BMW Reports 24.4 Percent Drop in February 2009

With the economic recession still forcing automakers to apply cost-cutting measures, BMW today reported a drop of 24.4 percent in February 2009 sales versus February 2008. This means the German group sold a total of 80,453 BMW, MINI und Rolls-Royce brand automobiles worldwide compared to 106,338 units in the same period of the year before. This raised the total number of vehicles sold in 2009 to 199,274 units.

More specifically, BMW delivered 68,803 cars in February 2009 compared to 90,449 units in February 2008 (23.9 percent decrease). Sales of the MINI brand fell 27.2 percent versus the same month of the previous year, according to figures provided by BMW. However, better sales are expected from March on as the MINI Convertible will rejoin the product lineup in most markets.

Paradoxically, the Rolls-Royce brand increased sales by 17.5 percent in February to a total of 67 models compared to "only" 57 units the year before. For the year to the end of February, deliveries totaled 104 units, BMW said in the press release. BMW did well in most markets, with China buying 4,880 BMW Group models, while Brazilian acquired 39.5 percent more vehicles compared to February 2008.

"Despite the difficult conditions, the BMW Group aims to remain the world's leading supplier of premium automobiles in 2009 and after the first two months we are right on track." Robertson also added: "In just a few months the new BMW 7 Series has become the class leader in those markets in which it has been launched and the BMW X5 and X6 continue to dominate the global premium SAV/SUV segment," Ian Robertson, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible for Sales and Marketing.