Sales of BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce automobiles rose 13.6% last year to reach a total of 1,46 million vehicles (previous year 1.286 m).
The growth of recent months continued through December and sales were 14.2% higher than in the same month last year (141,358 vehicles).
"2010 was a very successful year for us. We are ‘spot on’ with our new models and advanced on all continents, in large and small countries with a good balance between Europe, Asia, and the Americas," said Ian Robertson, board member of BMW AG responsible for sales and marketing at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
"Looking ahead, we expect sales to climb to over 1.5 m units in 2011 setting new highs for the group and its three brands.
"We are certain to continue benefiting from our young model line-up with full availability of new vehicles like the BMW 5 Series, BMW X3, BMW X1 and MINI Countryman," he said.
BMW brand sales rose 14.6% in 2010 to reach 1 224 280 vehicles. The newly introduced BMW 5 Series and BMW X1 have been very well received. Retail volumes for the BMW 5 Series increased 22.6% to 211 968 units in 2010. The company sold 99.990 BMW X1 vehicles in their first year.
The flagship BMW 7 Series and the other X-models also continued to be in high demand. Bolstered by strong demand from Asia and the gradual recovery of the American market, sales of the BMW 7 Series climbed 24.9% over the course of the year.
BMW X5 volumes increased 15% to 102 178 units, and 46 404 BMW X6 vehicles were delivered to customers (+11.4%).
With a total of 234,175 vehicles sold, MINI set a new sales record.
December sales climbed 38.3% to 25 359 vehicles. The brand’s positive annual result was due in part to the MINI Countryman (14 337 units), as well as the MINI Hatch and the MINI Convertible.
The US remains the largest market with 45 644 units sold in 2010, closely followed by the UK (44 514 units). The third largest market is Germany (31 472 cars).
Rolls-Royce remains the market leader in the ultra-luxury segment. Sales for 2010 reached a record and grew 170.6% to 2 711 automobiles. Rolls-Royce reported 429 deliveries in December 2010.
The company’s latest model, Ghost, has been exceptionally well received. Demand for Phantom models also remain strong.
Growth on all continents: The BMW Group made sales gains in virtually all markets in 2010. Germany remains the company’s largest market with a total of 266 009 new BMW and MINI registrations throughout the year.
In a total market that shrank by 23% from 2009 levels, the BMW Group was able to expand its market share in Germany by 2.3% to 9.1% in 2010.
The BMW brand is the only premium brand that showed increased registrations in Germany in 2010.
In its second-largest market, the US, December sales climbed 16.9% vehicles, thanks to availability of the BMW 5 Series and strong demand for the BMW X5 and X6 models.
The BMW Group increased its sales volumes for 2010 by 9.9%. As a result, the company was able to strengthen its leading market position in North America, making the BMW brand the best-selling European premium brand in the US.
Strong growth rates were reported in China, the third largest market. Sales for 2010 rose 86.7% to 168 998 units. The group profited from continued strong demand for the high-end models in its product range.
Sales in the UK, BMW’s fourth-largest market, also recovered. In a volatile market that grew by 2% the BMW Group experienced disproportionately strong growth of 13.6%.
Other regions of the world also provided impetus for growth. Sales in important emerging markets posted double-digit growth as follows: Russia (26.7% to 21 585 units), South Korea (74.7% to 19 222), Brazil (54.5% to 9 886), and India (72.6% to 6 246).
BMW Motorcycles. In 2010, BMW Motorrad increased deliveries by 12.3% to 98,047 motorcycles.
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MINI set a new sales record.
PHOTOS BY ANICA KRUGER.
