BMW Group said it set a new sales record in 2003 with increased deliveries for all three of its brands. Over 1.1 million BMW, Mini and Rolls-Royce cars were sold during the year.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
“The past year has completely fulfilled our expectations and once again demonstrated what the BMW Group is capable of achieving,” chairman Helmut Panke said.
The BMW brand exceeded 2002’s record sales by 1.6% with over 928,000 vehicles delivered (2002: 913,230). BMW said sales were “affected considerably by model cycles” during the year – its major launch was the fully redesigned 5-series in July.
That new 5 was apparently well received in the European market, selling about 70,000 units by the end of ’03 and boosting volume by about 37% in the second half of the year, compared to the previous year.
Over 175,000 Minis were sold in 2003 and this model line also boosted sales – by a healthy margin of 21,4%, or about 31,000 units, compared with 2002 (144,120).
US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalDataSaid Panke: “In our view, this continuing success is proof that premium is not a question of vehicle size.”
In an apparent dig at rival Mercedes, which does not sell its premium entry-level A-class line in the US, BMW claims the Mini line is the first vehicle in its class to be sold successfully in all major markets.
Though there has been some gossip in the industry about ‘disappointing’ sales of the new Rolls-Royce Phantom launched in January, BMW said it delivered 300 worldwide. Mercedes-Benz officials won’t publicly provide numbers for the rival Maybach, saying only that they are “on target”. However, a source told just-auto that suggestions of 600 sales worldwide last year “are not wide of the mark”.
BMW said that 2003 “was characterised by a continuingly difficult market environment” for its motorcycles – sales were up fractionally to 92,900 compared with 92,600 in 2004.
2004 outlook “positive”
Panke said BMW’s overall profitability in 2003 was expected to be at about the same level as 2002, suggesting a levelling off after several years of healthy annual increases. Commenting on expectations for the 2004 financial year, he avoided any specifics, saying only: “We will consistently continue down the road of growth and expansion that we have already started. There will be no standing still at BMW – not in production, or in the opening up of the market.”
BMW also achieved record sales in its key right hand drive market, the UK, in 2003. Over 134,000 BMWs and Minis were sold, an increase of 10.8% over 2002. The group’s 5.21% share of the total UK new car market also set a new record.
The BMW brand achieved over 93,700 registrations, up 10% on 2002, while Mini recorded over 40,500 registrations, its best annual sales performance since the vehicle’s UK launch in July 2001, and 14% higher than in 2002.
The new 5 series, launched in September, achieved a 2% increase from 12,917 to 13,133 vehicles despite the run-out of the old models.
7 series registrations rose from around 1,700 in 2002 to just over 2,000 last year, an increase of 15%. That is sure to have pleased BMW (GB) as the 7’s styling and overly complex I-Drive system have come under fire from some motoring critics since the car was launched in 2001.
UK sales of the US-built X5, slightly redesigned at year’s end, increased 25% from 6,600 to 8,500 registrations while the vast entry-level 3 Series range saw registrations rise 5% from 62,600 to 65,450 – it was also one of the UK’s top 10 selling models in 2003.
BMW (GB) managing director Jim O’Donnell said: “Despite a very competitive market in 2003, demand for premium vehicles has remained strong and we have been able to take advantage of this with both our BMW and Mini brands.
“Our premium strategy is beginning to deliver real growth and with a number of new models to be launched in 2004, including the X3 sports activity vehicle, the 6 series coupé and convertible, new 5 series Touring, the Mini convertible and the 1 series, we are seeking to exploit the potential for future growth in this area of the market.”
