It’s probably fair to say that BMW had a stellar 2012 – record sales and a slew of much-lauded launches have consolidated the brand’s position as one of the top car manufacturers in the world. Read on to see how the marque has performed over the last 12 months…
Soaring sales
The numbers speak for themselves; BMW had a very good year indeed for sales. After releasing its figures for November, which showed a 23 per cent year-on-year rise in deliveries and a 10.1 per cent rise between January and November, the brand knew it was on target to achieve record sales for 2012.
The X3 maintained its popularity throughout the year, with November sales rising by nearly 30 per cent compared with the same month in 2011 and 250,000 units sold since the model’s launch in the second half of 2010. The 1 Series saw a fantastic 37.3 per cent increase in deliveries, while the 3 Series nearly matched this with a 35.7 per cent jump. The 5 Series and 6 Series didn’t miss out on this success, seeing sales rises of 28.1 and 55.7 per cent respectively.
Let’s not also forget BMW’s motorcycle division and MINI – these saw yearly rises both in November alone and for January to November, showing that BMW isn’t just all about its own brand flashy cars!
Snazzy launches
2012 was something of a vintage year for new BMW launches. One of the top picks among motoring editors was a new addition to the ever-popular 3 Series, the 320d. This saloon looks pretty unremarkable from the outside, but performs amazingly well for the money, with a top speed of 146 mph and excellent handling, not to mention the fact that it does 61.4 mpg and has a surprisingly spacious interior.
The 320d Touring was also a major highlight, with Top Gear naming the model its family car of the year for its practicality, perfect size (not too big for lone drivers; not too small for families) and low running costs. According to Top Gear, the model is “the anti-hero for all those people who need a fast, useful car for a small family, without falling for the incessant sales spin”.
BMW M135i
Elsewhere, the BMW M135i was widely praised for its excellent performance; reviewers struggled to find much wrong with it, apart from an exterior that may not appeal to everyone. Capable of getting to 62 mph in just under five seconds with 320 bhp, this is a car for drivers with a penchant for real power under the bonnet.
One particularly notable launch for BMW was the 6 Series Gran Coupe, which set itself apart from the marque’s other models with its super classy exterior and equally luxurious interior. What Car? called it “extremely refined, beautifully built and a joy to drive”, hailing its excellent acceleration, quiet engine and practical spaciousness, while the Telegraph said it is “worth every penny” considering the relatively high price tag.
It’s probably safe to say, then, that BMW is still on the up and up as one of the world’s top car brands. If 2013 is anything like the last 12 months, the manufacturer will have much to be pleased about – and drivers will rejoice, too!
