This was an increase of 10.6% over the previous record year in 2011 (1,668,982) and the BMW Group finished the year on a strong note with 181,571 vehicles sold in December, 14.8% higher than in the same month last year (prev. yr. 158,125).

‘2012 was a very successful year for us. The BMW Group achieved its best ever sales result for the second year in a row and expanded its lead in the premium segment. Our success can be attributed to our attractive model portfolio, the strength of our premium brands, as well as a strategy of balanced sales across all continents,’ said Ian Robertson, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible for Sales and Marketing BMW.

‘We enter the New Year with positive momentum and despite the prevailing headwinds in some markets; we aim to achieve another record year in sales in 2013. This year marks the beginning of a new era for the BMW Group, as we launch the all-electric BMW i3 towards the end of the year,’ he added.

BMW sales rose 11.6% in 2012 to reach a total of 1,540,085 vehicles, the best sales level in the history of the brand (prev. yr. 1,380,384). In December, a total of 152,286 vehicles were delivered – an increase of 18.8% (prev. yr. 128,182). One of the frontrunners in terms of growth was the highly successful BMW 1 Series, with a total of 226,829 vehicles sold in 2012, an increase of 28.6% over the previous year (176,418). The BMW X1 also continued to report strong gains in 2012 with a total of 147,776 vehicles sold (+16.9%; prev. yr. 126,429). The BMW 3 Series Sedan claimed the position of segment leader with 294,039 vehicles delivered an increase of 22.4% over last year (240,278). Sales of the BMW 3 Series rose by 5.8% to a total of 406,752 vehicles (prev. yr. 384,464). Demand for the BMW X3 remained high with sales climbing 27.1% to 149,853 units sold last year (prev. yr. 117,944). The BMW 5 Series solidified its position as segment leader, with a total of 337,929 vehicles delivered to customers in 2012 (+9.0%; prev. yr. 310,050).Strong gains were also achieved by the BMW 6 Series, with 23,193 vehicles delivered to customers (+146.8; prev. yr. 9,396).

Rolls-Royce remains the clear market leader in the ultra-luxury-class segment. Sales for the full year 2012 reached a record sales result of 3,575 motor cars, the highest annual sales in the 108-year history of Rolls-Royce and the third consecutive record. Rolls-Royce also reported 534 deliveries in December (+12%). Demand for all Phantom and Ghost variants was strong. Phantom Series II was unveiled in March at the Geneva Motor Show to worldwide acclaim and production has been increased at the company’s Goodwood manufacturing plant to cope with customer demand. Bespoke sales in 2012 reached record levels.

Global sales for MINI reached a new milestone by climbing to a record 301,526 vehicles in 2012 (+5.8%; prev. yr. 285,060). In December, sales remained around last year’s level with 28,751 vehicles sold (-2.4%; prev. yr. 29,467). The MINI Countryman recorded double-digit growth, with a total of 102,250 deliveries in 2012 (+14.8%; prev. yr. 89,036). Further momentum for the brand is expected with the launch of the MINI Paceman in spring this year. The U.S. remains the largest market for MINI, with a record-breaking 66,123 cars sold last year, followed by the U.K. with 50,367.