BMW achieves record UK new car sales

BMW Group achieved record UK new car sales in 2007 with 169,236 BMW and MINI vehicles registered, an increase of 10 per cent over 2006.

The BMW brand accounted for 121,575 sales, an increase of five per cent compared to 2006 and the seventh successive year for record sales. MINI achieved 47,661 registrations, its best annual sales performance since the vehicle’s UK launch in July 2001, representing a 25 per cent increase over 2006.

Combined, the BMW and MINI brands accounted for seven per cent of the total UK market in 2007 (BMW five per cent and MINI two per cent) bolstered by the introduction of a record 99 new derivatives last year.

Jim O’Donnell, Managing Director BMW (UK) Ltd, commented: “2007 proved to be another extremely successful year for BMW Group in the UK. Although it has been a competitive year, BMW and MINI have yet again achieved record sales. The introduction of a range of cars equipped with EfficientDynamics features helped us to consolidate our position as the leading manufacturer of premium vehicles.”

The sales performance was supported by the launch of EfficientDynamics fuel saving and emissions technologies including Auto Start-Stop, Brake Energy Regeneration and the optimum gear shift indicator. Over 94 per cent of all BMW models sold in the UK at the end of 2007 were equipped with elements of the technology that reduces emissions and fuel consumption yet increases power and performance. All MINI Hatch and Clubman models benefited from these technological revisions with the MINI Cooper D, already BMW Group’s cleanest ever car, capable of returning 72.4mpg and CO2 emissions of just 104g/km.

“EfficientDynamics set BMW and MINI apart from the competition in 2007. And it looks set to widen the gap in 2008. It is the perfect scenario for both private and corporate buyers: cleaner, greener, faster, more dynamic and less expensive to run. In my view no other car company has done more than BMW Group in 2007 to address both environmental issues and consumers’ desire for enjoyable driving. And that progress has been reflected in our record UK sales,” said Tim Abbott, Sales Director, BMW (UK) Ltd.

2007 saw 87 per cent of BMW sales volume in the UK fall below 225g/km and 14 per cent below 140g/km. These emission figures will further improve in 2008 with 95 per cent of BMW UK sales volume set to be less than 225g/km and over 40 per cent less than 140g/km. All MINIs sold in 2008 will fall below the 225g/km level, with 50 per cent below 140g/km.

Significant contributions to BMW brand sales included:

The 3 Series range delivered 58,544 registrations in 2007, an increase of 17 per cent compared to 2006. This was underpinned by the fourth generation M3 Coupé, which went on sale in September, and the 3 Series Coupé, in its first full sales year. The two models combined recorded 14,812 registrations. The new 3 Series Convertible, the first with a retractable hard-top, went on sale in March and achieved 6,749 sales. The 320d SE Saloon proved to be the most popular car in BMW’s model range in 2007.

The second generation BMW X5, which went on sale in April, delivered 7,202 registrations in 2007, an increase of 15 per cent compared to 2006.

The 1 Series range, joined by the new three-door version in May and the Coupé in November, continued to perform strongly. With the introduction of the world’s most powerful four-cylinder diesel engine in the 123d, the extended model range posted a five per cent increase compared to 2006 with 23,190 registrations.

The revised 5 Series Saloon and 5 Series Touring models recorded a combined two per cent increase on the previous year’s sales to deliver a 5 Series sales record in the UK of nearly 20,000 cars.

The new record reflects a successful first full sales year for the second-generation MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper S. Joined by the MINI One and MINI Cooper D in April, total Hatch sales reached 38,053 in 2007, a 32 per cent increase compared to 2006. The MINI Cooper proved again to be MINI’s most popular model with 17,173 sales, 20 per cent higher than last year. The MINI Convertible performed strongly with 7,795 sales and remained the second best-selling convertible in the UK.

Overall MINI sales were bolstered by the arrival of the new MINI Clubman in November. This is the third model in the MINI range, joining the Hatch and Convertible, with nearly 3,000 orders placed for the new car in 2007.

The fast pace of product introductions will continue in 2008 with the launch of the BMW 1 Series Convertible and M3 Saloon in April and the new BMW X6 Sports Activity Coupé in May.

A record year for used car sales…again

The popularity of BMW Approved Used Cars and MINI Cherished vehicle sales was again underlined in 2007. BMW (UK) Ltd achieved record used car sales through its dealer network in 2007. Over 105,000 BMW Approved Used Cars and MINI Cherished vehicle sales were recorded in 2007. This shows an increase of 11.8 per cent compared to last year’s record year.

Sales of BMW Approved Used Cars accounted for 76,500 vehicles in 2007, an increase of over nine per cent compared to 2006.

The top 10 BMW Approved Used Car models through the BMW network were:

Ranking - BMW Model - Volumes sold 2007
1 X5 3.0d Sport - 3100
2 320d SE Saloon - 2482
3 X3 2.0d SE - 1782
4 320d M Sport Saloon - 1321
5 530d M Sport Saloon - 1297
6 116i SE - 1276
7 525d M Sport Saloon - 1024
8 320i SE Saloon - 984
9 118d Sport - 965
10 M3 Coupé – 962

MINI recorded a total of 28,567 Cherished sales, exceeding the previous record of 23,746 in 2006 by 20.3 per cent, and emphasising the increasing demand for its used cars. Andy Hearn, MINI UK’s General Manager, said: “The MINI Cherished programme has helped more UK motorists get behind the wheel of used MINIs than ever before with the assurance that they are buying a MINI in the best possible condition for their driving adventures.”

The Cherished programme offers significant benefits to customers, including a minimum 12 month warranty and emergency service cover, as well as the renowned MINI tlc servicing package. The reassurance provided by MINI’s high residual value is also not to be underestimated. Six years after its launch, the car still tops the residual value charts and makes ownership a sound financial prospect.

This exceptional performance underlines the growing importance of the used car market to BMW UK. In 2007 the total UK volume for used cars was more than three times that of the new car market.

Success at The O2

One of BMW’s other great success stories of 2007 was its co-operation with AEG at The O2 . This groundbreaking music, sports and entertainments facility opened its doors to the public for the very first time on 24 June 2007, in Greenwich, London. It is now regarded as the UK’s number one live venue for the world’s top acts. In 2007, these included Prince, the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Barbara Streisand and Justin Timberlake.

As the automotive founding partner of The O2, BMW has a three year commitment which provides the company with an unprecedented level of product and brand exposure. It has presented a unique opportunity for BMW to widen its target audiences and to showcase its brand and cars. It also has enabled BMW to host events such as the ‘BMW Power at The O2’ in July 2007. This featured the British Grand Prix at Silverstone which was projected live onto The O2’s giant screen. BMW is the title sponsor of the VIP entrance and walkway and features a Welcome feature in the main Entertainment District.

With an anticipated seven million people expected to visit The O2 between 2007 and 2009, at least 150 events per year are planned with a target average audience of 15,000 people. The Tutankhamun exhibition alone is attracting 6,000 visitors a day, whilst the Vue cinema is now London’s second most popular cinema.

And finally, another highlight of the year was Guernsey man Andy Priaulx steering his BMW UK 320si to his third World Touring Car Championship in a row. Good luck to Andy for his fourth!