BMW Group Canada retains premium segment leadership in 2012.

Close of 2012 marks 22^nd consecutive year of growth for the Group in Canada.

RICHMOND HILL, ON, Jan. 3, 2013 /CNW/ - BMW Group Canada (BMW and MINI brands combined) reported total year sales of 37,707 units in 2012, an increase of 8.0 per cent compared to 2011 and marking the Group's best year ever.  For the month of December, BMW Group Canada sold 2,725 units, an increase of 2.2 per cent compared to December, 2011 and the Group's best December ever. The closing of 2012 marks the 22^nd consecutive year of growth for the BMW Group in Canada.

BMW.
The BMW brand reported sales of 31,402 units in 2012, an increase of 5.4 per cent over last year.  This makes 2012 the BMW brand's best year ever.  For the month, the BMW brand sold 2,258 units, an increase of 1.9 per cent compared to December 2011, and also the brand's best-ever December.  Contributing to BMW's success in 2012 was its flagship sedan, the BMW 7 Series, whose performance was segment-leading for the year, up 42 per cent from 2011.

MINI.
MINI retailed a total 6,305 units in 2012, up 22.3 per cent over last year.  With these results, the brand closed its 10 year anniversary in Canada by recording its best year ever.  In December, MINI reported 467 units sold, an increase of 3.3 per cent compared to December, 2011. These results make December 2012 MINI Canada's best-ever December.

Motorrad.
BMW Motorrad Canada reported year-to-date sales of 1,705 motorcycles, representing an increase of 4.9 per cent over 2011 annual sales results.  On the month, BMW Motorrad reported 29 retails, an increase of 866.7 per cent compared to December, 2011.

BMW Group in Canada
BMW Group Canada, based in Richmond Hill, Ontario, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BMW AG and is responsible for the distribution of BMW luxury performance automobiles, Sports Activity Vehicles, Motorcycles, and MINI.  BMW Group Financial Services Canada is a division of BMW Group Canada and offers retail financing and leasing programs and protection products on new and pre-owned BMW and MINI automobiles, as well as retail financing for new and pre-owned BMW Motorcycles. A total network of 44 BMW automobile retail centres, 20 BMW motorcycle retailers, and 29 MINI retailers represents the BMW Group across the country.

SOURCE: BMW Canada Inc.

For further information:

Barb Pitblado, Director, Corporate Communications
BMW Group Canada
905-428-5005 / [e-mail]

Rob Dexter, Product and Technology Specialist
BMW Group Canada
905-428-5447 / [e-mail]