BMW sales growth is picking up speed
BOOMING luxury car sales in China enabled BMW to offset a slowdown in demand in Europe as tough economic conditions start to bite.
The German company, which owns the British-made Mini and Rolls-Royce brands, reported turnover up nearly 14 per cent to £15billion in the three months to September, as pre-tax profits rose 17 per cent to £1.6billion.
Total vehicle deliveries in the first nine months of the year were up 8 per cent to 1.3million, as 33 per cent growth in China and 7 per cent growth in the US offset a 0.8 per cent rise in Europe.
Mini sales were up 7 per cent to 223,214 cars
Mini sales were up 7 per cent to 223,214 cars, including strong demand for the Countryman and Coupe models, while Rolls-Royce sales were slightly lower at 2,326, though future sales should be buoyed by its newly launched Phantom Series II.
Chairman Norbert Reithofer said: "Like the rest of the sector, we are now beginning to feel some headwind."