BMW Group outlook for the year remains positive

Last month, BMW Group sales remained stable, with a slight increase of 0.4% over the same month last year. Altogether, 74,650 BMW and MINI brand cars were delivered to customers (2002: 74,380). Up to and including February, the number of deliveries rose slightly by 1.6% to 154,610 units (2002: 152,190).

Fewer BMW vehicles appeared on the market, due to the effect of model cycles. Sales in February decreased by 8% to 62,470 BMW vehicles (2002: 67,930). Up to and including February, there was a decline in sales of 7.7% to 127,320 vehicles (2002: 137,990). This development is according to plan.

The 5 Series is a central product that is coming up for a model change this year. In the 3 Series, the convertible, coupé and compact are being revamped. The BMW Z4 is being launched on European markets in spring.

Once these model series are fully available, the company is still expecting not only that the current decline will be compensated by the end of the year, but that the BMW brand will actually surpass the existing record achieved last year. The precondition for this, however, is still that the world political situation stabilises.

According to the plans for the current year, worldwide demand for MINI brand automobiles continues to be positive. There were 12,180 MINI vehicles delivered to customers in February. Up to and including February, the figure was 27,290.

There is still a particularly high level of demand for MINI at the top end of the model range. More than half (15,040/55%) of the MINIs delivered in the first two months were MINI Coopers.

The basic MINI One model and the top-of-the-range Cooper S ranked about equal, with 6,210 (23%) and 6,040 (22%) units sold. The introduction of the MINI One Diesel this summer will boost sales even further.

The motorcycle segment increased the delivery of two-wheelers in February by 1.5% to 6,510 units (2002: 6,410). Up to and including February, the sale of motorcycles fell by 1.7% to 10,920 units (2002: 11,100).