In market conditions that remain difficult, the BMW Group sold 109,042 BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brand automobiles worldwide in May. This sales decrease of -18.3% was more moderate than in most of the previous months. A total of 487,906 (prev.yr.: 618,734 / -21.1%) vehicles were sold in the first five months of the year. Despite declining sales volumes, the BMW Group was able to gain market share against its competitors in the premium segment during this period.
Ian Robertson, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible for Sales and Marketing: "Sales decreased much more slowly in May than in recent months. Overall, I am cautiously optimistic that our global sales figures will continue to improve over the course of the year." Robertson continued: "We were able to increase our market share in the premium segment in major markets such as the U.S. and Japan over the previous month. That puts us right on track to maintain our position as the world's number one premium manufacturer in terms of sales volume in 2009."
In May sales of the BMW brand were down 18.1% on the previous year (110,707) at 90,643 units. For the year to the end of May, deliveries to customers decreased 20.9% to 408,370 vehicles (prev.yr.: 515,989). The new BMW Z4 is off to an excellent start - it has already been delivered to 2,365 customers since its launch on 9 May. The BMW 7 Series also remained on its growth track: 3,370 (prev.yr.: 3,321 / +1.5%) vehicles were sold worldwide in May. In its important domestic market, Germany, the brand's flagship was the clear market leader in the luxury sedan segment with 801 new registrations in May. The BMW X6 also made further gains in the month under review, with 3,625 units (prev.yr.: 1,734 / +109.1%) delivered.
Sales of the MINI brand were 19.1% lower in May than for the same month last year (22,685) at 18,348 units; for the year to the end of May, 79,260 MINI (prev.yr.: 102,364 / -22.6%) vehicles were delivered to customers. In Germany, MINI increased its sales volume by 11.8% (3,569 / prev.yr.: 3,193) in the month under review. The brand made gains in countries such as China (350 / +48.9%), New Zealand (26 / +30,9%), Malaysia (20 / +33,3%) and Switzerland (447 / +0.2%). 25,000 MINI fans from around the world celebrated the brand's 50th birthday at the MINI United Festival at the Silverstone racetrack in the U.K. from 22-24 May 2009. Two new jubilee models, which will join the model range in September, were also part of the Silverstone line-up. There is a choice of two petrol engines or a diesel engine for both the MINI 50 Mayfair and the MINI 50 Camden which will be launched in September 2009. Production of the MINI 50 Mayfair and the MINI 50 Camden will begin exactly 50 years after the classic Mini was officially released, and will be limited to one year.
The Rolls-Royce brand reported a decline in sales of 53.6% (51 units / prev.yr.: 110) in May. For the year to the end of May, 276 vehicles were delivered to customers around the world (prev.yr.: 381 / -27.6%). At the manufacturing facility in Goodwood in the U.K., preparations are currently underway for the production of the new, smaller Rolls-Royce model series which will be brought onto the market in 2010 under the name of "Ghost". Ian Robertson: "The response to the new model has been extremely positive. Over the medium term, we aim to use this model series to double our overall Rolls-Royce sales volume to more than 2,000 units per year." More than 150 new jobs have already been created at Goodwood in connection with the production of the new Rolls-Royce Ghost. By the end of the year, almost 400 new jobs will have been created within less than two years. This will increase the total workforce at the Goodwood site to 900.
BMW Motorrad reported sales of 10,172 units (prev.yr.: 11,580) in May: a decrease of 12.2% compared to the previous year. For the year to the end of May 2009, 37,572 motorcycles were delivered to customers worldwide (prev.yr.: 45,032 / -16.6%).
BMW Group sales in/up to May 2009 at a glance
In May 2009 Comp. with previous year Up to and incl. May 2009 Comp. with previous year
BMW Group Automobiles 109,042 -18.3% 487,906 -21.1%
BMW 90,643 -18.1% 408,370 -20.9%
MINI 18,348 -19.1% 79,260 -22.6%
Rolls-Royce 51 -53.6% 276 -27.6%
BMW Motorcycles 10,172 -12.2% 37,572 -16.6%
Ian Robertson, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible for Sales and Marketing: "Sales decreased much more slowly in May than in recent months. Overall, I am cautiously optimistic that our global sales figures will continue to improve over the course of the year." Robertson continued: "We were able to increase our market share in the premium segment in major markets such as the U.S. and Japan over the previous month. That puts us right on track to maintain our position as the world's number one premium manufacturer in terms of sales volume in 2009."
In May sales of the BMW brand were down 18.1% on the previous year (110,707) at 90,643 units. For the year to the end of May, deliveries to customers decreased 20.9% to 408,370 vehicles (prev.yr.: 515,989). The new BMW Z4 is off to an excellent start - it has already been delivered to 2,365 customers since its launch on 9 May. The BMW 7 Series also remained on its growth track: 3,370 (prev.yr.: 3,321 / +1.5%) vehicles were sold worldwide in May. In its important domestic market, Germany, the brand's flagship was the clear market leader in the luxury sedan segment with 801 new registrations in May. The BMW X6 also made further gains in the month under review, with 3,625 units (prev.yr.: 1,734 / +109.1%) delivered.
Sales of the MINI brand were 19.1% lower in May than for the same month last year (22,685) at 18,348 units; for the year to the end of May, 79,260 MINI (prev.yr.: 102,364 / -22.6%) vehicles were delivered to customers. In Germany, MINI increased its sales volume by 11.8% (3,569 / prev.yr.: 3,193) in the month under review. The brand made gains in countries such as China (350 / +48.9%), New Zealand (26 / +30,9%), Malaysia (20 / +33,3%) and Switzerland (447 / +0.2%). 25,000 MINI fans from around the world celebrated the brand's 50th birthday at the MINI United Festival at the Silverstone racetrack in the U.K. from 22-24 May 2009. Two new jubilee models, which will join the model range in September, were also part of the Silverstone line-up. There is a choice of two petrol engines or a diesel engine for both the MINI 50 Mayfair and the MINI 50 Camden which will be launched in September 2009. Production of the MINI 50 Mayfair and the MINI 50 Camden will begin exactly 50 years after the classic Mini was officially released, and will be limited to one year.
The Rolls-Royce brand reported a decline in sales of 53.6% (51 units / prev.yr.: 110) in May. For the year to the end of May, 276 vehicles were delivered to customers around the world (prev.yr.: 381 / -27.6%). At the manufacturing facility in Goodwood in the U.K., preparations are currently underway for the production of the new, smaller Rolls-Royce model series which will be brought onto the market in 2010 under the name of "Ghost". Ian Robertson: "The response to the new model has been extremely positive. Over the medium term, we aim to use this model series to double our overall Rolls-Royce sales volume to more than 2,000 units per year." More than 150 new jobs have already been created at Goodwood in connection with the production of the new Rolls-Royce Ghost. By the end of the year, almost 400 new jobs will have been created within less than two years. This will increase the total workforce at the Goodwood site to 900.
BMW Motorrad reported sales of 10,172 units (prev.yr.: 11,580) in May: a decrease of 12.2% compared to the previous year. For the year to the end of May 2009, 37,572 motorcycles were delivered to customers worldwide (prev.yr.: 45,032 / -16.6%).
BMW Group sales in/up to May 2009 at a glance
In May 2009 Comp. with previous year Up to and incl. May 2009 Comp. with previous year
BMW Group Automobiles 109,042 -18.3% 487,906 -21.1%
BMW 90,643 -18.1% 408,370 -20.9%
MINI 18,348 -19.1% 79,260 -22.6%
Rolls-Royce 51 -53.6% 276 -27.6%
BMW Motorcycles 10,172 -12.2% 37,572 -16.6%
