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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