ALBundy
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New record for BMW Group sales in AsiaFebruary 04, 2008 08:58 PM Author: Chips BMW Group sales reached a new record level in Asia in 2007 when the company delivered a total of 159,365 BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce vehicles, a 12% percent increase over the year before. “We have thus reached our medium-term goal for Asia - selling more than 150,000 vehicles by 2008 - one year ahead of schedule,” said Stefan Krause, BMW’s Head of Sales and Marketing. “In terms of retail volume, we were once again the leading premium manufacturer in the region in 2007,” he added. Asia is one of the most important growth regions for the BMW Group, with the Asian countries expected to remain important growth drivers for the global automotive market. Generally the company anticipates a positive development in this region. Mr Krause voiced optimism regarding the current business year: “We expect BMW Group sales to continue the successful course in 2008, both in Asia and worldwide. We anticipate growth rates in the higher one-digit range for Asia this year and provided that the Asian continent continues its positive economic development, we plan to sell 200,000 vehicles in Asia by 2012. At the same time, we are set to strengthen our lead as the most successful premium manufacturer in Asia.”
The BMW brand increased sales in Asia by close to 12% last year, to 139,223 units making it the leading premium brand in 2007. The MINI brand improved by close to 15% in Asia to a total of 19,957 cars. As for the Rolls-Royce brand, sales in the Asia-Pacific region saw an increase of 30%, most strongly in China, India and Singapore. More than 50% of all Rolls-Royce automobiles sold in Asia went to customers in China. To satisfy increasing demand, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars opened three new showrooms in China last year and further expansion of Rolls-Royce showrooms in Asia is being considered.BMW Financial Services has also been growing as well, it was revealed. Last year, the business unit’s performance improved by an average of 15% in the Asian markets.
China is the most important individual market on the Asian continent for the BMW brand. A major success was the new BMW 5-Series Long Wheelbase sedan produced in China for local customers, which accounted for sales of 17,647 units last year. The BMW 7-Series, X5 and X3 secured the lead in their respective segments. For the second year in a row, MINI was able to more than double its retail volume, delivering 2,200 vehicles to customers in Mainland China. To a large extent, this success is the result of BMW China’s optimized sales structures and corporate organization: By the end of 2007, the number of authorized dealerships had risen by twenty to a total of 90. Two new distribution centres for spare parts, located in Beijing and in Shanghai, started operations last year. As a result, a majority of customers can now be supplied with original BMW spare parts within 24 hours. In the course of the next few months, the BMW Group is planning to raise capacities at its Shenyang plant by 45% to 44,000 units a year. In its first business year, BMW India made further progress. Dealerships were established in nine Indian cities and by the end of the year, this number is supposed to rise to twelve. Approximately 80% of ALL BMW cars sold were the locally-assembled 3 and 5-Series models. Apart from these, BMW India also marketed the 6 and 7-Series as well as the X3 and X5 vehicles. The range in India will soon include the 6 and 7 Individual Series as well as the M models.
2007 was the first year Rolls-Royce recorded an annual retail volume of more than 1,000 unitsThe BMW Group’s other subsidiaries in Asia - such as South Korea, Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines -showed positive retail developments in 2007, with some markets recording considerable increases. BMW Malaysia remained slightly below the 2006 record level while BMW Thailand suffered a plunge following the comprehensive reorganization of local marketing and production structures. Global sales in 2007 for the BMW Group reached a new level with more than 1.5 million vehicles and record results for each of the three brands. Compared to 2006, this is an increase of 9.2%. The BMW brand alone sold 1,276,793 vehicles worldwide last year (+7.7%) while a new record was achieved at MINI with sales rising by 18.5%. At Rolls-Royce, retail sales soared by 25.5%, with the brand delivering 1,010 cars to customers last year. This was the first time the brand recorded an annual retail volume of more than 1,000 automobiles.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mercedes-Benz sets sales record in 2007January 24, 2008 11:50 AM Author: Chips
2007 was a great year for Mercedes-Benz sales as the company set a new worldwide sales record of 1,285,900 units. Commenting on the record, Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of Daimler AG and head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, said: “Our current models are drawing a very positive customer response. In 2007 we succeeded in laying the groundwork for sustainable, profitable growth, particularly with the market launches of the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class and the new smart fortwo.“Despite increased competition, Mercedes-Benz was able to raise its market share in nearly all key regions. Its success was especially evident in the key growth markets for the automotive industry. With 26,900 units sold (2006: 17,600 units) and growth of 53%, Mercedes-Benz' rate of growth in China was more than twice as rapid as that of the premium market overall.Sales in the Asia-Pacific markets rose 9% to 142,700 units and in India and the countries of Southeast Asia, 2007 retail numbers established Mercedes-Benz as the preferred premium brand with over 17,400 units in 2007 (2006: around 14,200 units), delivered.
Sales in the Asia-Pacific region were strong in 2007 with the new C-Class (left) contributing significantly and the S-Class being the leader in the topmost sector of the luxury segmentDr. Joachim Schmidt, Vice President responsible for Daimler Central/Eastern Europe, Africa and South East Asia, said: "Our Mercedes-Benz cars increased sales figures in Southeast Asia by 23% compared to 2007. The S-Class remains the unchallenged market leader in the top luxury segment. The E-Class has succeeded very well in sustaining its strong position. The C-Class started very successfully from its launch mid-2007 and proves highest competitiveness in its segment.” “I am pleased to see that our customers very much appreciate our current product line-up and support our brand values. They can continue to expect more fascinating vehicles from Mercedes-Benz in 2008 that will meet even the highest expectations in terms of quality, safety, comfort and performance," Dr. Schmidt added.
