BMW Seeks Third Straight Sales Record as 4-Series Offsets Europe

Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (BMW), the world’s biggest maker of luxury vehicles, stuck to its goal of setting a sales record for the third consecutive year with the 4-Series coupe set to help offset a slump in Europe.
BMW forecasts that 11 new models this year, including the coupe-like 3-Series GT, and rising demand in China and the U.S. will ward off the effects of the sovereign-debt crisis on Europe’s car market, which is sliding to a 20-year low.
“We are preparing for the company’s next phase of growth and making the BMW group more competitive for the future,” Chief Executive Officer Norbert Reithofer said today in a speech at the Munich-based company’s annual shareholders meeting.
The maker of BMW, Mini and Rolls-Royce cars is stepping up investment on new vehicles and technologies as Volkswagen AG (VOW)’s Audi and Daimler AG (DAI)’s Mercedes-Benz seek to claim the lead in luxury-auto sales. The additional spending may hold back earnings growth, even as sales advance.
“Anyone who wishes to shape the mobility of tomorrow must make the necessary investments today,” Reithofer said.
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GermanNut - 5/14/2013 2:47:31 PM

-5 Boost

The battle for global sales supremacy will be very interesting.

BMW has their i3 electric car and upcoming 4-series coupe along with the X4 SUV.

Audi has the A3 sedan along with the Q2, Q4, Q6 and Q8 SUVs.

Mercedes-Benz has the upcoming CLA, A and B-class compact models along with the all-new flagship S-class sedan.

In the near-term (3-5 years), I expect the battle for global sales supremacy to be between Audi and BMW with Mercedes-Benz possibly making a serious run at the top spot in no less than 7 years.

Satriani1 - 5/14/2013 11:28:59 PM

-3 Boost

Bloomberg: BMWs Cheaper Than Hyundai and Kia in Korea.
Is this BMW's secret to selling more cars and setting sales records?
http://tinyurl.com/aw4hrra

BimmersNme - 5/15/2013 12:29:39 AM

+4 Boost

@Satriani1: Why are telling just part of the facts? The articles mentions the three German Brands. - “Customers who were loyal to the brand for over 20 years are breaking away,” Kim said. “It shows that imported brands are now perceived as something accessible". "The shift has made South Korea a growth market for Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, Daimler AG (DAI)’s Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen AG (VOW)’s Audi. Their gains are coming at the expense of Seoul-based Hyundai and Kia, which count on sales of luxury vehicles in their home market for much of their earnings.” So, Your beloved AUDI is mentioned too, and your attempt to be a smart @ss didn'T work this time around.

Satriani1 - 5/16/2013 3:50:05 AM

-3 Boost

I gave the article link - therefore I provided ALL the facts, including what you quoted. So stop pretending that I told just part of the facts when you got your information from the facts I provided.

Fact remains: BMW is the only German brand highlighted in the article for being priced cheaper than Hyundai and Kia.

Despite what you quoted, the article did not ascribe Audi and Merc's gains in Korea from being priced lower than Hundai or Kia.

PQ40 - 5/16/2013 8:54:37 AM

+2 Boost

"Foreign brands have seen their share of South Korea’s market for premium vehicles surge to 41 percent from 28 percent in the past two years, according to Korean industry groups, as lower tariffs make their cars cheaper and local buyers abandon a decades-long preference for domestic brands."

"The shift has made South Korea a growth market for Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, Daimler AG (DAI)’s Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen AG (VOW)’s Audi. "

Yes the "fact" the article mentions a 5 series is very relevant. Lol, but it is Obvious if a 5 series is cheaper than a k9 so would an a6 or e class, or a4, a3.

If you want a dirt cheap "premium" car like toyota corrolla cheap, look at an Audi a1.

BimmersNme - 5/15/2013 12:06:03 AM

+2 Boost

IMO being the top-seller of premium vehicles is not that important,as long as they (BMW, AUDI and Mercedes-Benz) continue to offer great cars. So being the second or even third seller doesn't make any of these brands worst nor better than the other. Just my two cents.