BMW Again Raises British Built Mini Sales Goal

FRANKFURT - October 18, 2002 Dow Jones reported that BMW again lifted its forecast for 2002 sales of the new Mini model, this time to more than 140,000, according to German news agency VWD.

The Bavarian carmaker already hiked the forecast last month by 10% to 132,000. BMW sold 105,000 Minis in the first nine months of the year, it said.

The little car, launched in mid-2001, has proven a huge success, with sales and profitability of the mix sold exceeding market expectations.

Mini sales next year should continue to climb, BMW management board for sales Michael Ganal told reporters, VWD said.

Production at the U.K. plant that makes the Mini should reach more than 150, 000 units in 2002, VWD said.