Firstly, it was the Audi, who reported record sales during last month; now the BMW Group, is also claiming to have sold 212,908 BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce vehicles in March – resulting into the company’s best-ever monthly results. A significant growth of 11.3% is recorded against the previous all-time monthly high of March last year (191,269 units). To an addition, a new high for the first quarter of the year was also achieved with a total of 487,024 vehicles delivered in the first three months of 2014 (prev. yr. 448,200 / +8.7%).
Ian Robertson, Member of the Board of Management, Sales and Marketing BMW, said: “This is the first time in the company’s history that over 200,000 vehicles were delivered to customers in a single month – March has rounded off a strong first quarter in 2014. Despite continuing economic uncertainties, we are experiencing steady improvement in almost all regions. Sales of our BMW X-vehicles have been particularly strong; I’m sure the brand new BMW X4, which celebrated start-of-production in Plant Spartanburg at the end of March, will contribute to boosting growth still further when it comes onto the market from July.”
BMW’s brand global sales rose 16.9% to 186,126 in March, making it the brand’s most successful month ever (prev. yr. 159,195). Sales for the first three months of the year reached 428,259, a hike of 12.3% (prev. yr. 381,406). Sales of BMW X-vehicles posted strong numbers s in the first quarter, where X1 made an impeccable move with the double-digit growth, 43,262 vehicles delivered in the year to end of March (prev. yr. 37,680 / +14.8%). BMW X3 volume grew by 10.8% in the first three months of the year (40,115 / prev. yr. 36,189), whereas the deliveries of new BMW X5 rose 13.8% to 31,025 units (prev. yr. 27,274). Coming to the sedans, BMW 3-Series remains a steady growth driver in the year-to-date with a total of 116,671 units sold (prev. yr. 109,308 / +6.7%). The BMW 5 Series also groomed its sales well in the first three months of the year, with 91,600 vehicles delivered to customers (prev. yr. 85,731 / +6.8%).
MINI introduced new models in the recent times. Thus, due to the news spread of those new cars reaching dealerships by March end – sales of MINI brand vehicles have decreased in line with expectations during the first quarter of 2014.
Rolls-Royce too maintained its leadership position amongst the makers of luxury motor cars. Following a fourth successive record year in 2013, sales in the first quarter are up significantly year-on-year. Overall, 897 Rolls-Royce cars were rolled out from the showrooms across the globe (prev. yr. 642 / +39.7%). Phantom and Ghost models remained prominent to make their mark alongside a full order-book for Wraith, the company’s latest model. The company has planned for further sustainable growth and it is optimistic for another strong year in 2014.
BMW Motorrad, the biking wing of BMW, achieved its best first quarter and best single month ever. Posted a sales increment of 16.1% in the first three months of the year, with a total of 28,719 motorcycles and maxi-scooters delivered worldwide (prev. yr. 24.732). In March, 15,183 vehicles were sold (prev. yr. 13,067/ + 16.2%).
BMW Group sales in/up to March 2014 at a glance
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