BMW Group concludes year marked by corona pandemic with strong fourth quarter and leads premium segment worldwide for 17th consecutive year

Munich. The BMW Group once again confirmed its position as the world’s leading premium automotive manufacturer last year, with a total of 2,324,809 BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce vehicles (-8.4%) delivered to customers worldwide. 686,069 vehicles were sold at Group level in the fourth quarter, an increase of three percent (+3.2%) year-on-year. Sales of plug-in hybrid vehicles climbed almost 40 percent (38.9%) compared to the previous year, reflecting strong customer interest in this drive train variant.

“We responded to the effects of the corona pandemic with great agility in sales management and production. As a result, we succeeded in concluding the year with a strong fourth quarter and once again we lead the premium segment worldwide," underlined Pieter Nota, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Customer, Brands and Sales. "Thanks to our Efficient Dynamics technologies and the more than 135,000 electrified vehicles we delivered in Europe, we overfulfilled our CO2 fleet targets in the EU and were even able to go below the mandatory limit by a few grams," Nota continued.

Consistent and rapid adaptation of sales channels

Due to the corona pandemic and the desire of customers for the sales process to be as contactless as possible, the BMW Group systematically pushed ahead with digitalization last year: Sales representatives in more than 60 markets are now able to advise customers and sell vehicles regardless of their location. They can configure vehicles together using a shared screen, for instance, or give customers a live demonstration of the cars they have in stock.

In a second step, the company has extensively implemented the sales process online for its retail partners in key markets via its high-traffic websites and will roll out this offering in additional markets in 2021.

Strong performance by models in high-end luxury segment

The BMW brand finished the year with a total of 2,028,659 (-7.2%) vehicles delivered to customers worldwide. A significant contribution was made by the strong performance of the models in the upper luxury segment, which increased by 12.4 percent year-on-year to a total of 115,420 units thanks to the 7 Series, 8 Series and BMW X7. Sales of these highly profitable models have increased by more than 70 percent overall since 2018.

Sales of electrified vehicles up more than 30 percent, demonstrating growth in electromobility

As an e-mobility pioneer, the BMW Group sold a total of 192,646 electrified BMW and MINI vehicles worldwide last year – an increase of a third (+31.8%) over 2019. This means that electromobility is also a significant growth driver for the company in absolute terms. Sales of fully electric vehicles rose by 13 percent, while plug-in hybrid sales climbed by almost 40 percent. In Europe, electrified vehicles already accounted for 15 percent of total sales.

The BMW Group has now increased the number of electrified vehicles (pure electric and plug-in hybrid) in its line-up to 13 models, which are available in 74 markets around the globe. By 2023, the BMW Group plans to almost double its line-up to 25 electrified vehicles, of which more than half will be fully electric. The introduction of the pure-electric MINI* and BMW iX3* last year will be followed in 2021 by the start of production for the fully electric BMW iX in Dingolfing and the BMW i4 in Munich.

BMW M GmbH defies current challenges to report most successful year in its almost 50-year history

With sales growth of six percent (144,218 vehicles delivered), BMW M GmbH once again closes the past year as the most successful in its history. Especially the high-performance models in the X series including the new X6 M50i* contributed to BMW M's sales success. Last year, both the new BMW M3 and the BMW M4 celebrated their world premieres and both models will be launched in the first quarter of this year.

MINI ELECTRIC and John Cooper Works models especially in high demand

In a challenging year and an extremely competitive segment, MINI brand sales reached 292,394 units (-15.8%) in 2020. The fully electric MINI ELECTRIC*, with 17,580 vehicles sold, and the John Cooper Works models, with a total of 20,565 units (+20.8%) sold, were particularly popular with customers.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars: remarkable performance in an extraordinary year

In 2020, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars sold a total of 3,756 motor cars (-26.4%). This result was achieved despite the absence of the marque’s best-selling model, Ghost, from the market, in anticipation of the introduction of a new model which arrived at the end of the year. Customer demand remained strong across all models, with Bespoke commissions at record levels. The highlight of the year was the launch of new Ghost, to universal acclaim from customers, the media and the wider public alike. Orders for the new model have resulted in a strong order book, filled well into the second half of 2021. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars continues to strive for long-term sustainable growth.

BMW Motorrad posts second-best sales figures in its history

Despite the challenges resulting from the pandemic, BMW Motorrad was able to deliver 169,272 motorcycles and scooters to customers in 2020 and achieved the second-best sales figures in its history. This achievement underpins BMW Motorrad’s successful growth strategy. Guarantor for the positive result was the market launch of thirteen new models as well as the strong BMW Motorrad product portfolio.

BMW & MINI sales in the regions/markets

BMW Group sales in China were seven percent (7.4%) higher than the previous year, with a total of 777,379 BMW and MINI vehicles delivered to customers. This is the BMW Group’s best-ever annual sales result in China since entering the market in 1994. The company’s fifth-largest market, South Korea, reported a significant sales increase of a third (+30.5%), compared to the previous year, with 69,872 units sold.

The BMW Group sold a total of 306,870 units (-18.0%) in the US last year. In a challenging environment dominated by the coronavirus pandemic, the recovery in consumer demand, combined with close and efficient cooperation with dealers, delivered a strong fourth quarter.

In Europe, in an extraordinary year marked by retail restrictions, total BMW and MINI sales were nearly sixteen per cent (912,621 units) below the previous year. In its home market of Germany, the BMW Group recorded a decline of 13.3% (287,143 units).

Good job BMW!

US 2020 Sales (year over year percentage)

1. BMW 278,732 (-17.5%)
2. Lexus 275,041 (-7.7%)
3. Mercedes 274,916 (-13%)
4. Audi 186,620 (-17%)

Can you find the stats for each individual model somewhere?

Just goes to show we "enthusiasts" don't know a thing besides missing old BMWs of the past, me included. Keep selling all those models that get hated on here and continue breaking records, I guess.

BMW Group sales in China were seven percent (7.4%) higher than the previous year, with a total of 777,379 BMW and MINI vehicles delivered to customers.

The BMW Group sold a total of 306,870 units (-18.0%) in the US last year.

This is why I wonder if some of the new design ideas that Americans don't like are all that important. China bought 2 1/2 times as many vehicles as the U.S. so I would expect their opinion carries a lot more weight (money talks). There is likely far more growth potential there than N. America and Europe.

David70 wrote

BMW Group sales in China were seven percent (7.4%) higher than the previous year, with a total of 777,379 BMW and MINI vehicles delivered to customers.

The BMW Group sold a total of 306,870 units (-18.0%) in the US last year.

This is why I wonder if some of the new design ideas that Americans don't like are all that important. China bought 2 1/2 times as many vehicles as the U.S. so I would expect their opinion carries a lot more weight (money talks). There is likely far more growth potential there than N. America and Europe.

I don't think there's any doubt this is the case but those who don't agree just wish that there was some sort of compromise in design - yes you can cater to China but at least retain some elements and not do a complete 180 in design.

its been steady on our end which has been nice.

Especially the high-performance models in the X series including the new X6 M50i* contributed to BMW M's sales success.

I cannot believe how many X4/X6s I see... Similar story for "coupe" SUVs from other brands.

JamesGames wrote

Just goes to show we "enthusiasts" don't know a thing besides missing old BMWs of the past, me included. Keep selling all those models that get hated on here and continue breaking records, I guess.

It's all about bread and butter CUV, SUV, sedans, etc to non-enthusiasts. Unfortunately catering to enthusiasts in this day and age is a surefire way to go bankrupt. I'm just happy that there are still plenty of enthusiast vehicles available today given few of them sell in noteworthy volumes unless.

M division had another great year.
Of course, M2 and M340i might be the best sold products 🙄

JamesGames wrote

Just goes to show we "enthusiasts" don't know a thing besides missing old BMWs of the past, me included. Keep selling all those models that get hated on here and continue breaking records, I guess.

Basically was going to post the same. The sales validate the decision to cater to the masses.

Best to just accept the reality and buy an M2

Al Bundy's Dodge wrote

Basically was going to post the same. The sales validate the decision to cater to the masses.

Best to just accept the reality and buy an M2

It also seems like a reoccurring theme. The past few years on bimmerpost alone i've read multiple posted front page news here regarding record bmw sales or more BMWs being sold. In the last few years they also...

1) Introduced a Corolla like FWD bmw
2) Took away DCT
3) Perpetuated AWD systems
4) Increased front weight distribution
5) Increased overall weight of all models
6) And just started ridding the old design elements of the past.

Everyone is b1tching and moaning about BMW's direction (including me I am guilty) yet BMW just ignores us minions who buy less than 1% of their cars and continues selling M badges left and right, M235i Grancoupe and other FWD chassis cars to make us more salty while their pockets get bigger. ALSO the X1 / X3 / X5 wasn't enough SUVs - we need X2 X4 X6 X7 now. Supply and demand 101.

No one to blame but humans.

J-RO wrote

Can you find the stats for each individual model somewhere?

It was posted a few days ago. Check the home page.

edit:

https://g80.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1788915

Game wrote

It was posted a few days ago. Check the home page.

edit:

https://g80.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1788915

Thank you.

Game wrote

It was posted a few days ago. Check the home page.

edit:

https://g80.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1788915

Those are US numbers whereas this thread covers global sales.

So yes, that's good info but will not be directly relatable to the numbers in the OP (other than the one specifically calling out the US market).

TheBingoBalls wrote

I don't think there's any doubt this is the case but those who don't agree just wish that there was some sort of compromise in design - yes you can cater to China but at least retain some elements and not do a complete 180 in design.

So you’re saying the new grille design caters to Chinese first and foremost?

heavyD^2 wrote

It's all about bread and butter CUV, SUV, sedans, etc to non-enthusiasts. Unfortunately catering to enthusiasts in this day and age is a surefire way to go bankrupt. I'm just happy that there are still plenty of enthusiast vehicles available today given few of them sell in noteworthy volumes unless.

Love me some X SAV 😍

I’d really like to know the total number of M each year split from the M-lites.

I think I recall saying this a year or two ago as well actually

AlexFL wrote

So you’re saying the new grille design caters to Chinese first and foremost?

I'm not saying that, everyone else seems to be saying that. While there is likely some influence, I personally don't think it was done to completely cater to China.

JamesGames wrote

It also seems like a reoccurring theme. The past few years on bimmerpost alone i've read multiple posted front page news here regarding record bmw sales or more BMWs being sold. In the last few years they also...

1) Introduced a Corolla like FWD bmw
2) Took away DCT
3) Perpetuated AWD systems
4) Increased front weight distribution
5) Increased overall weight of all models
6) And just started ridding the old design elements of the past.

Everyone is b1tching and moaning about BMW's direction (including me I am guilty) yet BMW just ignores us minions who buy less than 1% of their cars and continues selling M badges left and right, M235i Grancoupe and other FWD chassis cars to make us more salty while their pockets get bigger. ALSO the X1 / X3 / X5 wasn't enough SUVs - we need X2 X4 X6 X7 now. Supply and demand 101.

No one to blame but humans.

Agreed on most of that! Any car company that caters most or all of its cars to the desires of typical forum members will go bankrupt very, very quickly. A lot of people here don't seem to realize that they are in the minority (by a large margin), buying used cars won't influence a manufacturer's decisions (unlike buying new cars), and making (x) car a certain way for the US market or in very low production numbers for "enthusiasts" costs an absolute f*ck ton of money. That's why the M3 wagon isn't coming...there's no 3 wagon because it would cost a lot to homologate for US specs and the return would be so low, so bringing an M3 would cost even more and have even less return.

Regarding your list, just comments, not giving you crap or anything...
2) In the real world, why is this bad? Genuinely wondering. DCTs are heavier, bulkier, more difficult to adapt to AWD if it isn't designed for it from the get-go, more likely to drive less smoothly, and less efficient. For 99% of buyers, it's just worse.
3) Perpetuated AWD? They've had AWD on the majority of the lineup for much longer than the last few years.
5) So have MB and Audi, and many other manufacturers. Customers demand larger vehicles, more tech, and more safety. More people are buying SUVs, which means accidents are more likely to happen involving an SUV. This leads to bulking up everything, especially cars, to make them safer in the event of an impact with an SUV. As you mentioned: supply and demand.

Regardless of whether we agree with BMW's direction or like or dislike their cars, we all have to acknowledge that BMW is a for-profit business, just like every other car manufacturer out there. They are also a publicly traded company, so they not only have customers to cater to, but they have to keep their stock holders happy.