China shares one fifth of BMW global sales

BMW X3 xDrive is pictured at its world premiere on March 5, 2013 during the Geneva International Motor Show in Switzerland. [Hao Yan / chinadaily.com.cn]

China accounted for about 20 percent of German car producer BMW Group's global sales, BMW chairman said Wednesday on the annual accounts press conference for the business year 2013.

BMW expanded its production capacity in 2013 by up to 300,000 cars in China, said Norbert Reithofer, chairman of the board of management of BMW AG.

"In the medium term, we are able to increase production up to 400,000 cars annually if needed," Reithofer continues, "Together with our joint-venture partner Brilliance, we are planning a new engine production site, due to open in 2016."

Besides China, the sales in Western Europe, North America and Germany each took up 26 percent, 21 percent and 13 percent of BMW's global sales, which came to a total of 1.96 million cars, 6.4 percent increase compared to 2012.

The revenues of BMW Group stood at 76.1 billion euros (105.8 billion dollar) in 2013, with a net profit of 5.3 billion euros, which is the highest net profit in the company's history.

"We deliver on our promises, and we hit all our targets for 2013." Reithofer added.

Referring to the sales target of the Munich-based company for the coming business year, Reithofer said that the Group sales will surpass two million cars, earlier than the planned year 2016.