BMW Recorded the Second-Best Annual Sales in History in 2008

BMW unveiled in a report published today that the German group held up well in 2008 despite the economic chaos that slashed sales all around, with profit before financial result (EBIT) falling to 921 million euros in 2008 compared to 4,212 million euros in 2007. The profit before tax was 351 million euros, BMW said, while the net profit totaled 330 million euros. BMW Group's revenues fell 5 percent to 53,197 million euros.

"The BMW Group has been able to make improvements at an operating level in the midst of extremely difficult economic times", stated Reithofer Norbert, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, on Thursday in Munich. "Cost structures have been further optimised and, thanks to rigorous management of free cash flow, the BMW Group is in a very solid financial position."

In the automobile segment, EBIT fell by 80 percent to 690 million euros versus 3,450 million euros the year before. Moreover, the profit before tax was decreased by no less than 90.2 percent to 318 million euros from the initial 3,232 million euros recorded in 2007.

Overall, the BMW Group sold a total of 1,435,876 BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brand vehicles in 2008 compared to 1,500,678 units delivered in the previous year. While this represents a decrease by 4.3 percent, it also means the Group achieved the second-best annual sales volume figure in its history behind 2007.

"We prepared ourselves early on and swiftly for severe business conditions, for example by taking immediate steps to bring production volumes into line with lower demand, and thus enabling us to further optimise working capital. This is also reflected in reduced inventory levels", Reithofer added.