Sales increase by 8.1% to 900,539 vehicles in the first six months. Robertson: We have a new sales record for 2012 well in sight

Munich. BMW Group achieved record sales for the first six months of the year, with a total of 900,539 vehicles delivered worldwide, an increase of 8.1% over the same period last year (prev. yr. 833,391). The company also achieved its second highest sales volume ever in a single month, with 172,516 BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brand vehicles delivered worldwide in June (prev. yr. 165,868/ +4.0%).

Ian Robertson, Member of the Board of Management, Sales and Marketing BMW, said in Munich on Friday: “We are very pleased with the positive result for the first half year. The BMW Group achieved record sales again in June and for the first six months of the year and we have an overall record for 2012 well in our sight. There will be additional new models arriving in the coming months, which are expected to bring further momentum in the second half of the year. As the world’s highest-selling premium car company, it is important to us to continue to maintain a good balance between Europe, Asia and the Americas and to continue making gains on all continents, in large and small markets.”

The BMW Group made gains on all continents in the month under review. In Europe, sales increased by 1.5% to 92,686 vehicles (prev. yr. 91,356). Year-to-date, BMW Group sales remain at last year’s level with 437,066 vehicles delivered to customers in Europe (prev. yr. 437,399/ -0.1%). The BMW 3 Series Touring, which accounts for two thirds of BMW 3 Series registrations in the German home market, is expected to bring further momentum to European markets with its launch in September.

In Asia, the BMW Group delivered 237,875 vehicles in the first six months of 2012 and reported a growth of 25.7% compared to the same period in 2011 (prev. yr. 189,254). In the month under review, 38,352 vehicles were delivered (prev. yr. 34,836 / +10.1%). Several Asian markets saw strong double digit growth in the first half year including smaller markets such as Indonesia (1,061/ +48.0%), and larger markets such as Japan (27,698/ +27.4%) and China. Mainland China accounted for 23,930 deliveries in June, an increase of 13.1% over the same month last year (prev. yr. 21,158). Due to a model changeover, some models were not available in the month under review. Year-to-date, 158,956 BMW and MINI vehicles have been sold in Mainland China (prev. yr. 121,614) which reflects an increase of 30.7%. The uptake of the new BMW 3 Series Long Wheelbase, available as of mid-July, is expected to provide for further robust growth in China in the second half of the year.

America saw a slight increase in growth with 35,116 vehicles delivered in June (prev. yr. 34,414 / +2.0%). In the first six months, 194,620 vehicles have been delivered to customers in America, which reflects an increase of +8.8% on the previous year (178,901).

In the U.S., 27,720 vehicles were delivered last month, an increase of +3.2% on the same month last year (prev. yr. 26,865). Year-to-date, the BMW Group is up 10.5% on sales of 158,563 in the first six months of 2012 compared to 143,521 in the same period in 2011. The arrival of the new BMW 3 Series with xDrive, as well as the BMW X1 in September is expected to give BMW sales in the US a strong boost in the second half of the year.

BMW: Worldwide sales of BMW brand vehicles climbed to 139,869 units (prev. yr. 134,444 / +4.0%) in the month under review. A total of 747,064 BMW brand vehicles (prev. yr. 689,884) have been delivered to customers worldwide since the start of the year – an increase of +8.3%. The BMW 1 Series 5-door Hatch was one of the brand’s growth drivers in the first half year with close to 90,000 units sold, an increase of 51.0% over the same period last year (89,490/ prev. yr. 59,249) The 3-door version of the BMW 1 Series Hatch will be available as of September. The BMW 3 Series Sedan reported healthy gains in the first six months with a total of 135,976 vehicles delivered to customers, an increase of 15.4% compared to last year (prev. yr. 117,802). Demand for the BMW X3 remained strong, with sales climbing 38.4% to 74,098 vehicles in the first half year (prev. yr. 53,520).

The BMW 6 Series has also had an excellent customer response with over 10,000 vehicles sold in the first six months, an increase of 222.0% over the same period last year (10,346/ prev. yr. 3,213). Revised editions of the flagship BMW 7 Series and BMW X1 will be launching in many markets across the globe in July and are expected to provide further momentum for BMW brand sales.

MINI: Worldwide sales for MINI climbed 3.9% to 32,337 vehicles in the month under review (prev. yr 31,112). Year-to-date, MINI sales are up +7.0% to 151,875 units compared to 141,915 in the first six months of 2011. Demand for the MINI Countryman remained strong with close to 50,000 cars delivered to customers in the first half year, an increase of +23.4% compared to the same period in 2011 (49,588/ prev. yr. 40,174). MINI saw robust growth in several Asian markets in the first half year, including Mainland China with 11,356 cars (prev. yr. 8,445/ +34.5%) and Japan with 8,332 cars (prev. yr. 6,312/ +32%). In the U.S., MINI experienced solid growth with sales up 7.5% on volume of 32,059 compared to 29,816 in the first six months of 2011.

ROLLS-ROYCE: Rolls-Royce continued the sustainable growth that was forecast at the beginning of 2012. At half-year, the manufacturer of super-luxury motor cars reported sales of 1,600 motor cars worldwide, which is slightly above the same period in 2011 (prev. yr.: 1,592). Rolls-Royce looks forward to another record year, with production of Phantom Series II starting in September and delivery to worldwide markets following shortly after.

Motorcycles: In the first six months of 2012, BMW Motorrad sold 59,189 vehicles, which was slightly below the same period last year (prev. yr. 60,580/ -2.3%. In the month of June, 10,271 vehicles were sold (prev. yr. 11,831/ -13.2%). BMW Motorrad is expecting stronger growth in the second half of 2012 and aims to achieve an overall sales record for the whole year. Husqvarna Motorcycles recorded a rise in deliveries for the sixth month in a row. Year-to-date, Husqvarna delivered 5,235 motorcycles (prev. yr. 3,530 units), an increase of +48.3%. In June, 815 vehicles (prev. yr. 450 units) were delivered to the Husqvarna dealership network, +81.1 % more than in the same month of the previous year.

Autocar UK is out of the gates with a short driving review of the new MINI Coupe JCW.

The review itself is a mixed bag with compliments given for the car’s steering and body rigidity as well as the unique interior and exterior elements. The mixed bag part comes in the fact that Autocar wasn’t a fan of the suspension as it was deemed to harsh.

As MINI INSPIRED BY GOODWOOD makes its European debut this weekend at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, MINI announces UK pricing for the stunning car which blends Rolls Royce luxury with the unmistakble MINI driving experience.

From 30th June 2011 customers will be able to place their order for one of just 1,000 MINI INSPIRED BY GOODWOOD models priced at £41,000. The first of these unique cars will be delivered in March 2012.

MINI INSPIRED BY GOODWOOD is the result of an exceptional collaboration between MINI and the Rolls Royce Motors Cars design team. The special edition MINI features top-grade materials and the highest level of workmanship.

The exterior and interior design features, were conceived at the Rolls-Royce Design division in the Sussex town of Goodwood and provide the car with a luxurious charisma and an incomparably high-quality ambience.

Inside the MINI INSPIRED BY GOODWOOD, specially selected materials and precise craftsmanship guarantee the highest degree of comfort. The dashboard, central console, air vents, carpets, heated lounge leather seats, roof lining, doors and interior cladding all boast the exclusive Rolls-Royce colour Cornsilk. The dashboard and doorhandle surfaces, which are manufactured in Goodwood are finished in Walnut Burr, a premium wood trim exclusive to Rolls-Royce. The MINI INSPIRED BY GOODWOOD also features cashmere roof linings, sun visors and rear storage tray as well as deep-pile lambswool foot mats – a quality also featured in current Rolls-Royce models.

The most striking features of the exterior design are the body finish in the exclusive Rolls-Royce colour Diamond Black metallic and 17-inch light alloy wheels sporting a multi-spoke design.

The MINI INSPIRED BY GOODWOOD is powered by a l.6-litre 135 kW/184 bhp four-cylinder engine with Twin Scroll turbocharger, direct petrol injection and variable valve control. The power unit, which is featured in the new MINI Cooper S – it is the most efficient engine in its displacement class.

The MINI INSPIRED BY GOODWOOD’s range of high-quality equipment offered as standard also includes Xenon Adaptive Headlights, Park Distance Control, automatic air conditioning, an onboard computer, MINI Navigation and the audio system Radio MINI Visual Boost, which includes the Harman Kardon hi-fi speaker system. The car also comes with MINI’s 5 year servicing package; MINI TLC.

Customers can find out more about the MINI INSPIRED BY GOODWOOD at www.mini.co.uk and can place an order at their local MINI dealership.

More MINI Coupe news this AM, with the release of the first video of the car. A fresh new perspective is now available by seeing the car in motion. What do you think?

MINI gives the small car segment another fascinating injection of variety with the presentation of the first two-seater in the brand’s current model range. The MINI Coupé represents the faithful transposition of the brand’s sporting DNA into a cutting-edge vehicle concept with a new interpretation of the super-compact sports car class; unrivalled handling agility and the best performance figures in the model portfolio.

Last week, MINI gave everyone a preview of the new Coupe with only light camoflage, but now, some intreprid photogs have caught the new coupe in the flesh, out of the factory and with no masking what-so-ever.

Everything here is as expected, which is a good thing. It means MINI stuck close to the script which was written back when the original concept first came out.

These two photos from CAR Magazine, show the sporty MINI with production paint and the typical MINI stripes, these extra features really let the car go that extra mile. In the first photo you can also make out the retractable spoiler, which is nicely integrated onto the production vehicle.

Expect the MINI Coupe in or around October 2011!

Source: CAR Magazine

Last week, BMW made the announcement that £500 million would be directed towards it’s MINI brand plant in Oxford. Such a large investment would guarantee MINI’s homebase would stay planted in the UK.

MINI currently operates an assembly plant in Oxford, a pressing factory in Swindon and engine factors at Hams Hall.

The purpose of such a large investment is of course the next generation line of MINI vehicles. MINI has become a jewel in BMW’s portfolio, helping the company weather the recent financial storm. So its no surprise that BMW continue to invest large capital into the brand to keep it as vibrant as ever.

The next generation of MINI vehicles is going to begin trickling in starting at the later part of this year. The first on the blocks is the all new MINI Coupe and Roadster. Later, the UKL chassis MINI Cooper will arrive, with rumors of a production approval of the Rocketman, that MINI may also follow suit. However, in an interview with WhatCar? magazine, BMW Chairman Norbert Reithoffer, revealed that he envisages a 10-model MINI lineup!

What could the models be? Lets consider the line-up as it looks now:
1) MINI Cooper
2) MINI Cooper Convertible
3) MINI Clubman
4) MINI Countryman

And then we can consider cars that are coming in the very near future

5) MINI Coupe
6) MINI Roadster

And now lets consider rumored or concept cars

7) MINI Paceman (2-door countryman)
8) MINI Rocketman

That gets us to 8 vehicles. Assuming the JCW variants don’t count, then that leaves two more vehicles that MINI may have up its sleeves in the workshops…

MINI is expanding its product family with the launch of a model geared squarely to maximising driving fun.

The MINI Coupé indulges the keen driver with a level of agility unmatched in the small car segment, along with a unique body and interior concept and the brand’s customary commitment to premium levels of quality and equipment. The first two-seater in its line-up sees MINI not only breathe new life into its successful racing history but also provide a shot in the arm for the super-compact sports car class. The selection of engines, chassis set-up, weight distribution and aerodynamic properties of the MINI Coupé are all focused on delivering optimum performance. As a result, the new car radiates the brand’s hallmark go-kart feeling with a whole new depth of intensity and achieves the best performance statistics ever recorded by a volume-produced MINI.

The latest generation of four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines.
The MINI Coupé can be ordered with the most powerful petrol and diesel engines in the brand’s arsenal. Outputs range from the 90 kW/122 hp of the MINI Cooper Coupé, to the MINI Cooper SD Coupé (105 kW/143 hp) and MINI Cooper S Coupé (135 kW/184 hp), all the way up to the MINI John Cooper Works Coupé, a thoroughbred athlete producing 155 kW/211 hp.

The ultimate in go-kart feeling.
A level of chassis quality unmatched in the small car segment gives the new MINI model the handling flair you would expect from the brand. The precise Electric Power Steering, the standard-fitted DSC stability control system, powerful brakes and measures designed specifically to optimise torsional rigidity ensure the MINI Coupé driver can enjoy the ultimate in go-kart feeling.

Distinctive roof form, optimised aerodynamics, impressive storage space.
Its flat silhouette and innovative “helmet roof” lend the MINI Coupé a sporty and individual allure. In addition to the integral roof spoiler, an active rear spoiler optimises airflow at higher speeds. Helped by its extremely high-opening tailgate and large luggage area with through-loading facility, the MINI Coupé displays outstanding versatility in day-to-day driving, when transporting leisure items or sports gear, and on trips out with a lucky partner.

The next generation MINI is slated to arrive for 2013 and these are the first photos of the new model, out and about undergoing initial public road testing.

The new MINI is being co-developed with parent company BMW, under the new chassis code F56 (moving away from the ‘R’ chassis which may be sold to SAAB). The F56 is part of BMW’s broader platform sharing strategy that sees this new MINI on the same FWD platform as certain BMW 1-Series variants and a rumored BMW Z2 roadster.

The platform itself is labelled as ‘UKL’. But don’t let the idea of platform sharing fool you, this is being done to shave off costs in tight economic conditions, not to make the MINI more BMW like, or vice-versa. What these spyphotos show is that the upcoming F56 will indeed still be a MINI with the traditional overall shape, but a slightly more raked roofline and muscular looking front end.

One shot gives a nice view of the dash from an angle, and what you see is a very traditional looking dashboard, this seems totally out of line for a MINI. Again, don’t be scared. This is a BMW dash fit for testing purposes, in fact you can compare this to the identical dash seen in a next generation 1-series test mule). I don’t think MINI would ever forgo the center mount dash dials!

Nothing else is really known about the final look of the car, or the technical details of it, however all of BMW’s newest platforms have come in lighter then their predecessors, so I would actually expect this new Cooper to be lighter then the current model. BMW has also been rumored to be developing a range of turbo powered 3-cylinder motors, which would seem to be the ideal fit for this car, if true, expect a nice power bump as well as the lighter weight.

[Source: MotorAuthority]

Dean and Dan Caten, better known as the Canadian designer duo DSQUARED², unveil their exclusive Life Ball MINI 2011 in Vienna on May 21st. The twin brothers refashioned their MINI Cooper S to ensure that it would be armed for adventures of all kinds. Among its striking features are the front guard, rally headlamps, tinted side windows with grilles and the spare tyre on the tailgate. But that’s not all: the vehicle’s raised chassis and deep-tread all-terrain tyres instantly evoke a sense of adventure. When it came to the interior, our two designers similarly scrutinised every detail. If road signs are unclear, there’s a compass to help you head in the right direction, while floormats made of structured aluminium sheeting protect the inside from dirt. The trademark DSQUARED2 maple leaf on the leather head restraints and the side doors rounds off the cabin of this robust MINI with a stylish flour. Dean and Dan are delighted with the result: “Our MINI ‘Red Mudder’ is 100 per cent DSQUARED².” On Saturday evening this one-off was gliding along the red carpet at the legendary Life Ball.