BMW 2013 Annual Report Download - page 35

35 COMBINED MANAGEMENT REPORT
BMW Motorrad sets new sales volume record
The Motorcycles segment also achieved its best sales
volume of all time in 2013, despite persistently difficult
market conditions. In total, we sold 115,215 BMW motor-
cycles
(2012: 106,358 units; + 8.3 %) worldwide.
Motorcycle sales up in nearly all markets
Motorcycle sales in Europe rose to 68,961 units (+ 4.7 %),
despite the fact that a number of markets suffered
further contraction. Sales volume in Germany also grew
by 4.7 % and reached 21,473 units. Motorcycles busi-
ness in Italy stabilised at 10,230 units (+ 0.3 %). The only
country in the region with lower sales than one year
earlier was France (10,400 units; – 5.0 %). By contrast, at
14,100 units, motorcycle sales in the USA were well
above the previous year’s level (+ 16.5 %).
Model initiative continued
In February, a number of special models (R 1200 R,
R 1200 RT and R 1200 GS Adventure) as well as the new
F 800 GT were launched to mark BMW Motorrad’s
90th anniversary. These launches were followed in
March by the new generation of the R 1200 GS, BMW
Motorrad’s most successful motorcycle to date. The
latest version of the world’s best-selling long-distance
enduro received a number of prestigious awards in
2013. In March, with more than 30 % of the votes, readers
of the magazine “Motorrad” voted the new R 1200 GS
first in the category “Trial / Enduros”. It also won a num-
ber of prestigious design prizes, such as the red dot and
the German Design Award. The bike has been
excep-
tionally well received by customers and enjoyed much
acclaim in the motorcycle press, confirming the fact
that it sets new standards for long-distance enduros.
MOTORCYCLES SEGMENT
The new F 800 GS Adventure has been available since
mid-June. The model revision of the F 800 ST was
also launched in a version suitable for use by public
authorities.
The R nineT, S 1000 R, R 1200 RT, R 1200 GS Adventure,
C evolution, K 1600 GTL Exclusive and F 800 GS
Adventure models were presented at the major autumn
trade fairs and will be launched in the course of 2014.
Motorcycle production slightly reduced
In total, 110,127 BMW motorcycles were manufactured
during the period under report (2012: 113,811; – 3.2 %).
The BMW plant in Berlin spent much of the year pre-
paring for the production start-up of various motorcycle
models, including the fully electrically powered Maxi-
Scooter BMW C evolution and the BMW R nineT, which
is reminiscent of the brand values of 90 years of BMW
Motorrad history.
New strategic direction for motorcycles business
In line with its new strategic direction, the Motorcycles
segment is now fully focused on the BMW Motorrad
brand. Following approval by the Austrian Merger Con-
trol Authorities, Pierer Industrie AG, Austria, took over
Husqvarna Motorcycles on 6 March 2013.
BMW sales volume of motorcycles*
in 1,000 units
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
09 10 11 12 13
87.3 98.0 104.3 106.4 115.2
* Excluding Husqvarna, sales volume up to 2013: 59,776 units.
BMW Group – key motorcycle markets 2013
as a percentage of sales volume
Germany 18.6 Brazil 6.6
USA 12.2 Great Britain 5.5
France 9.0 Spain 4.5
Italy 8.9 Other 34.7
Germany
USA
France
Other
Brazil Italy
Spain
Great Britain