +21.4 per cent on the same month last year (prev. yr. 27,720). The year-on-year growth was boosted by the availability of more models in 2013, such as the BMW 3-series with xDrive and the BMW X1.

In Europe, BMW Group sales remained at last year's level with 436,483 vehicles delivered to customers (prev. yr. 437,092/ -0.1 per cent) in the first half of the year.

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