Last year saw the group deliver more than two million vehicles to with a total of 2,117,965 vehicles sold, up 7.9% and marking a new record in the group’s history.

‘With the launch of 15 new models planned for the year, we are confident that 2015 will see the momentum we’ve generated in the last years continue and that we will increase sales in all major sales regions, despite ongoing volatility in some markets,’ said Ian Robertson, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for sales and marketing BMW, at the Detroit Motor Show.

‘In Europe overall, sales should continue to recover, especially in those southern European markets which are starting from a fairly low level,’ Mr Robertson continued. ‘The market in the USA had a strong year in 2014 and we believe it will continue to grow. Asia is also set to deliver further sales increases.’

Peter Schwarzenbauer, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for MINI, BMW Motorrad and Rolls-Royce, added: ‘Following last year’s model change of our core MINI 3 door model and the introduction of the new MINI 5 door, MINI had its best ever fourth quarter in 2014. We take that momentum into the new year. The average age of our model range in 2015 is around 2.5 years – that’s the youngest we’ve had for a long time – and we’ll be introducing the new MINI Clubman later this year. I’m confident that MINI sales will set a new record in 2015.

‘The same goes for Rolls-Royce. With over 4,000 units delivered in 2014, the marque set a new sales record and I believe that success will be built on further this year.’

BMW also saw its best ever year in 2014, with total deliveries of 1,811,719; an increase of 9.5% on the previous year.

The group also reported growth in all major sales regions in 2014, including in all European markets.