March was the best-ever single month in the BMW Group’s history, with a total of 263,319 BMW, Mini and Rolls-Royce vehicles delivered to customers — an increase of 2.8% on March 2018.
In the first quarter of the year, the company maintained sales at last year’s high level, with a total of 605,333 vehicles sold (0.1% up from Q1 2018).
BMW AG board member Pieter Nota said: “The year is progressing as we expected, given the on-going model changeover of the BMW 3 Series sedan and headwinds in markets world-wide. We successfully grew sales in several significant markets, including China and the USA, beating the market trend.
“In the USA, BMW was the biggest-selling premium brand in the first quarter of the year.
“The seventh-generation BMW 3 Series achieved a strong start in March, and the global roll-out will continue in the coming months.
“It’s just one of many exciting new models that will support us as we focus on achieving sustainable profitable growth in a highly competitive environment.”
Sales of BMW-brand vehicles increased by 3.7% in March, with a total of 221,631 delivered to customers world-wide.
As availability of the new BMW 3 Series sedan ramps up, sales of the company’s best-ever selling car increased by 10.8% in March, with a total of 30,204 sold around the world.
Growth was also driven by the BMW X family of vehicles, with customer demand increasing month by month — the X2, X3 and X4 are especially strong performers, with double-digit increases in deliveries.
Mini brand sales were slightly lower in March than in March 2018, with 41,175 (-2.3%) delivered. The Shanghai Auto Show saw the world premiere of the updated Mini Clubman, and preparations continue for the launch of the fully electric Mini later this year.
Meanwhile at Rolls-Royce, after 2018 set a new record in the marque’s 115-year history, sales growth continued into the first quarter of 2019, with 1,206 (+49.4%) Rolls-Royce motor cars delivered to customers around the globe.
Exceptional customer demand for the Cullinan SUV has resulted in a strong order book, filled well into the fourth quarter of this year.