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posted March 20, 2005 11:51 AM
New BMW Motorrad registrations at previous year's level
 March 18, 2005
(Munich/ Berlin) In 2004 BMW Motorrad almost achieved the record sales figures of the previous year. In spite of a difficult economic environment on the international market and model cycle related effects regarding existing flat twin models, a total of 92,266 motorcycles were sold, which amounts to a slight decline of 0.7%. Turnover in the 2004 business year was 1.029 million euros which is 2.5% less than the year before. Apart from slightly lower sales, the low dollar rate also contributed to the reduction in turnover.
In Europe the markets with the strongest growth were Spain (5,404 units, +27.9%), Great Britain (4,462 units, +6.1%) and France (7,869 units, +7%). The R 1200 GS as well as the single-cylinder models were the most successful BMW motorcycles in these countries. With sales of 1,564 units, the BMW R 1200 GS also met with a very positive response in the US market.
BMW Motorrad was able to maintain its market leadership in Germany with 26,485 units sold. For the first time in its history BMW Motorrad achieved a market share of 19.5%. The BMW R 1200 GS took the place of the BMW R 1150 GS as the BMW Motorrad bestseller with 6,123 units. As in the years before the BMW F 650 GS (incl. Dakar) as well as the R 1150 RT ranked among the top ten. Worldwide the R 1200 GS was also the bestselling BMW motorcycle worldwide. A total of 18,968 units were delivered which is considerably more than achieved by its extremely successful predecessor in its best year. Worldwide 12,358 customers chose the BMW R 1150 RT travel tourer. The two single-cylinder F 650 GS and F 650 GS Dakar models found 14,478 buyers.
In 2004, four new models were launched as part of the BMW Motorrad product offensive. The K 1200 S was presented in July as the top sports model of the K Series which will be on sale in time for the 2005 season.
At the INTERMOT the K 1200 R, the most powerful naked bike in the world, was shown. This model will be launched in June 2005.
At the close of the year, the BMW R 1200 RT travel tourer had its world premiere at the Bologna motorshow. It has been available in German dealerships since January 23rd, 2005.
The BMW Motorrad model offensive is also having positive effects on motorcycle production in the BMW Berlin plant. Last year up to 500 motorcycles were manufactured per day. Annual production amounted to 93,836 motorcycles and exceeded the previous year's figure by 4.5 percent (89,745).
Following investments of 117 million euros in the years 2001 to 2003 for modernisation purposes and for expanding the plant in order to create the prerequisites for the renewal of the model range, four new models (R 1200 GS, K 1200 S, R 1200 RT and 1200 ST) already went into production in 2004.
The overall investments of the BMW Group into the Berlin plant location have amounted to 153 million euros. In this way the BMW Group is emphasising its continuous commitment to the Berlin business and manufacturing location. With approximately 2,500 employees the BMW plant Berlin represents one of the most significant employers of the capital.
Source: BMW Motorrad
   
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