BMW sales post 5% drop in 2008

With business conditions deteriorating sharply in the fourth quarter of 2008, German luxury automaker BMW AG said it achieved sales of €53 billion (US$67.67 billion) last year, 5% lower than its 2007 figures. Sales of BMW’s three auto brands, which include Mini and Rolls-Royce, fell by 9.4% to €48.8 billion (US$62.31 billion), while motorcycle sales edged up by 0.2% to €1.2 billion (US$1.53 billion) Financial services, which have been a source of worry for the group, rose by 12.8% to €15.7 billion (US$20.05 billion), however. (February 7, 2009)