BMW has achieved its highest ever annual sales and is forecasting further gains in 2013 as it defies the turmoil in the eurozone.
The German carmaker yesterday reported a record result for each of its three brands, including UK-based Mini and Rolls-Royce. In total, the group sold just under 1.85 million vehicles last year, an increase of 10.6 per cent over the previous record year in 2011.
At Mini – several of whose cars are currently competing in the Dakar Rally in South America, pictured – sales lifted 5.8 per cent to 301,526, while Rolls-Royce’s sales advanced by 1 per cent to 3,575, as had already been revealed.
Mini’s performance is expected to get a further boost this year following the spring launch of the Paceman model.
Demand for Rolls-Royce’s traditional luxury saloons has held up among wealthy Americans and Chinese, although the brand’s growth rate slowed down from the previous two years.
Ian Robertson, director of sales and marketing for BMW, said: “We enter the new year with positive momentum.”