BMW Group remains world’s Number One premium automotive company

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BMW Group remains world’s Number One premium automotive company

BMW Group remains world’s Number One premium automotive company

The BMW Group achieved its best-ever annual sales in 2017, the seventh consecutive year it has achieved a new annual record. This success was spread throughout the company with both BMW and MINI brands achieving new all-time high figures. BMW M and BMW i also achieved record sales, as did BMW Motorrad. With this sales result, the BMW Group reconfirms its position as the world’s leading premium automotive company.

Record sales for BMW
The company’s core BMW brand achieved a new all-time sales high, growing sales by 4.2% across the year, to total 2,088,283. BMW X vehicles continued to be significant growth drivers with sales of X vehicles up 9.6% compared to the previous year, despite limited availability of the BMW X3 due to the introduction of the new generation in November. The BMW 5 Series limousine, which underwent a model change during 2017, achieved growth of 55.2% (30,359) in December, with sales of the world’s leading premium business sedan up 6.3% (291,856) in the full year. Other models which contributed to the brand’s growth in 2017 include the BMW 1 Series (201,968 / +14.7%), and the BMW 7 Series (64,311 / +4.5%).

“We are delighted with these new record sales figures, which mean the BMW Group, with its three premium automotive brands BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce, remains the world’s leading premium automotive company,” commented Ian Robertson, until 31 December 2017 BMW AG board member responsible for Sales and Brand BMW. “We have continued to increase sales despite headwinds in some major markets and model-changeovers of several of our most significant vehicles. This demonstrates the high desirability of our brands and products, ranging from the i3 to the M5 and from the BMW 1 Series to the BMW 7 Series. We clearly achieved our target of selling over 100,000 electrified vehicles in a single calendar year and are delighted that, following its model changeover, the BMW 5 Series returned to its position as segment leader in the final months of 2017,” Robertson continued.

Pieter Nota, who on 1 January 2018 succeeded Robertson on the board of BMW AG, added “I am confident BMW sales will continue to grow during 2018, while we also maintain our focus on profitability. Increased availability of BMW X models and our ongoing model offensive, which includes the launches of brand new models this year such as the BMW X2 and the BMW 8 Series, will ensure we bring even more customers to the BMW brand in 2018.”

Target exceeded: over 100,000 electrified vehicles sold in 2017. BMW Group’s leading role in premium electro-mobility confirmed
In December, the BMW Group celebrated delivery of the 100,000th electrified vehicle sold in 2017. In total, 103,080 electrified vehicles were delivered to customers during the year; this increase of 65.6% underscores the company’s leading position in electro-mobility. The BMW Group sold more electrified vehicles in Europe than any other premium manufacturer in 2017 and the company’s position on the world market is also extremely strong. Four years after its launch, sales of the BMW i3 grew in 2017 by 23.3% to total 31,482 worldwide. The plug-in hybrid BMW iPerformance vehicles also continue to grow in popularity, with sales almost doubling to total 63,605. Launched in June 2017, the MINI Countryman plug-in hybrid also made a significant contribution to boosting the BMW Group’s electrified sales, with a total of 5,799 delivered to customers around the world. The BMW Group is expecting strong double-digit growth in electrified vehicle sales in 2018. By the end of 2019, the company aims to have at least half a million electrified BMW Group vehicles on the road.

Powerful growth at BMW M GmbH
BMW’s high-performance BMW M vehicles achieved record sales in 2017. Deliveries of BMW M and BMW M Performance vehicles increased by 19.1% compared to the previous year, with overall sales topping 80,000 for the first time ever. In its first full year on the market, the BMW M2 (fuel consumption combined: 8.5-7.9 l/100 km; CO2 emissions combined: 199-185 g/km. Fuel consumption and CO2 figures were calculated as per the EU test cycle and may vary depending on the tyre format.) was the strongest growth driver, with total sales of 12,293. The BMW M Performance variants of the new BMW 5 Series also contributed strongly to the increase in sales. With the launch of the new BMW M5 in in the spring, BMW M’s powerful success story looks set to continue in 2018.

All-time-best sales figures for MINI
The MINI brand overall achieved a new sales record in 2017 with 371,881 vehicles delivered to customers around the world, an increase of 3.2% on the previous year. The new MINI Countryman saw a jump in sales of 30.0% (84,441). Another significant contributor to the brand’s sales success was the MINI Convertible, which grew sales 12.0% (33,317). “We are delighted that with our new brand strategy, we have achieved a new sales record. The focus of the MINI portfolio on fewer but more characterful models was completed with the launch of the new MINI Countryman last year,” stated Peter Schwarzenbauer, Member of the BMW AG Board of Management responsible for MINI, Rolls-Royce, BMW Motorrad. “The Countryman contributed significantly to MINI’s growth in 2017 and the first MINI plug-in hybrid also achieved excellent results. I am sure that this success will continue into 2018, with the launch from March of the new MINI 3 and 5 door, as well as the MINI Convertible, supporting the brand’s further growth,” he continued.

Rolls-Royce
The Goodwood-based luxury house delivered 3,362 units (-16.2%) to customers in almost 50 countries during 2017. This result was achieved despite the absence of Phantom from the market due to model-changeover and against a backdrop of unsettled market conditions in the important Middle East market. New Phantom was unveiled in July to unprecedented worldwide acclaim by media and prospective customers alike and has a strong order book. First customer Phantoms are due to be delivered in January 2018.

BMW Motorrad
BMW Motorrad achieved a seventh consecutive record year, with more motorcycles and maxi-scooters delivered to customers than ever before. Sales across the range increased by 13.2% with a total of 164,153 units delivered worldwide – the ever- popular GS models were particularly strong growth drivers. A total of 14 new and updated models in the range, including additions to the R nineT family and the attractively priced G 310 R and G 310 GS also helped drive BMW Motorrad to its most successful sales year ever.

BMW & MINI sales in the markets / regions at a glance
The BMW Group maintains its focus on balanced sales around the world.

  • Asia was the company’s main growth driver in 2017 with China the most significant contributor. BMW and MINI sales in Mainland China, the company’s largest market, increased by 15.1% (594,388) in 2017. This increase was achieved despite the model changeover of the BMW 5 Series.
  • Europe maintained sales of BMW and MINI vehicles at the same extremely high level as the previous year, with a total of 1,100,975 (+0.9%) vehicles delivered to customers in the region, despite significant headwinds in the important UK market.
  • The Americas recorded a slight decrease in deliveries across the whole year (450,020/-2.0%) with the limited availability of BMW X models impacting on sales.

courtesy: www.press.bmwgroup.com

Agnieszka Polska wins the Preis der Nationalgalerie 2017 – Sandra Wollner awarded for the Förderpreis für Filmkunst. BMW as exclusive partner.

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Agnieszka Polska wins the Preis der Nationalgalerie 2017 – Sandra Wollner awarded for the Förderpreis für Filmkunst. BMW as exclusive partner.

Agnieszka Polska wins the Preis der Nationalgalerie 2017 – Sandra Wollner awarded for the Förderpreis für Filmkunst. BMW as exclusive partner.

The jury, consisting of Zdenka Badovinac, director of the Moderna galerija, Ljubljana; Hou Hanru, artistic director of the MAXXI Museo nazionale delle arti del XXI secolo, Rome; Sheena Wagstaff, Leonard A. Lauder Chairman for Modern and Contemporary Art of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; Sven Beckstette, curator at Hamburger Bahnhof – Museum für Gegenwart – Berlin; and Udo Kittelmann, director of the Nationalgalerie – Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, decided after intensive discussions on Agnieszka Polska (born 1985 in Lublin) as the prize winner.

With the award Agnieszka Polska wins a major solo exhibition next year in one of the Nationalgalerie’s institutions as well as an accompanying publication.

Jury statement:
“The jury congratulates each one of the artists for their excellent and thought-provoking exhibitions here at the Hamburger Bahnhof – Museum für Gegenwart – Berlin. After a robust discussion of all four artistic positions, the jury decided to award the Preis der Nationalgalerie 2017 to Agnieszka Polska. Throughout her work, Polska ingeniously interweaves some of the most pressing issues of our time. She deftly creates a poetic and affective relationship between the visual and acoustic language of our digitally infused daily lives by using contemporary imaginary and cultural references–including scientific theories, early animation, and the utopian inclination of the avant-garde. In her exploration of multiple temporalities within our universe she destabilizes the very notion of humanity and humanness. As the personification of the sun in her film states: ‘My gaze was moving at constant speed, and everything was becoming irreversible the moment I observed it.’ We look forward to seeing Agnieszka Polska’s exhibition at the Nationalgalerie in autumn 2018.”

Agnieszka Polska wins the Preis der Nationalgalerie 2017 – Sandra Wollner awarded for the Förderpreis für Filmkunst. BMW as exclusive partner.

Dr Nicolas Peter, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Finance, said: “Take a good look at the shortlist of the Preis der Nationalgalerie within the past decade and you will realize that having been nominated jumpstarted many of an artist’s career. As long-term partner since the award’s inception we wholeheartedly congratulate Agnieszka Polska! It will be great to see what she may come up with for her exhibition next year.”

In addition to Agnieszka Polska, the shortlisted artists for this year’s Preis der Nationalgalerie were Sol Calero, Iman Issa and Jumana Manna. The works of the artists will be shown in a group exhibition until January 14, 2018 at Hamburger Bahnhof – Museum für Gegenwart – Berlin.

In cooperation with the Deutsche Filmakademie the Förderpreis für Filmkunst, endowed with 10.000 Euros, was awarded for the fourth time. The winner is Sandra Wollner for “Das unmögliche Bild”.

Agnieszka Polska wins the Preis der Nationalgalerie 2017 – Sandra Wollner awarded for the Förderpreis für Filmkunst. BMW as exclusive partner.

The Jury, consisting of Meret Becker, actor, member of the Deutsche Filmakademie; Alexander Beyer, actor, member of the Deutsche Filmakademie; Natasha Ginwala, curator of the Contour Biennale 8 and curatorial adviser of the documenta 14; Alice Motard, chief curator at the CAPC Musée d’Art Contemporain de Bordeaux; and Alya Sebti, head of the ifa-Galerie Berlin, chose the winner from a shortlist of four candidates.

As a symbolic prize Iris Berben, President of the Deutsche Filmakademie, and Alexander Beyer, Deutsche Filmakademie, awarded both winners Agnieszka Polska and Sandra Wollner with a signed multiple “Intuition” by Joseph Beuys from 1968.

The actor and singer Meret Becker hosted the award ceremony. Over 500 invited guests and members of the Freunde der Nationalgalerie celebrated the two winners along with longstanding partner BMW.

The Preis der Nationalgalerie was enabled by the Verein der Freunde der Nationalgalerie seventeen years ago. For nearly twelve years BMW supports the Preis der Nationalgalerie as a long-term partner, as well as the Förderpreis für Filmkunst in cooperation with the Deutsche Filmakademie.

courtesy: www.press.bmwgroup.com

BMW Group electrified sales top 10,000 in September

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BMW Group electrified sales top 10,000 in September

BMW Group electrified sales top 10,000 in September

BMW Group sales of electrified vehicles in the first three quarters of 2017 have exceeded those achieved in the whole of 2016; in September, electrified sales topped the 10,000 mark for the first time in a single month. With the company’s electrified line-up already totalling nine models, a total of 10,786 (+50.5%) BMW i, BMW iPerformance and MINI Electric vehicles were delivered in September, bringing the year-to-date total to 68,687 (+64.2%).

“We are pleased to see the ongoing, strong sales development of our unrivalled range of electrified vehicles, with independent reports* confirming our leadership in the field of electromobility,” commented Dr Ian Robertson, BMW AG Management Board Member for Sales and Brand BMW. “The BMW Group has the largest share of the electrified market worldwide; this year, we’ve already sold more electrified vehicles than in the whole of last year and we are well on track to deliver our target of 100,000 by year-end. The continued significant sales growth of these vehicles is due in part to the increasing availability of the BMW 5 Series plug-in hybrid, which in some markets accounts for up to a third of BMW 5 Series sedan sales,” he continued.

(BMW 530e: fuel consumption combined: 1.9-2.1 l/100 km; combined electricity consumption: 13.1-14.1 kWh/100 km, CO2 emissions combined: 44-49 g/km. Fuel consumption and CO2 figures were calculated as per the EU test cycle and may vary depending on the tyre format.)

September also saw growth in overall BMW Group sales. Despite the current changeover of the significant BMW X3 model, deliveries in the month totalled 239,764 (+0.8%) worldwide, bringing the year-to-date total to 1,811,234 (+3.7%). Both figures represent best-ever sales for the respective period.

Global BMW brand sales in the first three quarters of 2017 increased by 3.9% with a total of 1,537,497 customer deliveries worldwide. These record figures can be attributed to increased sales across a variety of models in the portfolio. The BMW X family remains a strong growth driver, despite availability of the BMW X3 being significantly affected by the current model changeover. Total BMW X sales were up 12.5% (522,360) in the first nine months of the year. Other models contributing significantly to sales growth this year include the BMW 1 Series (143,018 / +10.8%) and the BMW 7 Series (47,880 / +14.7%). Meanwhile in September, the new BMW 5 Series achieved sales growth of 48.8% (23,737) in markets excluding China, where the 5 Series is currently in model changeover.

The first nine months of the year also saw MINI achieve new record sales: worldwide, a total of 271,394 were delivered to customers, an increase of 2.8%. “MINI continues to achieve sustainable sales growth with the new MINI Countryman proving a particularly strong growth driver,” commented Peter Schwarzenbauer, BMW AG Management Board member for MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad. “The popularity of the first ever MINI plug-in hybrid, which has already been delivered to more than 2,700 customers worldwide since it was introduced in June, is particularly exciting,” he continued. Almost one in ten Countryman sold in September was a MINI Cooper S E Countryman ALL4 (fuel consumption in the EU test cycle: 2.3-2.1 litres/100 km, electricity consumption 14 kWh/100 km, CO2 emissions: 52-49 g/km).

The Goodwood-based Rolls-Royce brand delivered 2,343 (-10.7%) cars to customers in the first three quarters of the year. This result takes into account the current absence of Phantom from the market, pending first customer deliveries of New Phantom in January 2018, and challenging market conditions within the global luxury sector in a number of regions around the world. Significant rebalancing of the company’s manufacturing plant in preparation for new models has proceeded throughout this period. New Phantom was unveiled in July in London to worldwide acclaim and already has a strong order book.

BMW Motorrad once again achieved record sales in September, with 14,090 motorbikes and maxi-scooters delivered to customers. This was an increase of 15.3% compared to the previous year. In the first nine months of the year, 127,818 units were delivered to customers – an increase of 10.1% compared to the same period last year.

courtesy: www.press.bmwgroup.com

BMW Group lays the foundation for expansion of its Research and Innovation Centre (FIZ)

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BMW Group lays the foundation for expansion of its Research and Innovation Centre (FIZ)

BMW Group lays the foundation for expansion of its Research and Innovation Centre (FIZ)

The BMW Group is embarking on an extensive expansion of its FIZ Research and Innovation Centre in the north of Munich. The “FIZ Future” masterplan, which was developed as part of an urban development competition, will expand the development centre by around 50 per cent by 2050. The BMW Group will invest around 400 million euros in the first phase of construction, which will create a viable infrastructure for developing tomorrow’s mobility.

Bavarian Prime Minister Horst Seehofer, Mayor of Munich Dieter Reiter and Harald Krüger, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, launched the construction project today in the Milbertshofen district of Munich. In an official ceremony, the foundation was laid for a building complex with a total floor area of 157,000 m2. From 2019 on, around 5,000 employees will work here in innovative open-plan workspaces, developing hardware and software for the company’s future vehicles.

“Here in Munich, we will be creating the next generations of electrified drive trains, with decisive innovations for the mobility of the future. Focusing on IT and artificial intelligence, this will also be home to a new industry and a new generation of engineers and IT specialists,” according to Harald Krüger, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG. “Today, we are laying the foundation together for our new idea factory. FIZ Future signals our strong commitment to the Munich location and Germany’s innovative strength. We are building the future right here.”

BMW Group lays the foundation for expansion of its Research and Innovation Centre (FIZ)

Prime Minister Horst Seehofer: “My congratulations on this far-sighted choice of location. This day will continue a 100-year success story. The mobility of tomorrow is being created right here. The expansion of the BMW Group’s Research and Innovation Centre in Munich is a strong vote of confidence in Bavaria’s future strength.”

“BMW’s development, creating jobs and promoting research and development here in the north of Munich is a great gain for our city,” explained Dieter Reiter, Mayor of the City of Munich, at the ceremony. “And the fact that FIZ Future in Munich is thinking about the future of the car, researching and developing electro-mobility and alternative drive trains and forms of mobility is also a gain for urban mobility in general.”

FIZ Future masterplan

As part of its Strategy NUMBER ONE > NEXT, the BMW Group and its FIZ Future programme aim to create a framework for the long-term development of its Research and Innovation Centre in the north of Munich. With around 26,000 workspaces and approx. 1 million m2 net floor space, the development centre is already the BMW Group’s largest location. In several stages, the expansion will create workspaces for another 15,000 employees by 2050. The aim is not just to create space, but, more importantly, to provide the right conditions for working in the future. Technological changes, driven by digitalisation and connectivity, demand agile team structures, quick decisions and immediate implementation. That is why the new buildings will primarily offer open, flexible spaces where staff members can meet, discuss and implement their ideas quickly – for example, by testing new software for a vehicle prototype in a workshop just a few steps away and seeing the results immediately. The FIZ expansion and remodelling is therefore not only an investment in the future competitiveness of the company, it is also an investment in attractive state-of-the-art workplaces.

In the urban development competition, organised in September 2014 in close collaboration with the Department of Planning and Building Regulations of the City of Munich, it was the proposal of the architectural firm HENN that impressed the most. On this basis – and with regular involvement of the people living in the north of Munich – a FIZ Future masterplan was developed and approved by Munich City Council in July 2016 as the basis for the expansion. Following today’s start of construction, other administrative, research and workshop facilities will be created over the medium and long term, as well as test benches and design studios.

courtesy: www.press.bmwgroup.com

Rallye OiLibya du Maroc 2017 – Round 10, FIA Cross Country Rally World Cup

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Rallye OiLibya du Maroc 2017 – Round 10, FIA Cross Country Rally World Cup

Rallye OiLibya du Maroc 2017 – Round 10, FIA Cross Country Rally World Cup

Rallye OiLibya du Maroc is race 10 and the penultimate round of the 2017 FIA Cross Country World Cup calendar. This race is not just the last chance for competitors to shine at one of the most competitive cross-country rally events, but also to reacquaint with racing in desert conditions ahead of the 2018 Dakar Rally. For MINI Motorsport partner X-raid, it is also the signal to sign off a successful year of continued test and development of MINI racing cars, again in readiness for the “big one” – the Dakar Rally.

Seven MINI crews are ready to tackle the dust, sand and dunes of Morocco. The racing action starts on Thursday 5th October with a 12.16 km Super Special section close to the ancient city of Fez. This short but spectacular race is to not only establish a start order for the next day, but also to show the watching locals and world audience what exactly makes cross-country racing the most spectacular long-distance motorsport today and all within a controlled viewing arena.

The seven crews of the MINI family will contest to take the win but it is the pairing of Jakub Przygonski (POL) and co-driver Tom Colsoul (BEL) who will be racing with a defensive strategy. Currently second in the FIA Cross Country World Cup, Przygonski will want to safeguard that position, while at the same threaten for the top spot and extend his racing experience.

Rallye OiLibya du Maroc 2017 – Round 10, FIA Cross Country Rally World Cup

Building on their new “work” relationship will be Mikko Hirvonen (FIN) and co-driver Andreas Schulz (GER), who will be keen to improve on their last outing together at the Hungarian Baja 2017 (round eight), which saw the pairing shine brilliantly by completing the race in second place.

Another duo keen to shift Moroccan desert from under the wheels of a MINI is that of American duo Bryce Menzies and Peter Mortensen. After the last minute retirement from the start of the 2017 Dakar Rally, both Menzies and Mortensen are keen to make their up and coming debut Dakar a memorable one. Racing time in Morocco will be time well spent in every aspect of endurance rallying.

Fresh from victory in a MINI ALL4 Racing at Argentine’s Desafío Ruta 40 Norte, Orlando Terranova (ARG) and Bernardo Graue (ARG) are sure to be focused on challenging for the front but at the same time focussed on preparation for the extremes of Dakar. This will, like all crews, include navigation, which is notoriously difficult in the barren regions of South America.

Rallye OiLibya du Maroc 2017 – Round 10, FIA Cross Country Rally World Cup

Former Dakar winner (2014 – MINI ALL4 Racing) Nani Roma (ESP) takes to Moroccan ground for his first outing with MINI in 2017. Together with compatriot Alex Haro, it shouldn’t take this pair long to familiarise with the reliability and all-round performance of a MINI racing car.

Boris Garafulic (CHI) last made his appearance within the MINI Family at the 2017 Dakar Rally. With this in mind and the prospect of competing at the 2018 Dakar Rally, Garafulic is keen to experience X-raid’s long-standing development practice that has enabled MINI to amass four Dakar race-win titles in succession. Filipe Palmeiro (POR) is his co-driver for the Moroccan race.

Vladimir Vasilyev (RUS) with friend and co-driver Konstantin Zhiltsov (RUS) are the final duo to make up the seven MINI crews to contend Rallye OiLibya du Maroc. The combined experience of these two men is wide as it is long and means they should never be discounted from pushing the competition all the way.

courtesy: www.press.bmwgroup.com