Official Release: The BMW Group continued to perform well in the first quarter of 2013. Group revenues totalled € 17,546 million (2012: € 18,293 million; -4.1%). Despite higher expenditure on new technologies, increased personnel expenses and challenging market conditions worldwide, the profit before financial result (EBIT) for the three-month period totalled € 2,039 million (2012: € 2,134 million; -4.5%), the second highest result ever achieved by the Group in a first quarter. The EBIT margin for the Group was 11.6%.

Profit before tax (EBT) for the period from January to March amounted to € 2,003 million (2012: € 2,080 million; -3.7%). Group net profit came in at € 1,312 million (2012: € 1,352 million; -3.0%). The total number of BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brand vehicles delivered to customers worldwide in the first three months of 2013 rose by 5.3% to 448,200 units (2012: 425,528 units).

Reithofer: Revenues and earnings at high levels

“Despite the current weakness of car markets in Europe, the BMW Group has made a good start to the new financial year 2013. We achieved a new sales volume record for a first quarter. And despite high expenditure on new technologies and challenging market conditions worldwide, we managed to keep revenues and earnings at high levels. At 9.9%, the operating margin in the Automotive segment for the three-month period was at the top end of the return corridor we aspire to achieve on a sustainable basis “, stated Norbert Reithofer, the Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG on Thursday in Munich.

Automotive segment: EBIT of € 1.58 billion

First-quarter revenues for the Automotive segment totalled € 15,907 million (2012: € 16,159 million; -1.6%) and were thus at a similarly high level to the previous year. As a result of high expenditure on new technologies, a changed regional sales mix and generally challenging market conditions, EBIT amounted to € 1,582 million and was therefore lower than the previous year ‘s corresponding figure (2012: € 1,880 million; -15.9%). The first-quarter EBIT margin for the Automotive segment was 9.9%. Profit before tax amounted to € 1,516 million (2012: € 1,822 million; -16.8%).

The BMW brand set a new sales volume record for a first-quarter, thereby helping it to maintain its leading position in the premium segment worldwide. Sales volume climbed by 7.0% to 381,404 units (2012: 356,548) units. The BMW X1, 3 Series, 5 Series and 7 Series models each remained market leader worldwide in their relevant segments.

The BMW 1 Series achieved a sales volume of 53,906 units in the first quarter (2012: 54,160 units; -0.5%), almost reaching the previous year ‘s figure. The BMW 3 Series registered sharp growth (19.9%) with 109,309 units sold (2012: 91,189 units). The BMW 5 Series also continues to sell very well, with sales volume rising by 4.3% to 85,731 units (2012: 82,231 units). The BMW 6 Series again performed extremely well with 6,174 units sold (2012: 4,651 units; +32.7%).

The various models of the BMW X family also sold well during the period from January to March. Sales of the BMW X1 jumped by 27.6% to 37,680 units (2012: 29,532 units). The BMW X3 and BMW X5 recorded first-quarter sales of 36,189 units (2012: 35,248 units) and 27,274 units (2012: 26,563) respectively, in both cases corresponding to a growth rate of 2.7%. Sales of the BMW X6 totalled 9,769 units (2012: 11,048 units; -11.6%).

A total of 66,154 MINI brand cars were delivered in the first quarter (2012: 68,210 units; -3.0%). Sales of the MINI Countryman rose by 7.1% to 23,559 units (2012: 22,001 units). The MINI Roadster more than doubled its unit sales volume for the period to 2,288 units (2012: 980 units). Sales of the MINI Hatch totalled 29,519 units (2011: 30,692 units; -3.8%). Production lines at the Oxford plant were closed for renovations for four weeks during the reported period. In March, the MINI family was expanded to include a seventh member, the MINI Paceman , a Sports Activity Coupé, which is expected to help boost sales volume in the further course of the year.

In the super-luxury class segment, Rolls-Royce sold 642 vehicles in the first quarter, 16.6% fewer than the 770 units reported one year earlier. In March, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars presented the Wraith, the most powerful Rolls-Royce ever made. Customers will be able to purchase the new model towards the end of the year.

The BMW Group improved its position in practically all regions of the world during the first quarter. Sales volume increases in Europe (207,243 units; +3.1%), the Americas (96,488 units; +5.0%) and Asia (130,219 units; +9.5%) all contributed to evenly balanced growth for the BMW Group.

Sales volumes in the USA and China grew by 4.2% (79,117 units) and 7.5% (86,224 units) respectively. Strong volume growth was recorded in a number of other markets such as Great Britain with 45,757 units (+17.4%) and Russia with 9,394 units (+21.0%).
By contrast, sales figures for Italy (16,006 units; -5.1%) and France (15,343 units; -7.4%) were down on the previous year.