BMW Group Canada Shatters All Sales Records; 2001 BMW Automobile Sales Rise 15.2%, Motorcycle Sales Rise 24.2%

WHITBY, ON, Jan. 2 /CNW/ - BMW Group Canada announced today that it succeeded in breaking all sales records set in 2000, with sales of automobiles rising in 2001 by 15.2% to 12,702 units and motorcycle sales rising 24.2% to 920 units. These sales results mark the Company's 11th consecutive year of record-breaking sales. Although sales were strong across the entire model range, it was sales of the 3 Series models and the X5 models, up 19% and 57% respectively, that secured BMW's position as the volume leader in the luxury/performance segment of the market.

"2001 was an extraordinary year in many respects," explains Hendrik von Kuenheim, President and CEO of BMW Canada Inc. "I am extremely proud of the entire BMW organization and our retailers for achieving the Company's most successful year in history, despite the flat automotive market. We have much to be proud of this year."

In order to accommodate these continuous sales increases, BMW Canada and its retailers are currently undergoing a $100 million expansion plan to double service capacity and improve retail centres in all major markets across the country. "Our customers' satisfaction levels are what drives our business," states Mr. von Kuenheim. "Maintaining our leadership in this area by providing the ultimate sales experience is extremely important to us."

BMW Canada Inc., based in Whitby, Ontario, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BMW AG and is responsible for the distribution of BMW luxury performance automobiles, Sports Activity Vehicles, motorcycles, BMW Financial Services, and beginning in 2002 the new MINI. BMW is represented by a total network of 32 independent BMW retail centres and 16 independent BMW motorcycle retailers across the country.