The BMW Group increased its revenue by 5% to €48,999 million (£32,308m) in 2006 compared to €47,767m (£31,496m) in 2005.

The total number of BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brand vehicles delivered to customers increased by 3.5% to 1,373,970 units (2005: 1,327,992 units).

"2006 has been the best financial year in the company's history. We have reinforced our position as the world's leading premium manufacturer by posting a new record sales volume figure", said Norbert Reithofer, chairman of BMW's board of management in Munich on Friday.

Despite the positive performance, the group is still maintaining its earnings target for the financial year 2006.

"We remain confident that we will be able to post record pre-tax earnings of €4 billion (£2.64bn) for 2006," said Reithofer.

The BMW Group will publish its earnings figures, as usual, in March.

Thegroup plans to achieve further growth on the back of its strong brands and product portfolios and to sell more than 1.4 million cars in the current year.

"The BMW Group is heading towards a new sales volume record in 2007. We want to maintain our position in the current year as the number one manufacturer in the premium segment. All three brands should achieve new sales volume records," added Reithofer.”

  • Click on the next page to view a brand by brand break down of BMW Group sales in 2006. #AM_ART_SPLIT# BMW sales

    The number of BMW brand cars sold increased by 5.2% to 1,185,088 units (2005: 1,126,768) units. The BMW 3-series was again, BMW's best-selling model series during the past year. Overall, the sales volume of this model series climbed by 17.1% to 508,479 units (2005: 434,342 units). The 3-series accounted for 43% of all BMW brand vehicles sold in 2006. The 5-series took second place with 232,193 units sold (2005: 228,389 units /+1.7%). The 1-series, which will be launching a three-door version within the compact class at the end of May, came in third place with 151,918 units sold (2005: 149,493 units /+1.6%). This was followed by the BMW X3 with 114,000 units sold (2005: 110,719 units /+3.0%).

    The sales volume of the BMW X5 fell by 25.8% to 75,321 units (2005: 101,537 units).

    The 7-series reinforced its strong position in the luxury class, registering a sales volume of 50,227 units (2005: 50,062 units /+0.3%). With 30,981 units sold (2005: 28,808 units), the Z4 was 7.5% ahead of the level achieved one year earlier. 21,947 units of the BMW 6-series were delivered to customers (2005: 23,340 units/-6.0%).

    Mini sales

    Mini sales volume decreased by 6.2% to 188,077 units (2005: 200,428 units) due to restricted availability and production capacity extension at the brand’s Oxford factory.

    Rolls-Royce sales Rolls-Royce Motor Cars recorded a small increase in sales volume, with 805 Phantom sold in 2006 (2005: 796 units /+1.1%).