BMW Dreams Chinese, Increases Sales Target

As the 2010 Beijing Auto Show kicks off, German carmaker BMW keeps on telling the world what it plans to do in the country in the coming years. After yesterday BMW announced it will start production in China of the new X1 and decided to build a second facility in the country, the carmaker released today it's sales target for the current year.: 120,000 vehicles.

Or, if you like, a 20,000 increase compared to the previous target, set this March!

“China is, and will remain, one of the most attractive automobile markets in the world. We expect to see significant sales growth to around 120,000 vehicles in China in 2010,” Norbert Reithofer, BMW chairman of the board said.

Currently the manufacturer's fourth largest market, China opened its roads for 90,000 BMWs last year. In 2010 however, the first quarter alone brought BMW a 100.5 percent increase in sales compared to last year, to 36,579 vehicles.

“We intend to remain the world’s leading premium manufacturer in 2010 and achieve healthy sales growth in the single-digit percentage range to reach more than 1.3 million vehicles,” Reithofer added.

As said, the German carmaker already announced it will build the new X1 locally sometime in the future. Also in China, BMW will manufacture the 5 Series Long Wheelbase starting this autumn.

In addition to the new models' production, a second manufacturing facility will be built by BMW here. Following a 560 million euros investment to be made together with partner Brilliance, the facility, whose construction will begin in June 2010, will start producing cars in 2012.