Despite the economic challenges prompting many to reevaluate their spending, BMW Group has defied the odds, reporting its most successful annual sales to date. The German automaker recently announced a remarkable accomplishment, posting a 6.5 percent increase in sales for 2023 compared to the previous year, selling a total of 2,555,341 BMW, Mini, and Rolls-Royce vehicles. Remarkably, December figures surged even further, surpassing the same period in the previous year by more than 10 percent.
One standout achievement is the substantial growth in electric vehicle (EV) sales, showcasing BMW's commitment to sustainability. EVs accounted for 367,183 of the total vehicles sold in 2023, marking a staggering 74.4 percent increase from 2022. This accomplishment allowed BMW to meet its goal of having EVs constitute 15 percent of its overall sales.
Breaking down the numbers for individual brands within the BMW Group, the flagship BMW brand delivered 2,253,835 cars in 2023, registering a notable 7.3 percent increase. Notably, the brand witnessed a surge of 92.2 percent in EV sales, with 330,596 electric vehicles finding new owners. It's important to note that this growth occurred despite the absence of the i5 and iX2 for the entire year, and the forthcoming launch of the i5 Touring.
BMW M, the high-performance division, experienced a stellar year with 202,530 cars sold, marking a 14.3 percent improvement from 2022. Rolls-Royce also celebrated a record-breaking year, delivering 6,032 cars, with the new Spectre model contributing to this success in the fourth quarter. The BMW Motorrad motorcycle department set its own record, selling 209,257 bikes, marking a 3.1 percent increase. However, the Mini brand witnessed more modest growth, with overall sales climbing only 0.9 percent to 295,474 units, although EV sales did experience a 3.5 percent increase to 45,261 units.
Geographically, BMW's sales saw growth across regions, with Asia leading the pack, accounting for 1.07 million total sales. Europe followed closely with 942,805 units, while America contributed 395,741 units. Although growth in Asia was slower compared to the U.S., the region maintained its position as the primary market for BMW.
The BMW Group achieved record sales in 2023, with deliveries up 7.5% year-on-year to 2,399,550 units. The growth was driven by strong demand in all regions, with Europe up 7.5%, Asia up 4.1%, and the Americas up 9.3%. China remained the Group's largest market, with sales up 4.2% to 824,932 units. The BMW brand was the main driver of growth, with sales up 8.4% to 2,090,723 units. The MINI brand also performed well, with sales up 2.3% to 302,106 units. The BMW Motorrad division saw sales rise 7.7% to 209,707 units.
In an era where economic constraints are influencing consumer choices, BMW's exceptional sales figures underscore not only its resilience but also its successful navigation of evolving market dynamics, especially in the context of an industry-wide slowdown in interest in electric cars.