Three victories for BMW – readers of the trade magazine “auto, motor und sport” choose “The best cars of 2013”.

Munich. For BMW, the year 2013 has got off to a really pleasing start. Readers of the trade magazine “auto, motor und sport” gave models of this brand the best rating in three different categories. The new version of the BMW 3 Series went immediately to the top of the highly competitive midrange segment, the BMW 5 Series once again defended its lead in the upper midrange segment and the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe went straight to first place in the luxury class ratings. In addition, like last year, the BMW 6 Series seized third place in the category convertibles. On the whole, an impressive result, continuing with the numerous successes achieved in recent years in this survey. The high total of 112,877 readers participating in the vote shows that the interest in this highly reputed survey is by no means declining. Hence, this traditional readers’ competition stands on a broad and appropriately indicative basis.

The accolades were presented to Dr. Ian Robertson, board member of the BMW AG, responsible for BMW Sales and Marketing, during a gala event held in Stuttgart today.

The BMW rankings at a glance:

BMW 3 Series                                   First place in the midrange segment

BMW 5 Series                                   First place in the upper midrange segment

BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe              First place in the luxury class

BMW 6 Series Convertible                Third place in the convertible category

Every year for 37 years now, the automotive trade magazine “auto, motor und sport” has held this large-scale opinion survey, which is also a widely acclaimed indicator for the automotive market, as the results reflect tendencies, needs and potential buyers’ preferences. In the current survey, readers were able to choose from 373 models, which were to be assessed in a total of ten different categories. These included 51 completely new models, which were being assessed for the first time, as well as 48 revised model series.

The BMW 3 Series’ victory in the fiercely competitive, high-volume midrange segment impressively underscores what the potentially record-breaking sales figures of this popular series had already suggested: The BMW 3 Series is right at the top of its segment. A high level of popularity and acceptance was also confirmed by the success of the BMW 5 Series, which, as the winner in the upper midrange segment, kept its competitors “at a distance” for the third time in succession. Furthermore, the “start-to-finish victory” of the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe demonstrates with its elegant interpretation of a four-door coupe that BMW has effectively managed to meet the needs of luxury class clientele.

BMW’s good performance in the category “Car of the Year 2013” reflects the brand’s tremendous success achieved last year, during which BMW sold more cars than ever before in the company’s history. Sales increased in 2012 by 11.6 % to a new record high of 1,540,085 vehicles.