BMW: South Africa’s top-selling luxury car brand in 2010

The recorded annual combined BMW Group sales figures in South Africa showed growth of 29.4% over 2009 with 24 405 units. This performance gave the BMW Group a total premium segment share of 35.4% and a total market share of 8.8%. Furthermore, sales in December 2010 of 1 938 units, comprising of 1 762 BMW sales and 176 MINIs, represented growth of more than 140% when compared to the 809 units sold in December 2009 (702 BMW and 107 MINI).

 

BMW Group South Africa Sales
	2010	2009	Variance (%)
BMW	22622	17333	30.5%
MINI	1783	1523	17.1%
	24405	18856	29.4%
BMW Group South Africa Plus Segment Share
	2010	2009	Variance (%)
BMW	32.8%	30.6%	2.2%
MINI	2.6%	2.7%	-0.1%
	35.4%	33.2%	2.1%
BMW Group South Africa Overall Market Share
	2010	2009	Variance (%)
BMW	8.2%	7.8%	0.4%
MINI	0.6%	0.7%	-0.04%
	8.8%	8.5%	0.3%

 

 

“The achievement of premium segment leadership in South Africa mirrors the success of the BMW Group globally, with similar drivers,” explains BMW South Africa Managing Director, Mr. Bodo Donauer. “As the leading provider of premium vehicles around the world, the success of our sales can be attributed to one of the youngest premium vehicle model line- ups available and robust demand for the many new vehicles we launched in 2010.

 

“Around the world, demand for cars like the new BMW X1 and the all-new BMW 5 Series – which is of course a 2010 SA Guild of Motoring Journalists’ Car of The Year finalist – outstrips supply and the same holds true in South Africa,” Donauer explains. “In addition, there was very strong demand for the recently updated X5 range and the entire 1 Series model line-up was very successful last year.”

 

Mr. Donauer adds that the locally-produced BMW 3 Series, manufactured at BMW Plant Rosslyn in Pretoria since 2005, remains in high demand. “The BMW 3 Series is still the epitome of the sports sedan and is undeniably the most efficient and dynamic of the competitors in this segment. The strong demand for the 3 Series, both locally and in our export markets, shows that our customers continue to appreciate the Sheer Driving Pleasure that only BMW can offer.”

 

Whilst the outlook for the automotive industry in 2011 is positive, Donauer is quick to point out that double-digit growth is unlikely. “We need to remember that 2007 represented the car market’s worst decline since 1985 and that we continue to operate some way below the market’s best year in 2006, despite the marked increase in 2010.

 

“Whilst some economic uncertainties remain, both locally and internationally, we are confident that our exciting model line-up will allow us to continue to grow in 2011, albeit at a single-digit rate. Certainly, full availability of new vehicles like the new BMW X3 and MINI Countryman, which were both launched in December 2010, and exciting new vehicles like the all-new BMW 6 Series, will give BMW the impetus to continue this success in the New Year,” Donauer concludes.  

-Ends-

 

 

 

Media queries:

Edward Makwana

Manager: Group Automotive Communications

BMW South Africa (Pty) Ltd

Tel: +27-12-522-2227

Mobile: +27-83-717-3184

Email: edward.makwana@bmw.co.za 

 

The BMW Group

The BMW Group is one of the most successful manufacturers of automobiles and motorcycles in the world with its BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brands. As a global company, the BMW Group operates 24 production facilities in 13 countries and has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

 

The BMW Group achieved a global sales volume of approximately 1.29 million automobiles and over 87,000 motorcycles for the 2009 financial year. Revenues totalled euro 50.68 billion. At 31 December 2009, the company employed a global workforce of approximately 96,000 associates.

 

The success of the BMW Group has always been built on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain, comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy. As a result of its efforts, the BMW Group has been ranked industry leader in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes for the last six years.