(January 11, 2013) MUNICH — The BMW Group achieved its highest ever sales result in 2012, selling 1,845,186 BMW, MiniI and Rolls-Royce vehicles worldwide. It represents an increase of 10.6% over the previous record year in 2011 when 1,668,982 units were sold.

All three brands posted record sales for the year and the company strengthened its position as the leading provider of premium vehicles worldwide.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.

“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.

“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.”

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.

In the U.S., BMW Group sales climbed by 13.8% to 347,583 units and BMW once again claimed the title of number one premium brand in the U.S.

In December, a total of 152,286 vehicles were delivered worldwide — an increase of 18.8%. One of the front runners 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.

The BMW X1 also continued to report strong gains in 2012 with a total of 147,776 vehicles sold. The BMW 3 Series Sedan claimed the position of segment leader with 294,039 vehicles delivered, an increase of 22.4% over last year's 240,278 sales.

Demand for the BMW X3 remained high with sales climbing 27.1% to 149,853 units. The BMW 5 Series solidified its position as segment leader, with a total of 337,929 vehicles delivered.

Global sales for Mini reached a new milestone by climbing to a record 301,526 vehicles in 2012.

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, the highest annual sales in the 108-year history of Rolls-Royce and the third consecutive record.

In the Americas, the BMW Group achieved double-digit gains in 2012 with 424,379 vehicles delivered, an increase of 11.9% on the previous year.