Rocketing sales are best in BMW’s history

BMW has announced sales figures for the first half of 2011 better than any time in the brand’s previous history.

Sales of BMWs in the second quarter jumped 18.5 per cent, while the company’s profits soared by a remarkable 66 per cent year on year, up to 2.85 billion Euros.

Some 450,608 BMWs, MINIs and Roll-Royces found owners between April and June. Figures for the first half of the year are up 19.7 per cent to 833,366 and the group expects to exceed 1.6 million sales by the end of the year.

Among the star performers was BMW’s new X3 compact-SUV, pictured. Sales more than doubled in the first six months of 2011 to 53,522. The 5 Series range was up by more than 80 per cent to 170,708, while the X1 saw a 34.2 per cent rise to 62,698 units.

The rises stretched right across the group – Rolls-Royce sales of 869 cars were almost 26 per cent higher.

While sales rose in all regions, by far the biggest jumps were seen in Asia, up more than 47 per cent to 190,504, and particularly China, a 61 per cent rise to 122,034 units.

BMW Group Board of Management Chairman Norbert Reithofer is clearly delighted with the record figures. “We have achieved new sales volume, revenues and earnings records both for the second quarter and the six-month period,” he says.

“Strong demand worldwide for BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brand cars, together with efficiency improvements in all areas of the company have contributed greatly to this outstanding performance”, he adds.

Words by: Andrew Charman