BMW Group in Asia achieves new sales records in 2006

Singapore. The BMW Group posted strong growth results in Asia for 2006,
beating previous records. With the BMW Group achieving sales of
126,949 vehicles, the company has again achieved a new sales record in
Asia, making the group the leading car company in the region's premium
segment for the 4th consecutive year. In all, retail figures for BMW,
MINI and Rolls-Royce cars delivered to customers were up 13.8%
(previous year: 111,571). Sales of the BMW brand gained 15.5%, rising
from 95,116 units to 109,848 units. MINI continued to enjoy growth
in Asia with sales of 16,959 cars (+3.7% / previous year: 16,353),
while Rolls-Royce delivered 142 Phantoms to customers in Asia last year
(previous year: 102/+39.2%). BMW Motorrad delivered 3,620 (previous
year: 3,622) motorcycles to Asia. The results underline the leading
position of all three premium brands of the BMW Group in Asia,
underscoring the Group's record performance and market leadership: On a
worldwide basis, BMW Group increased sales by 3.5% with the delivery of
1,373,970 vehicles (previous year: 1,327,992). Global sales of the BMW
brand, at 1,185,088 vehicles, outstripped the previous year's figure
(1,126,768) by 5.2%. Group revenues increased by 5.0% to euro 48,999
million (2005: euro 46,656 million) compared with the previous year.
Revenues generated by the Automobiles segment went up by 4.2% to euro
47,767 million (2005: euro 45,861 million). The Motorcycles segment
generated revenues of euro 1,265 million (2005: euro 1,223
million/+3.4%), whilst revenues from financial services rose by 17.8% to
euro 11,079 million (2005: euro 9,408 million). "The BMW Group
grew more strongly in Asia than in any other region of the world,"
stated Dr. Michael Ganal, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG,
who announced the latest results. "This means that we are going to
strengthen our presence in the individual markets in the years to come.
We will continue our product and market initiative and invest
further." Strong sales growth in key Asian markets. In 2006, the
BMW Group maintained strong sales increases in its key Asian markets,
beating industry growth levels in most of the car markets and receiving
accolades for products and brand alike. In region China (covering
Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan), BMW Group car sales
experienced the highest growth rates in Asia with a total of 44,700
vehicles sold (+35.4% / previous year: 33,020). In Mainland China, Group
sales of 36,357 BMW and MINI vehicles jumped by over 50% (previous
year: 24,025). Growth was spurred by the BMW 3 and 5 Series launched in
fall 2006, while the BMW 7 Series, X5 and X3 secured market leadership
in their respective segments. Sales included a BMW 5 Series Long
Wheelbase model designed specifically for the Chinese market. Mainland
China emerged in 2006 as the second largest market for the BMW 7 Series
worldwide with sales of 7,522 units. (+ 32% / previous year: 5,700). BMW
achieved an above 20% brand share of the premium segment in the Chinese
Mainland, earning the accolade "the most desired brand" and
"the most valued brand" in media surveys ( auto motor und
sport China, Feb.1, 2007 ; Fortune (China), July 2006). In Japan, the
largest individual market of the BMW Group in Asia, a new retail record
was reached with sales of 62,068 vehicles (+5.6% / previous year:
58,767). Contributing to the sales success were five anniversary BMW 1
Series, X3, X5, 3 Series and 5 Series models, launched on the occasion
of the BMW Japan Corporation's 25th anniversary. The reputation of
the BMW brand was further strengthened in a highly competitive market
with a No.1 ranking in the J.D. Power Asia Pacific Sales Satisfaction
Study. Japanese customers bought more than 13,400 MINI vehicles -
including a limited-edition model "MINI Designer's Choice",
specially created for this market. Limited production capacities at
Plant Oxford resulted in a sales increase of 1%, although demand for
the MINI was in reality much higher. In Korea, the third largest growth
market of the BMW Group in Asia, sales grew by over 10%, to a total of
7,250 vehicles (previous year: 6,682 units). The BMW 3 Series (the
segment leader) and the BMW 5 Series proved to be best-sellers. MINI
brand sales - again affected by supply from Oxford - decreased by 9.1%
to 700 vehicles (previous year: 770) In Singapore, more retail records
were broken, with BMW Group sales rising to 3,857 vehicles (+ 6.4%;
previous year: 3,624). The BMW brand achieved a retail volume 15%
higher than its nearest competitor, reinforcing its market leadership
position in the premium segment. The BMW 3 and 5 Series yet again
proved to be sales successes in their segments, generating over 70% of
BMW sales. The 7 Series, used to transport world leaders in Singapore
during the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Meetings in 2006,
also continued its successful run. MINI sales also increased by
almost 20% to 199 units (previous year: 166 units). While the overall
premium market in Thailand underwent a 14% decline (compared with the
previous year) due to political turmoil, the BMW Group still delivered
nearly 3,100 vehicles - 9% over the previous year. The BMW brand was
the only premium brand in Thailand to achieve a two-digit growth rate
with a volume of 2,822 vehicles (+13%; previous year: 2,502 units). The
BMW 3 and 5 Series were key growth drivers in a depressed market. The
BMW 3 Series retained segment leadership in 2006. The BMW X3 also
gained substantial popularity, X3 retail volume having quintupled in
only a year since the start of local production at Rayong. The MINI
brand suffered due to supply issues. Although retail volume of the MINI
brand decreased to 276 vehicles, the BMW Group still held a 40 per cent
share in the premium segment in Thailand. Malaysia saw record sales,
where the BMW Group delivered 3,472 vehicles to customers (+8%;
previous year; 3,213 units). The results, which flew in the face of a
declining market, exhibited the fastest growth rate in its market
segment. Like the 3 Series, the BMW 5 Series achieved market leadership.
MINI did not attain the previous year's retail level, with 170 vehicles
sold, but the launch of the new MINI at the end of March is expected to
boost sales. In the Philippines, the BMW Group secured market
leadership in the premium segment with a market share of 53 per cent
and a retail volume of 803 units. (Previous year: 802 units). The BMW
brand received two distinctions at the Philippines' Car of the Year
Awards: The BMW 5 Series was named "Best-
in-Ultra-Luxury-Class", and the X3 received the award for
"Best- in-Technical-Innovation". The premium segment in the
automotive market in Indonesia registered a decline due to economic
pressures, resulting in overall sales of 1,562 vehicles, a fall of 58%
compared to 2005. Correspondingly, BMW Group sales decreased to 600
vehicles. (-52%; previous year: 1,250 units). Yet, however, BMW received
the most number of accolades in this market, garnering 'Indonesia Car
of the Year 2006' for the 325i in the category "Best Premium
Sedan" as well as for the 730Li in the category "Best
Exclusive Sedan" plus the Autobild Indonesia Award 2006 for the 3,
5 and 7 Series. BMW was also honored with the "Best in Indonesia
Customer Satisfaction Award", "Indonesia Most Favorable Brand
2006", and attained the number one ranking in the "Indonesia
Customer Satisfaction Index" study published by J.D. Power Asia
Pacific. BMW Group to increase commitment in Asia BMW Group
officially opened its subsidiary "BMW India Private Limited"
recently at Gurgaon, Delhi and is due to open its production plant at
Chennai in Southern India, creating its fifth production location in
Asia. Production of the BMW 3 Series is expected to commence at the end
of March 2007, while the BMW 5 Series will be produced from May. The
BMW 3 and 5 Series will have stronger underbodies, higher ground
clearance and advanced fuel filters. BMW India will be the only car
manufacturer in India to offer financial services such as direct
Wholesale financing and Retail financing. Currently, BMW Group India's
workforce comprises 200 employees, while another 600 jobs will be
created at its retail and service partners. Through local production
and expansion of its dealership network to six outlets, BMW Group
intends to increase its retail volume to 1000 units as early as this
year. Last year, the BMW Group sold 257 BMW vehicles in India. In
Malaysia, BMW Group has just concluded an agreement with Sime Darby
Berhad to acquire the local enterprises SimeLease and its subsidiary
SimeCredit, a precursor to BMW Financial Services entering the
Malaysian market, pending the Foreign Investment Committee's approval.
In Singapore, the BMW Group strengthened its presence with the launch of
the BMW DesignworksUSA Asia studio as well as the opening of the BMW
Group Asia Pacific Treasury Center last year. Product and market
initiatives to continue - EfficientDynamics Key product highlights of
the BMW Group for Asia in 2007 include the new 3 Series Coupé,
the new MINI, the Z4 Coupé and the Z4 M Coupé as well as
the new X5. In early January, the new BMW 3 Series Convertible and the
convertible model Rolls-Royce Drophead Coupe made their world premieres
at the Detroit Motor Show. The efforts and innovative solutions in the
field of sustainability have enabled the BMW Group to continuously
improve the performance of its premium vehicles while reducing fuel
consumption. This concept is called "EfficientDynamics". It
means, that each model series and various technology applied to a
vehicle has to contribute to the overall target of reducing fuel
consumption. Therefore the company improves continuously its engines.
Technological improvements range from light-weight construction,
aerodynamics, rolling resistance and energy management of the
powertrain. Currently the BMW Group is also developing a hybrid
powertrain. The company's research on a long-term sustainable solution
to future individual mobility is being translated to commercial
production of the BMW Hydrogen 7, an innovative limited-series vehicle
powered by hydrogen. Outlook for 2007 The forecast of the BMW Group
for the year remains optimistic. "We expect the BMW Group's retail
growth to stay on a high level. This year, we already plan to meet our
2008 retail target of 1.4 million vehicles. Three years ago, we set an
annual retail target for Asia of 150,000 vehicles to be sold by 2008. We
also intend to move a fair step closer to this target this year,"
said Ganal. On the longer-term outlook in Asia, Ganal said, "The
BMW Group considers itself a long-term partner in the region Asia. This
means that we are going to strengthen our presence on the individual
markets in the years to come and we plan to invest further in these
markets." - END - Issued by: BMW Asia Pte Ltd Corporate
Affairs Department Michael T H Lim, Regional Manager Tel: (+65) 6838
9638; Fax: (+65) 6838 9626; Mobile: (+65) 9619 3863 Email:
Michael.Lim@bmwasia.com Karyn Tan, Executive Tel: (+65) 6838 9630; Fax:
(+65) 6838 9626 Email: Karyn.Tan@bmwasia.com Fleishman Hillard Pte Ltd
Hal Serudin Telephone: (+65) 6424 6377, Fax: (+65) 6424 6355, Mobile:
(+65) 8161 2843 E-mail: serudinh@fleishman.com Mustaffa bin Ehsan
Sa'aid Telephone: (+65) 6424 6373, Fax: (+65) 6424 6355, Mobile: (+65)
93857710 E-mail: mustaffa.ehsan@fleishman.com Media Website: www.press.bmwgroup.com