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We recently reported on a new joint venture between BMW and China’s Brilliance car company, called “Zhi Nuo” (which translates into “The Promise”) [more details]. This new brand name will be introduced at the Shanghai auto show later this month and will build its cars in China upon the E90 3 Series and X1 platform.
Under the joint venture, BMW has the right to export cars produced under the co-brand. According to Autonews, BMW is now considering exporting the Zhi Nuo built models outside of China, and not just to emerging markets but possibly also mature markets such as Europe.
No specific target export markets have yet been announced, but it will be interesting to see if these Chinese produced cars … CONTINUED
BMW brand sales up 13.1 percent, best March ever
MINI brand sales up 3.5 percent
BMW Motorcycle sales up 7.6 percent
Woodcliff Lake, NJ - April 2, 2013… The BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) reported March sales of 33,149 vehicles, an increase of 11.2 percent from the 29,806 vehicles sold in the same month a year ago. Year-to-date, the BMW Group (BMW and MINI combined) is up 4.3 percent on sales of 78,957 in the first three months of 2013 compared to 75,729 in the same period in 2012.
“March roared out like a lion giving BMW even better numbers than the previous record set in 2007,” said Ludwig Willisch, President and CEO, BMW of North America. “The arrival this month of the new 320i … CONTINUED
BMW was named today the of the 2013 Kelley Blue Book Brand Image Award winner for “Best Overall Luxury Brand.” The awards, which are based on consumer perception data from the Kelley Blue Book’s Brand WatchTM study, honor the automotive brands that have most successfully captured and maintained positive consumer attention and enthusiasm. BMW’s win was credited to its well-rounded image and broad appeal, according to Kelley Blue Book.
“It is an honor to be recognized as the ‘Best Overall Luxury Brand,” said Ludwig Willisch, President and CEO, BMW of North America. “The fact that this award is based solely on consumer perception only makes BMW’s win that much more satisfying.”
Brand WatchTM is an online brand and model perception tracking study tapping into 12,000+ in-market new-vehicle … CONTINUED
Here is a breakdown of BMW sales figures, broken down by models and units, for the past 6 years (2007-2012). As expected, 3 Series and 5 Series models dominate.
BMW has been experiencing record sales and profits and this has helped propel BMW heir, Susanne Klatten, to the top of the list of the wealthiest people in the auto industry.
Forbes values the 50 year old German at $14.3 billion, up $1.3 billion from 2012. This makes Klatten the:
Richest person to have made his/her money in the auto industry.
4th richest person in Germany
58th richest person in the world
How did Klatten accumulate her wealth? Ever hear of the Quandt family? Klatten inherited a stake in BMW from her late father, Herbert Quandt, who rescued the company from bankruptcy decades ago. The remaining Quandt heirs (Susanne, her brother, and her mother) are each … CONTINUED
Statement and Presentation by Dr. Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Annual Accounts Press Conference
Ladies and Gentlemen!
We have a clear vision for the years leading up to 2020: To be the leading provider of premium products and premium services for individual mobility.
We are already the top-selling premium automaker worldwide. For us, however, leading the premium segment is more than volume leadership.
We set standards for products, technologies and services, as well as manufacturing.
We bring innovations onto the market.
We create new segments and visionary design.
We turn our customers into fans.
We are shaping individual mobility of the future.
To achieve this vision, we have … CONTINUED
BMW Group cautiously optimistic for 2013
Ambitious targets in challenging environment
Sales volume set to rise to new record figure in 2013
Earnings before tax expected at previous year’s level
High rate of expenditure for new technologies and models
EBIT margin between 8% to 10% targeted for Automotive segment
All Strategy Number ONE interim targets fully attained
Reithofer: Several hundred advance orders received for BMW i3
Munich - March 19, 2013… After achieving a record-breaking year in 2012, the BMW Group’s outlook for the current 12-month reporting period is cautiously optimistic, based on ambitious targets set amid a persisting difficult and volatile economic environment. “We are aiming to achieve a further rise in unit sales in the current year and hence a new sales volume record”, stated … CONTINUED
Fortune has published its World’s Most Admired Companies 2013 list and BMW has been ranked at the most admired automobile company, and 14th most admired company overall.
Why it’s admired says Fortune:
The Rolls-Royce and BMW names are synonymous with luxury – and not just in the carmaker’s native Germany. The world’s leading premium vehicle manufacturer has earned global renown in places such as Brazil, Russia, India and China. Its progress there, analysts predict, will be particularly lucrative in coming years. The company turned a profit during the recession, unlike most of its competitors. Up next, it’s going long on China, where it has plans to invest $600 million Euro. —AV
First 14 top ranked, among all industries:
The sales war posturing between BMW and its German competitors continues. Bloomberg reports that BMW has plans to hire Peter Schwarzenbauer, the former Audi AG sales chief. The report has Schwarzenbauer joining BMW next month, in a top level management position which will report directly to BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer.
This move comes during a period of all out sales battles between BMW, Audi and Mercedes, each seemingly intent on capturing the top sales crown each month (and year). BMW recently regained the top spot in global luxury auto sales from Audi last month.
BMW was able to secure the top spot on strong sales figures from increased demand for the 3 Series and X1. BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer said in Geneva this week that the carmaker’s … CONTINUED
