BMW says 2007 China car sales jump 42 pct
SHANGHAI, Jan 17 (Reuters) - BMW (BMWG.DE: Quote, Profile, Research), the world’s
largest premium car maker, said on Thursday it sold 42 percent
more cars in mainland China in 2007, as the country’s growing
ranks of nouveau riche snapped up the latest models.
Total sales swelled to 51,588 units in 2007 from 36,357 units
a year earlier, it said in a statement.
Sales of BMW brands rose 40 percent to 49,388 units, with
locally made BMW 3 and 5 series up 36 percent at 30,600 units.
Sales of Minis jumped more than two-fold to 2,200 units, it
said.
In the Greater China area, including mainland China, Macau,
Taiwan and Hong Kong, BMW moved 61,098 vehicles in the period, up
37 percent, it added.
Many other foreign automakers have reported strong sales in
the world’s second-largest auto market, as they rolled out new
models.
General Motors’ (GM.N: Quote, Profile, Research) vehicles sales in the country rose
18.5 percent to 1.03 million units during the period, while
Volkswagen AG (VOWG.DE: Quote, Profile, Research) moved 910,491 vehicles in mainland China
and Hong Kong, up 28 percent.
Toyota Motor (7203.T: Quote, Profile, Research), a relative latecomer to China, sold
499,000 vehicles last year, up 62 percent from a year earlier,
powered by brisk demand for its Camry sedans, the best-selling
car in the United States in eight of the past nine years.
BMW has teamed up with Brilliance China Automotive Holdings
Ltd. (1114.HK: Quote, Profile, Research)CBA.N to make BMW 3 Series and 5 Series in a
venture in the northern city of Shenyang, with an annual capacity
of 30,000 units. Continued…
