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BMW Group sales up 2.2% in July
08/07/2008
All automobile brands report gains on previous year
BMW Motorcycles sales volume up by 19.7%
Munich. The BMW Group increased its sales volume in July of this year. In total, 125,812 BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brand cars were delivered to customers. This represents an increase of 2.2% compared to the same month last year (123,089 units). For the period to the end of July, sales rose by 4.4% to reach 890,699 units (January - July 2007: 853,142 units).
Sales of the BMW brand grow 2.2% in July
Sales of BMW brand cars rose to 106,483 units (July 2007: 104,168 units / up 2.2%) for the month under review. For the period to the end of July, 744,061 BMW vehicles were sold (January - July 2007: 726,355 units / up 2.4%).
Once again the BMW 1 Series recorded the fastest growth rate in July, thanks mainly to the new BMW 1 Series Coupé and Convertible models. Sales for the month jumped by 40.3% to 20,654 units (July 2007: 14,724 units).
Further growth drivers were the BMW 3 Series Touring with 8,303 units sold (+9.3% / July 2007: 7,597 units) and the BMW 5 Series Touring with 4,088 units sold (+4.4% / July 2007: 3,917 units). The BMW 6 Series Coupé also recorded growth of 13.8% with a sales volume of 727 units (July 2007: 639 units).
The two Sports Activity models, the BMW X5 and the BMW X6, also enjoyed increasing popularity with customers. The BMW X5, which has been available since spring 2007, recorded 9,316 deliveries in July (July 2007: 8,994 / +3.6%). 2,615 units of the first Sports Activity Coupé, the new BMW X6, were sold. Since its market launch in April of this year the BMW Group has already delivered nearly 8,700 BMW X6 to customers around the world.
The new generation of the BMW 7 Series was presented at the end of June. From mid-November 2008 the BMW brand's new flagship will be available to customers in Europe, equipped with numerous technical innovations and, thanks to EfficientDynamics, new engines with even lower consumption and better performance. Offering average fuel consumption of just 7.2 litres per 100 kilometres (39.2 mpg imp), the new 730d will be the most economical car in its class. As to be expected towards the end of their product cycle, sales of current models are in decline. In July 2008 2,942 (July 2007: 3,327 / -11.6%)
BMW 7 Series cars were handed over to customers.
Ian Robertson, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Sales and Marketing: "We have increased our worldwide sales in July despite difficult business conditions. We intend to maintain our growth plan albeit we will continue to react to the world market situation on a month by month basis."
MINI brand reports 2.1% increase in July
The ongoing popularity of the MINI and the variety of models now available resulted in the July sales volume rising by 2.1% to 19,227 units (July 2007: 18,838 units). 146,041 vehicles were delivered during the period to the end of July (January - July 2007: 126,410 units / +15.5%).
70% of customers opted in July for a MINI Cooper or the top model, MINI Cooper S. For the diesel version, the Cooper D, and the MINI One, the percentages were 17% and 13% respectively. Compared with other small cars, the equipment provided and the product mix remains at an exceptionally high level. In a comparison of the three model versions, the classic MINI was first with 12,987 units (July 2007: 14,896 units/ -12.8%) or 68% of sales in July. It was followed in second place with 3,718 units - or 19% of sales - by the MINI Clubman, which has been available since November 2007. With 2,488 units sold (July 2007: 3,635 units), the MINI Convertible was the choice of 13% of customers.
Strong growth for the Rolls-Royce brand
In July Rolls-Royce Motor Cars handed over 102 Phantom (July 2007: 83 / +22.9%) to customers. The figure for the seven-month period was 597 (January - July 2007: 377 / +58.4%).
BMW Motorcycles grow by 19.7% in July
The BMW Motorcycles segment was able to increase sales in July despite difficult market conditions. BMW Motorrad sold 10,679 units during the month (July 2007: 8,921 units / +19.7%). The sales volume for the seven-month period was therefore 66,612 units (-2.3% / January - July 2007: 68,151 units).
BMW Group sales in/up to and including July 2008 at a glance
July
2008 Comparison with previous year January to July 2008 Comparison with previous year
BMW Group Automobiles 125,812 up 2.2% 890,699 up 4.4%
BMW 106,483 up 2.2% 744,061 up 2.4%
MINI 19,227 up 2.1% 146,041 up 15.5%
Rolls-Royce 102 up 22.9% 597 up58.4%
BMW Motorcycles 10,679 up 19.7% 66,612 up 2.3%
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July News in Brief
08/01/2008
BMW 118d and 123d Convertible go on sale
Two of BMW’s most popular diesel engines are now available in the 1 Series Convertible. BMW’s most economical four-cylinder diesel engine ever and the award-winning twin –turbocharged unit are a timely introduction for new car buyers seeking open-air motoring but are worried about rising fuel costs.
The 118d Convertible is powered by a 1,995cc single turbocharged engine producing 143hp and 300Nm of torque. This results in a zero to 62mph time of 9.5 seconds and a top speed of 129mph. Most impressive though is the 118d Convertible’s ability to record a combined consumption figure of 57.6mpg and CO2 emissions of 129g/km. This means the vehicle, courtesy of BMW’s EfficientDynamics technologies, is the most economical and least polluting convertible car in its class.
For those customers demanding greater performance the 123d Convertible comes with a 1,995cc twin-turbocharged engine producing 204hp and 400Nm of torque. This propels the 123d Convertible from zero to 62mph in 7.5 seconds before going on to a top speed of 143mph. It too comes with all the facets of EfficientDynamics and thus records a combined consumption figure of 52.3mpg and CO2 emissions of 144g/km – again the lowest compared to any competitor product.
Both models come as standard with a six-speed manual gearbox. The BMW 118d Convertible is priced from £23,660 OTR, while the BMW 123d Convertible starts at £28,105 OTR.
Seven-speed double clutch transmission slots into 3 Series
The BMW 3 Series Coupé and Convertible are now available with a seven-speed double clutch transmission for enhanced performance and economy. The new gearbox, which applies similar technology to that used in an M3 equipped with M DCT, is now offered on the 335i Coupé and Convertible models. It improves performance and economy by splitting the gearbox into the two assemblies, each with their own clutch. This way as the revs build or decrease in the current gear another one is already selected. A near seamless transition in gears and power is thus achieved benefitting both acceleration and consumption. The DCT gearbox is offered as a £1,640 option.
News of the new gearbox comes as the new six-cylinder 2,993cc diesel engine announced for the new 3 Series Saloon and Touring models is offered in the Coupé range. Now the BMW 330d Coupé is powered by a 245hp powerplant, 14hp more than the previous engine, and 520Nm of torque, 20 Nm more than before. The upgrade in performance means the 330d Coupé achieves zero to 62mph in 6.0 seconds compared to 6.6 seconds previously, while also being capable of 49.6mpg on the combined cycle (Vs 46.3mpg) and emissions of 152g/km (Vs. 160g/km).
X3 production reaches half million mark
The 500,000th BMW X3 has rolled off the production line at Magna Steyr, in Graz, Austria. BMW’s compact Sports Activity Vehicle has followed in the X5’s wheel tracks to become the second X model in the BMW product range to pass the half million milestone. To date a total of more than 1.25 million X models have been sold worldwide, confirming the international success story of these benchmark vehicles.
This milestone has passed at the same time the nomenclature of the X3 and X5 ranges changes to mirror that of the X6. Now, for example, the 3.0-litre diesel-powered X3 will be referred to as the BMW X3 xDrive30d. Every other X3 model will follow this format with the last two digits and letter denoting which engine is used.
New BMW X3 models announced
Two special edition BMW X3s are now available in the UK. The BMW X3 xDrive20d SE Edition Premium and the BMW X3 xDrive20d SE Edition Exclusive come with additional equipment as standard compared to existing models. The Edition Premium adds uniquely-styled 17-inch light alloy wheels, chrome exhaust pipe and chrome kidney grille with graphite vertical slats, Space Grey metallic paint and matching interior trim. Pearlpoint cloth and leather upholstery is standard but can be upgraded to Nevada leather upholstery.
The BMW X3 xDrive20d SE Edition Exclusive comes with bespoke 18-inch light alloy wheels, chrome exhaust pipe and chrome kidney grille with graphite vertical slats, extended lighting, headlight wash and xenon headlights. To complete the package Mineral Green metallic paint, Nevada leather upholstery and a Light Walnut wood interior trim are standard.
The BMW X3 xDrive20d SE Edition Premium costs £30,345 OTR and the BMW X3 xDrive20d SE Edition Exclusive costs £31,925 OTR.
30 years of BMW M cars
2008 marks the 30th anniversary of BMW M. Born from the M1 project of 1978 when the company built a mid-engined racing car to compete in a newly formed ProCar series, BMW M has since gone on to represent the pinnacle of performance BMWs.
Its adage of ‘From the race track to the road’ applies to the development of all its products. The BMW M3 is still the most successful touring car in history and this racing heritage is why M products remain popular with enthusiasts. Such demand is the reason BMW M recently delivered its 300,000th vehicle. The BMW M3 Coupé in Alpine White was presented to a customer in Regensburg, the home of M3 production.
Today BMW M cars account for around one percent of the BMW Group’s overall turnover worldwide with the USA, UK and Germany representing the three biggest markets.
Google Send to Car gets personal
BMW’s innovative ConnectedDrive facility is now available with added capability courtesy of a link-up with Google. Customers who have specified their cars with navigation are able to use a new Google Send function to locate non-business addresses. The enhanced Google Send allows the driver to locate personal addresses as well as 750,000 business listings.
Google Send to Car allows the user to send the desired address straight through to the car’s navigation system from his or her office desk for added convenience, thus reducing the need to input navigation addresses manually. BMW is the only car manufacturer currently able to offer the bespoke Google function.
BMW wins more awards
BMW has been presented with the Editor’s Award by What Car? magazine at its prestigious Green Awards held at London Motor Show. The marque scooped the honour for its widespread EfficientDynamics programme. It is the second time the car industry’s buying bible has commended the BMW product range for the advances engineers have made in performance, emissions and fuel consumption. What Car? awarded a similar accolade to BMW at its annual new car awards ceremony held in January, 2008.
BMW has also been presented with two honours in the 2008 Green Car Awards from the Environmental Transport Association. The BMW 520d won the Executive category and the BMW 320d the Large Family award for their EfficientDynamics derived low CO2 emissions figures and fuel consumption.
The Environmental Transport Association assessed over 1,300 cars on sale, examining their power, emissions, fuel efficiency and even the amount of noise produced to create a definitive ‘green’ buying guide for customers. Judges noted that BMW had achieved an 11 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions during the past 12 months with four BMW Group models making it into the top five ‘most improved category’.
The BMW 5 Series scooped the award for Best Executive car in the Fleet World Honours. The medium sized executive car beat other premium rivals to top spot on account of its driving dynamics, class-leading performance, consumption and emissions, and its comparative low running costs. The BMW 3 Series won Best Compact Executive car, the BMW X5 won Best SUV, while the BMW Group was presented with an industry-wide award for its EfficientDynamics programme.
BMW 118d sets new unofficial 24-hour record
A new 24 hour record has been set in a BMW 118d. The team of drivers from BMW Car magazine took the current World Green Car of the Year on a pan-European endurance test to see what real-world performance figures could be achieved in the award-winning vehicle.
Their BMW 118d covered 1,461.9 miles in its 14 European country marathon, with the team recording an average speed of 71.6 mph, but using just 150 litres of fuel. The average consumption figure of 43.4 mpg was commendable despite some faster autobahn driving and high-gear mountain passes being negotiated en route.
The drive began in the UK and finished in the Czech Republic and the team nearly made it 15 countries but ran out of time only 50kms from the Polish border. The four-man crew consumed 12,000 calories in the form of sweets, snacks and fizzy drinks - next stop the dentist then…
Price adjustments across BMW model ranges
The BMW range will be subject to a price increase in July 2008. The average price of cars increases by approximately one per cent. A full breakdown of the changes is outlined below.
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