BMW 2003 Annual Report Download - page 17

001 BMW Group in figures
004 Report of the Supervisory Board
008 Supervisory Board
011 Board of Management
012 Group Management Report
12 A Review of the Financial Year
29 Outlook
30 Financial Analysis
44 Risk Management
047 BMW Stock
050 Corporate Governance
054 Group Financial Statements
118 BMW AG Principal Subsidiaries
120 BMW Group10-year Comparison
122 BMW Group Locations
124 Glossary, Index
16
Diesel technology is already making an impor-
tant contribution as far as economic usage of
resources and the reduction of CO2emissions is
concerned. On a worldwide basis, 29% of all BMW
cars delivered in 2003 are powered by diesel en-
gines. The diesel engine is particularly popular in
Western Europe, where more than half of all new
BMW cars sold are diesels.
In order to comply with EU4 legislation, the
BMW Group is committed to further technical im-
provements and the introduction of diesel particle
filters in spring 2004.
MINI surpasses expectations
The success of the MINI brand continued in 2003
and contributed substantially to the sales volume
growth of the BMW Group. With a total of 176,465
MINI brand cars sold, unit sales were almost a quar-
ter higher (+22.4%) than in the previous year. The
success of the MINI brand shows that, even in the
small car sector, customers are interested in high-
value vehicles. Premium is therefore not a question
of size but one of the product’s underlying sub-
stance.
The MINI Cooper leads the model sales mix,
and accounts for approximately 50% of all MINI
vehicles sold. This is followed by the MINI Cooper S
with more than 25%, the MINI One with 20% and
the new MINI One D launched in 2003 which took a
5% share.
The sales volume of the MINI Cooper climbed
by 9.0% to 87,378 units. The most powerful model,
the MINI Cooper S, achieved a sales volume of
44,461 units. In its first full year on sale, this represents
an increase of 67.3% compared to the previous year.
35,307 units of the MINI One were sold in 2003.
More than 9,300 units of the MINI One D, the first
diesel-powered MINI ,were sold in the period between
market launch in June 2003 and the year-end.
Bolstered by the introduction of the new MINI
Convertible in summer 2004, the MINI brand will
continue its success story in 2004.
The largest market for MINI brand vehicles re-
mains the United Kingdom, with 41,404 units sold
in 2003, 19.3% more than in the previous year.
Close behind was the USA with 36,010 MINI cars
sold in 2003. Compared to the previous year, this
represents a growth of 46.4%. Germany remains
the third-strongest market for MINI brand vehicles,
with 25,720 units (+11.7%). Strong growth rates
were also recorded in other countries. The number
of MINI brand cars sold increased in Japan to 12,517
units (+29.4%), in France to 10,100 units (+12.1%)
and in Spain to 6,201 units (+23.4%).
Successful start for the Rolls-Royce Phantom
With the Rolls-Royce brand, the BMW Group has
expanded its range of products at the very top end
of the luxury segment. By the end of 2003, 300
Rolls-Royce vehicles had been delivered to cus-
tomers. After the initial start-up phase, production
at the Goodwood plant reached its planned capacity
level within the scheduled time-frame.
With the Rolls-Royce Phantom, the BMW Group
is continuing a tradition, established for more than
one hundred years, at the pinnacle of automobile
construction. From the outset, Rolls-Royce has
stood for advanced and uncompromising technical
solutions and for unparalleled standards in quality,
finishing and choice of materials. With the new
Rolls-Royce Phantom, a car has been created which
satisfies this aspiration in all respects.
Deliveries of BMW diesel automobiles
in 1,000 units
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
99 00 01
135.5
188.5 216.8
02
245.9
03
273.7