BMW GROUP REMAINS WORLD’S LEADING PREMIUM AUTOMOTIVE COMPANY IN 2018
Eighth consecutive year of record sales +++ Best-ever sales figures for BMW, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad +++ BMW sales up 1.8%: 2,125,026 sold worldwide +++ More than 140,000 electrified vehicles delivered worldwide +++ Sales surge at BMW M GmbH: more than 100,000 sold +++ Positive sales outlook for 2019: further growth expected +++
Munich. The BMW Group has achieved its eighth consecutive annual sales record with a total of 2,490,664 (+1.1%) BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce delivered around the world in 2018. Best-ever figures were achieved by both BMW and Rolls-Royce, while the company’s portfolio of electrified BMW and MINI vehicles grew sales by 38.4% compared with the previous year. This sales result reconfirms the BMW Group’s position as the world’s number one premium automotive manufacturer.
Positive outlook for 2019: sales growth expected to continue
Looking ahead to the next 12 months, the BMW Group believes its ongoing model offensive will result in continuing sales growth. “While we expect market conditions to remain challenging this year, new models like the all-new BMW X7 and the seventh generation of the BMW 3 Series, combined with an ever-greater focus on our customers and their needs, mean we at the BMW Group will continue on our successful course. We expect to grow sales slightly in 2019, while maintaining our clear focus on profitability,” said Pieter Nota, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Sales and Brand BMW.
Record BMW result in 2018: Growth driven by X vehicles and BMW 5 Series
2018 saw the BMW brand achieve its highest-ever annual sales with a total of 2,125,026 (+1.8%) vehicles delivered around the world. The brand’s biggest growth drivers were the BMW X vehicles: Thanks to the introduction of the BMW X2 early in 2018 and the extension of BMW X3 production to China and South Africa, in addition to the USA, total BMW X family sales increased by 12.1% to 792,590. This means these popular premium sports activity vehicles accounted for 37.3% of total BMW sales in 2018 (33.8% in 2017). Another significant growth driver for the brand was the BMW 5 Series, which was fully available in all markets throughout 2018. Sales of the world’s most popular premium large sedan increased by 12.7% in 2018 with a total of 328,997 delivered to customers around the world.
“We are proud to have achieved our best-ever annual sales result, despite a number of important model-changeovers and significant, ongoing headwinds in several major markets,” commented Pieter Nota. “2018 saw the introduction of several exciting brand new models including the BMW X2 and the BMW 8 Series, as well as the launch of the new generation BMW X4 and BMW X5 and the long-awaited BMW Z4. I am confident the momentum generated by these new models will continue through 2019,” Nota continued.
Target achieved: Over 140,000 electrified vehicles delivered in 2018
The broad range of BMW Group electrified vehicles continues to win over increasing numbers of customers, confirming the company’s leading role in premium electromobility. In total, 142,617 electrified BMW and MINI vehicles were sold around the world in 2018, an increase of 38.4% on the previous year. The plug-in hybrid BMW 530e (fuel consumption combined: 2.3-2.1 l/100 km; power consumption combined: 13.9-13.3 kWh/100 km, CO2 emissions combined: 52-47 g/km) was the company’s top-selling electrified vehicle in 2018. In total, 40,260 were sold around the world, accounting for 12.2% of global BMW 5 Series sedan sales. It was also the year’s best-selling luxury plug-in hybrid vehicle in the USA. Meanwhile the MINI Countryman Cooper S E ALL4 (fuel consumption combined: 2.5-2.4 l/100 km, power consumption combined 13.7-13.4 kWh/100 km, CO2 emissions combined: 56-55 g/km) was delivered to 13,219 customers around the world, accounting for 13.3% of all MINI Countryman sales. 2018 was the fifth consecutive year of increased annual BMW i3 sales. The introduction of an optional new, more powerful battery helped grow i3 sales by 10.6% in 2018 with a total of 34,829 delivered worldwide.
Since launching the BMW i3 in 2013, the company has significantly increased both its electrified portfolio and its sales of these innovative products. “We are delighted to have clearly surpassed our stated target of selling 140,000 electrified vehicles in 2018 and believe that by the end of 2019, there will be half a million electrified BMW Group vehicles on the roads. By 2025, the BMW Group will have at least 25 electrified vehicles in its model line-up, 12 of which will be fully-electric,” Pieter Nota commented.
Strong growth at BMW M GmbH: target smashed two years early
The performance cars of BMW M GmbH also achieved a new sales record with more than 100,000 (102,780 / +27.2%) of these thrilling vehicles delivered to customers around the world in 2018, meaning that ambitious milestone has been reached two years ahead of schedule. Top sellers include the BMW X3 M40i (19,670) (fuel consumption combined: 8.4 – 8.2 l/100 km; CO2 emissions combined: 193 – 188 g/km), the BMW M2 (13,731) (fuel consumption combined : 10.0 – 9.0 l/100 km; CO2 emissions combined: 227 – 206 g/km) and the BMW M5 (7,823) (fuel consumption combined: 10.8 – 10.7 l/100 km; CO2 emissions combined: 246 – 243 g/km).
Electrifying MINI story continues
In 2018, deliveries of MINI brand vehicles were down 2.8% (361,531) compared to the record sales achieved in 2017. 2019 is set to be an exciting year for the brand, with the battery-driven MINI Electric set to make its first appearance towards the end of the year. “Despite challenging market conditions, MINI is a brand which continues to enthuse and excite its customers; I am confident that the introduction of the hotly anticipated MINI Electric will generate even more enthusiasm,” said Peter Schwarzenbauer, BMW AG board member responsible for MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad.
Record achievement: Best-ever sales at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
In 2018, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars achieved annual sales of 4,107 units (+22.2%), the highest in the marque’s 115-year history. The Americas maintained its position as the company’s most important market, while sales in all regions grew year-on-year. “Customer demand for all model families has remained buoyant, with Phantom a major growth driver and Ghost the best-selling model,” commented Peter Schwarzenbauer. “We are also delighted by the exceptional response to the all-terrain Cullinan, with the first of these having been delivered to customers in time for Christmas, and a very strong order book filled into the third quarter of this year,” Schwarzenbauer continued. 2018 also saw record numbers of Bespoke commissions, further reinforcing Rolls-Royce’s position as a true Luxury House.
Straight Eight: BMW Motorrad achieves record sales again
BMW Motorrad achieved an eighth consecutive record year, with more motorcycles and maxi-scooters delivered to customers than ever before. Sales across the range increased by 0.9% with a total of 165,566 units delivered worldwide. “2018 was an important year for BMW Motorrad, with a total of nine emotional and innovative new models starting production,” said Peter Schwarzenbauer. “Introducing that many new models has been a challenge but one we’re proud to have mastered, as this new sales record proves. I’m sure we’ll build on that success through 2019,” Schwarzenbauer concluded.
BMW & MINI sales in the regions/markets
“Many of our most important markets have experienced significant political or economic headwinds this year. However the BMW Group continues to prioritise profit ahead of volume as we strive for balanced sales around the world,” said Pieter Nota.
Asia drove much of the company’s sales growth in 2018, with Mainland China achieving solid growth thanks in part to full availability of the BMW 5 Series and the popularity of the locally-produced BMW 1 Series sedan. Meanwhile the Americas also contributed to the BMW Group’s overall sales increase, with BMW being the only established premium manufacturer to achieve sales growth in the USA in 2018. Ongoing political and economic uncertainty in several markets mean that combined BMW & MINI sales in Europe are at the same high level as last year. BMW Group was the leading premium manufacturer in the UK, where the company also increased its share of the market. Increased market share was also achieved in Germany, where total BMW & MINI sales in 2018 were greater than in the previous year.
| In December 2018 | Compared with previous year % | In ytd
December 2018 |
Compared with previous year % | |
| Europe | 97,568 | -5.2 | 1,097,654 | -0.3 |
| – Germany* | 29,400 | -0.1 | 319,134 | +2.5 |
| – UK | 21,766 | +2.8 | 237,895 | -1.4 |
| Asia | 84,716 | +8.8 | 874,828 | +3.2 |
| – China (Mainland) | 62,895 | +20.9 | 639,953 | +7.7 |
| – Japan | 8,664 | +2.5 | 78,001 | -2.0 |
| Americas | 45,176 | -5.9 | 456,325 | +1.4 |
| – USA | 37,154 | -4.4 | 354,698 | +0.5 |
| – Latin America | 5,107 | -6.3 | 54,858 | +8.1 |
*Provisional registration figures
BMW Group sales in/ytd December 2018 at a glance
| In December 2018 | Compared with previous year % | In ytd
December 2018 |
Compared with previous year % | |
| BMW Group Automotive | 232,505 | -0.7 | 2,490,664 | +1.1 |
| BMW | 198,395 | +1.3 | 2,125,026 | +1.8 |
| – BMW M GmbH | 10,268 | +8.0 | 102,780 | +27.2 |
| MINI | 33,432 | -11.3 | 361,531 | -2.8 |
| BMW Group electrified* | 17,252 | +30.0 | 142,617 | +38.4 |
| Rolls-Royce | 678 | +55.9 | 4,107 | +22.2 |
| BMW Motorrad | 13,385 | +13.1 | 165,566 | +0.9 |
*BMW i, BMW iPerformance, MINI Electric
Sales outlook for 2019
The BMW Group expects to achieve a slight increase in global sales in 2019, in the low to mid single-digit area. The generally good economic environment and positive forecasts for the premium segment, in combination with our new models, especially the updated and expanded X-family portfolio, are expected to support sales growth in 2019. However political and economic circumstances are expected to remain volatile, which could have an impact on the automotive market.
In Mainland China, the BMW Group expects solid sales growth in 2019. While the Chinese market has normalised, the premium segment is expected to show good growth potential. Locally manufactured BMW vehicles will be the main growth drivers, especially the BMW X3, which will be fully available in 2019, having started production in China in June 2018.
In Europe, the BMW Group anticipates slight sales growth in 2019, although depending on economic development in the region, we cannot rule out that sales volume may remain at last year’s level.
Although the overall car market in the USA seems to have reached a peak, forecasts for the premium segment show growth potential for 2019. Given the positive outlook for both the premium car market and the overall economy, the BMW Group expects to achieve a slight sales growth, with growth driven largely by our renewed SUV-line-up.
- BMW electric and petrol/electric vehicle sales up by 25 per cent
- MINI achieves record UK market share
BMW Group has reported 239, 069 BMW and MINI vehicle registrations in 2018 with both brands significantly outperforming the total UK new car market which fell by seven per cent. The BMW brand accounted for 172,048 sales, a fall of two per cent compared to 2017, with one in ten customers now selecting an electric or petrol/electric vehicle.
MINI achieved a record UK market share of 2.8 per cent with sales of 67,021 vehicles representing a two per cent decrease over the previous year.
“Despite challenging trading conditions in the UK new car market, we have seen both BMW and MINI brands outperforming the market with the introduction of 11 new models during the year,” said Graeme Grieve, Chief Executive Officer of BMW Group UK.
“Although the 2019 economic outlook remains uncertain, we will be further strengthening our product portfolio with a number of significant new models. These will include not only the new BMW 1 and 3 Series but also several important luxury models such as the X7, the 8 Series Convertible and Gran Coupe, and Convertible and Coupe versions of the M8. In MINI’s 60th anniversary year we will also see the new all-electric MINI which will be produced at our Oxford plant,” Grieve added.
The BMW 1 Series 5-door was the brand’s biggest selling model in 2018, closely followed by the 3 Series Saloon, the 5 Series Saloon and the X1. BMW’s results were also driven by a strong performance from the X Series models which saw 41,171 vehicles delivered to customers, an increase of 19 per cent compared to 2017 and including more than 5,000 new BMW X2 models. The BMW 2 Series range saw sales increase by 15 per cent with the Active and Gran Tourer models together accounting for more than 10,000 sales. 2018 also saw demand increase by over 25 per cent for BMW’s electric and petrol/electric models with more than 17,000 customers choosing an alternatively fuelled vehicle, representing one in ten of all BMW brand vehicles sold.
MINI UK’s overall market share grew to a record 2.8 per cent in 2018, comprised of 67,021 vehicle registrations. The brand’s biggest and most versatile model, the MINI Countryman, recorded a 25 per cent increase versus 2017 with 14,607 registrations, due in part to the extremely strong customer demand for the Plug-in Hybrid model with 2,306 vehicles registered.
MINI Hatch saw 38,995 registrations between the 3-door Hatch and 5-door Hatch models. The MINI Convertible was the best-selling convertible in the UK in 2018 with 5,909 vehicle registrations.
BMW Group UK sales: January to December 2018:
| December 2018 |
December 2017 |
% change |
Year to date 2018 |
Year to date 2017 |
% change |
|
| BMW | 11,600 | 13,471 | -14 | 172,048 | 175,101 | -2 |
| MINI | 7,211 | 7,127 | 1 | 67,021 | 68,166 | -2 |
| Total BMW Group | 18,811 | 20,598 | -9 | 239,069 | 243,267 | -2 |
BMW GROUP DELIVERS OVER 140,000 ELECTRIFIED VEHICLES IN 2018
- Electrified vehicles sales up 38.4% year-on-year
- BMW Group European market leader in electromobility
- Krüger: Once again, we’ve achieved our ambitious target
- Company set to continue leading role in technology innovation
- 500,000 BMW Group e-vehicles expected on the roads by the end of 2019
Munich. The BMW Group sold more than 140,000 electrified (battery-electric and plug-in hybrid) vehicles in 2018, thereby confirming its leading role in the field of electromobility. In total, 142,617 (+38.4%) electrified BMW and MINI vehicles were delivered to customers around the world last year.
“Since launching the BMW i3 in 2013, the BMW Group has rapidly grown its sales of electrified vehicles. With over 140,000 delivered in 2018, we have once again achieved our ambitious target,” said Harald Krüger, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG. “This great sales result and our impressive market share proves our vehicles are what the customer wants. In countries which offer appropriate infrastructure and regulatory support, we see how quickly electromobility can become the norm. I’m confident that by the end of this year, there will be a total of half a million electrified BMW Group vehicles on the roads, with much more to come as we continue to extend our model line-up over the next few years,” Krüger continued.
Market leader
Europe is the Group’s biggest sales region for battery and plug-in hybrid vehicles, accounting for over 50% of sales in 2018. With 75,000 electrified vehicles delivered to customers in Europe last year, the BMW Group is the clear market leader in the region, with over 16% market share. In the company’s home market, Germany, the BMW Group accounts for one in five electrified vehicles sold last year. Globally, the BMW Group’s market share is over 9%. The company’s biggest single market for electrified vehicles is the USA, where over 25,000 electrified BMW and MINI vehicles were sold in 2018, accounting for more than 7% of the BMW Group’s overall sales in that country. The BMW 530e (combined fuel consumption: 2.3-2.1 l/100 km; combined power consumption: 52 – 47 g/100km; combined CO2 emissions: 13.9 – 13.3 g/km*) was the year’s biggest-selling luxury plug-in hybrid in the USA.
Increased share
The growing significance of electromobility for the BMW Group’s ongoing success as the world’s number one premium automotive company can already be seen today. Electrified vehicles accounted for 6% of total BMW and MINI sales in 2018, compared with 4% in 2017.
Strategic pillar
Electromobility is an essential pillar of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy Number ONE>NEXT and one of the company’s four key future-focused ACES topics (Autonomous, Connected, Electrified and Services/Shared). Having announced record spending on R&D in 2018, Harald Krüger confirmed, “We are implementing our strategy rigorously and investing extensively in the technologies of the future; expanding our leading role in electric mobility is a clear focus. 2018 was a significant year in this regard, with the announcement of major new strategic co-operations as well as the unveiling of several key new models,” Krüger said.
2018: Major milestones
FEBRUARY: The BMW Group announces a joint venture with the Chinese manufacturer Great Wall, with the initial focus of the cooperation on the joint R&D and local production of a MINI electric vehicle. This decision was taken for strategic reasons, in order to leverage the potential of the MINI brand. The BMW Group views China as the premium market of the future and it’s already the most active e-mobility market in the world, with huge potential. MINI is the perfect match for the market and the vehicles will be even more attractive to customers there if they are built locally.
MARCH: At the Geneva Motor Show, Harald Krüger confirms the BMW i Vision Dynamics will go into series production as the BMW i4, built in Munich from 2021.
APRIL: The BMW Concept iX3 is revealed at the Beijing Auto Show, the first full-electric model in the core BMW brand. It will be built in China and exported to the world, with a market launch scheduled for 2020.
MAY: The BMW i8 Roadster (combined fuel consumption 2.0 l/100 km; combined power consumption 14.5 kWh/100 km; combined CO2 emissions 46 g/km*) lifts the roof on the world’s best-selling plug-in hybrid sports car, helping overall sales of the BMW i8 to increase by 24% in 2018.
JULY: The BMW Group signs a long-term contract worth four billion euros with the Chinese company Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL) to supply battery cells. The award of this contract is a decisive factor in CATL’s decision to build the world’s most advanced battery cell manufacturing facility in Germany. From 2021 onwards, cells for the BMW iNEXT – which will be manufactured at the BMW Group plant in Dingolfing – will be supplied by the new CATL plant in Erfurt. The BMW Group has thereby anchored the entire e-mobility value chain in Germany – from battery cell production through to the finished vehicle.
SEPTEMBER: The world’s press are granted a first look at the BMW iNEXT Vision Vehicle, the BMW Group’s pioneering spearhead for future innovation. It combines autonomous driving, connectivity, electrification and services while keeping the focus on the customer and offering them their new “Favourite Space”. The BMW iNEXT Vision Vehicle runs on the company’s fifth generation electric-drivetrain, with a range of over 600 km in the WLTP cycle.
OCTOBER: The BMW Group, Northvolt and Umicore form a joint technology consortium in order to work closely together on the continued development of a complete and sustainable value chain for industrialised battery cells for electrified vehicles in Europe. Given the sharp rise in demand for battery cells, the consortium also aims to close the life-cycle loop of raw materials to the greatest possible extent with comprehensive recycling.
NOVEMBER: Further development of BMW eDrive technology sees the launch of the BMW i3 (120 Ah) and the BMW i3s (120Ah) (combined fuel consumption 0.0/0.0 l/100 km; combined power consumption 13.1/14.0 – 14.6 kWh/100 km; combined CO2 emissions: 0 g/km*). The storage capacity of this pioneering car’s high-voltage battery has therefore been doubled since its original market launch in 2013. In everyday use, the two models are now able to cover a distance of 260 kilometres. Remarkable in many ways, the BMW i3 also bucks the usual sales curve: deliveries of the BMW i3 have increased every year since it was launched, with 2018 sales up 11% on the previous year.
NOVEMBER: The electric motors and high-voltage batteries developed for the BMW i3 will be used to power a city bus made by Karsan which is designed specifically for use in inner-city traffic. This follows the successful co-operation with the Deutsche Post subsidiary Streetscooter, where BMW i battery modules enable the street scooter to be used all day for delivering letters and packages without the need for interim charging.
2019: New launches
This year will see the launch of several new plug-in hybrids, including the new generation BMW X5 plug-in hybrid(combined fuel consumption: 2.1 l/100 km; combined power consumption: 23.0 kWh/100 km; combined CO2 emissions: 49 g/km*) and the new BMW 3 Series plug-in hybrid (fuel consumption: from 1.7 l/100 km; CO2 emissions: from 39 g/km*). These models will have the latest generation of electric drive trains, offering an electric range of up to 80 km according to the NEDC cycle. 2019 is also the year when the hotly anticipated MINI Electric will be revealed, which will be built in Oxford, UK.
Further ahead
With the launch of the BMW i3, the BMW Group established itself early as a pioneer in the field of electric mobility. By 2021, the BMW Group will have five all-electric models: the BMW i3, the MINI Electric, the BMW iX3, the BMW i4 and the BMW iNEXT.
By 2025, that number is set to grow to at least twelve models. Including plug-in hybrids, the BMW Group’s electrified product portfolio will then comprise at least 25 models.
This wide range is possible thanks to highly flexible vehicle architectures and an equally flexible global production system. Going forward, the BMW Group will be capable of manufacturing models with all-electric (BEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and conventional (ICE) drivetrains on a single production line. Its ability to integrate e-mobility in the production network enables the BMW Group to respond even more flexibly to the increasing demand for electrified vehicles. By the end of 2019, the BMW Group expects to have more than half a million electrified vehicles on the roads.
The BMW Group is currently developing the fifth generation of its electric drivetrain, in which the interplay of electric motor, transmission, power electronics and battery will be additionally optimised. Integrating the electric motor, transmission and power electronics also cuts costs. Another advantage is that the electric motor does not require rare earths, enabling the BMW Group to reduce its dependence on their availability. The fifth generation of the electric drivetrain will be installed for the first time in the BMW iX3 in 2020.
All performance, fuel consumption, emissions and range figures are provisional.
* Fuel consumption, CO2 emissions, power consumption and range have been calculated based on the new WLTP test cycle and adapted to NEDC for comparison purposes, dependent on the tyre format selected. In these vehicles, different figures than those published here may apply for the assessment of taxes and other vehicle-related duties which are (also) based on CO2 emissions.
The BMW Group
With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. The BMW Group production network comprises 30 production and assembly facilities in 14 countries; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.
In 2017, the BMW Group sold over 2,463,500 passenger vehicles and more than 164,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2017 was € 10.655 billion on revenues amounting to € 98.678 billion. As of 31 December 2017, the BMW Group had a workforce of 129,932 employees.
The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain, comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy.