[QLD]

GERMAN top-of-the-range carmaker BMW has sold a record 1.8 million vehicles in 2012, chief financial officer Friedrich Eichiner says.

"One of our goals for 2012 was to increase unit sales and achieve a new deliveries record. With 1.8 million vehicles, we've done that," Eichiner told the Die Welt daily in an interview on Thursday.

Earlier this month, Eichiner had said that BMW was "on target" for reaching a new sales record following buoyant sales in November.

In November, BMW's worldwide sales rose by about 20 per cent to more than 170,000 vehicles.

In the 11 months to November, vehicle sales so far this year reached about 1.66 million, an increase of some 10 per cent compared with the same period last year.

The carmaker's aim was to lift sales again next year, Eichiner told Die Welt.

"The big question is whether the markets will allow it," he said, cautioning that BMW would see "stagnation at best" in Europe.

"The United States, on the other hand, will offer recovery opportunities, with the overall market there projected to grow by 5.0 per cent and the premium segment even stronger," Eichiner said.

"In addition, we've built up a strong position in medium-sized markets such as Australia, Russia, Korea and Turkey. And these markets are continuing to grow," he said.

[mmmmQuattro]

They have to be careful not to become too popular and cheapen the brand.
Perhaps that's why they have so many different models now

[_ink]

If they're not careful, they'll turn into Audi...