BMW Group notched up its fifth record year in succession in 2014, achieving new highs in sales, revenues and group earnings.

“Tailwinds caused by high customer demand for our vehicles worldwide are driving up sales volumes. Our Strategy Number ONE, which we regularly refine as we go forward, continues to contribute to our business performance,” said BMW Chairman Norbert Reithofer.

Group revenues grew by 5.7 per cent in 2014 to €80.40 billion ($85.29 billion) from €76.05 billion ($80.68 billion) in 2013. Profit before financial result (EBIT) rose by 14.3 per cent to €9.11 billion ($9.66 billion) from €7.97 billion ($8.46 billion), thanks primarily to sales volume growth and a high-value model mix. 

Group profit before tax (EBT) increased by 10.3 per cent to a new high level of €8.70 billion ($9.23 billion) from €7.89 billion ($9.23 billion) in 2013. Net profit improved by 9.2 per cent to €5.81 billion ($6.16 billion) from €5.32 billion ($5.64 billion), also a new record high for the BMW Group. 

Sales surpassed the two-million mark for the first time in the group’s history, climbing by 7.9 per cent to a total of 2,117,965 units from 1,963,798 units in 2013.


AUTOMOTIVE SEGMENT 

The BMW brand retained its leading position in the premium segment in 2014 by posting a new record sales record. Sales climbed by 9.5 per cent to 1,811,719 units (2013: 1,655,138 units), driven in particular by the excellent performances of the BMW 3, 4 and 5 Series and the BMW X5.

The BMW 2 Series recorded a total sales volume of 41,038 units in 2014. 

Sales of the BMW 3 Series remained at a high level in 2014 with 480,214 units sold (2013: 500,332 units). The Convertible and Coupé models have been incorporated into the BMW 4 Series since the end of 2013, as a result of which, the previous year's total was not quite achieved. 

The BMW 4 Series performed exceedingly well, with sales volume of 119,580 units (2013: 14,763 units). 

The BMW 5 Series also continued its success story, with sales increasing to 373,053 units (2013: 366,992 units; +1.7 per cent). Sales of the highly popular BMW X5 climbed steeply (by 37.4 per cent) to 147,381 units (2013: 107,231 units).

BMW i vehicles recorded total sales of 17,793 units. Worldwide sales of the BMW i3 totalled 16,052 units, a large proportion of which arose during the second half of the year, following the model’s launch in various major markets, including the US. 

The BMW i8 achieved sales of 1,741 units since its launch in summer 2014.

Meanwhile, with sales of 302,183 units, MINI maintained sales at the previous year's high level, despite the changeover of the brand's core model to its third generation (2013: 305,030 units; -0.9 per cent). Sales of the MINI Hatch saw a 9 per cent increase in sales at 140,051 units (2013: 128,498 units). The number of MINI Countryman sold increased by 5 per cent to 106,995 units (2013: 101,897 units).

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars consolidated its position as market leader in the ultra-luxury segment in 2014, surpassing the 4,000-unit sales threshold for the first time. Overall, the number of vehicles sold during the year rose by 11.9 per cent to 4,063 units (2013: 3,630 units), including 1,906 units (2013: 492 units) of the Wraith, launched in autumn 2013.

The four largest sales markets for the BMW Group over the past year were China, the US, Germany and Great Britain.


MOTORCYCLES SEGMENT

Motorcycles segment revenues grew 11.6 per cent year-on year to €1.67 billion ($1.77 billion) from €1.50 billion ($1.59 billion). EBIT jumped by 41.8 per cent to €112 million ($118.2 million) from €79 million ($83.81 million), while profit before tax advanced by 40.8 per cent to €107 million ($113.51 million) from €76 million (80.63 million) in 2013. 


FINANCIAL SERVICES 

The Financial Services segment continued to perform well in 2014. Segment revenues were 3.6 per cent higher at €20.59 billion ($21.84 billion) from €19.87 billion (21.08 billion) in 2013, while profit before tax increased by 6.4 per cent to €1.72 billion ($1.82 billion) from €1.61 billion ($1.71 billion) the previous year.

In view of its attractive model range and the launch of 15 new models or model revisions over the course of 2015, the BMW Group forecasts an increase in sales volume worldwide. "We are targeting further sales volume growth worldwide in the current year and hence a new record level for deliveries," stated Reithofer.

BMW’s board has proposed a dividend of €2.90 ($3.08) per share of common stock.