BMW M Car Sales Up 50 Percent in 2008

Despite the difficult market conditions that slashed sales all over the world, BMW M Automobiles today unveiled the 2008 financial results, revealing the second-best result in the thirty-year history of the company. Overall sales were increased by approximately 50 percent compared to the previous year, with the new M3 recording an impressive growth in its first full-year on the market. Approximately 18,000 M3 units were delivered in 2008, while BMW M global sales totaled 24,186 vehicles, according to a press statement issued by the manufacturer.

"Particularly the ongoing high level of BMW M Car sales also in the second half of the year underlines the great emotional appeal our products have for the customer," stated Ludwig Willisch, President of BMW M GmbH.

Sales of the BMW M5, which is currently available as a sedan and as a touring, were also increased during the 2008 business year, with 2,485 units delivered to buyers across the globe. BMW M6 Convertible and Coupe are still among the best-sellers as the company sold 1,158 and 1,102 units, respectively. The BMW Z4 M Roadster and the BMW Z4 M Coupe, which reached the end of their production cycle in August, sold only 699 and 739 units respectively, BMW M Automobile said.

“The great enthusiasm for the top performance, authentic design and motorsport technology offered by BMW M Automobiles is a global phenomenon. Precisely this is why all major market regions the world over contribute to the dynamic increase in sales,” the manufacturer praised the attributes of their cars.

And even if the United States market brought one of the biggest sales declines in history, it remained the most significant individual market, with 10,663 delivered units.