BMW Group targets another record year in 2012

After a record year in 2011, BMW Group forecasts new highs for the current financial year provided the global economic climate does not take a turn for the worse.

The major factors that would clearly drive BMW's growth will be its new BMW 3- Series, the sedan version of which has been available worldwide since February 11, 2012. Besides this, other new and revised models will also be launched during the course of the year including the BMW 6- Series Gran Coupe in June (first four-door coupé in the company's history) and an upgraded BMW 7 Series, in July 2012.

Following its already existing strategy 'Number ONE' with a prime focus on the premium segment, the company also plans to achieve profitable growth by launching new products in all vehicle segments.

With plans to expand its motorcycles product range with new vehicles such as the BMW Scooter and Husqvarna Street motorcycles, the group forecasts that it will again be able to achieve a return on equity in 2012 of at least 18 percent.

Compared to the previous year, group revenues increased by 13.8 percent to € 68,821 million (Rs 4,48,000 crore). In earnings terms, the net profit rose by 51.3 percent to € 4,907 million (Rs 31,983 crore). The total number of BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brand cars delivered to customers increased by 14.2 percent to a new record figure of 16,68,982 units (2010: 14,61,166 units).

In terms of sales volume, too, the brand set a new record in 2011, registering a 12.8 percent rise to 13,80,384 units (2010: 12,24,280 units). Segregating the numbers brand-wise, the MINI brand was also able to achieve a new sales volume high in 2011. In total, 285,060 units of the MINI (2010: 234,175 units) were sold, 21.7 percent more than in the previous year. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars on the other hand, continued to perform successfully in 2011, recording the best ever sales volume in its 107-year history, with 3,538 cars (2010: 2,711 cars; +30.5 percent) delivered to customers.