Resultados comerciales de BMW durante los primeros meses del año en Latinoamérica

The BMW Group starts 2011 with the strongest performance in sales ever in the Latin American and the Caribbean Region. With 6,220 BMW and MINI cars sold in the first quarter of 2011 (prev. yr. 4,173 units / +49%), nearly all markets contributed to these positive results. Brazil alone achieved an all time record sales of 2,924 BMW and MINI which represented a growth of +76% versus the same period of 2010. Quarter sales also increased strongly in Chile (703 units / +78 %), Panama (213 units / +28%) and Colombia (565 units / +19%).

“The BMW Group remains the most successful premium automobile company in Latin American and the Caribbean. Our customers like the state-of-the-art design, the high quality and the safety of our products and services. We are especially satisfied with the success of the BMW X1. That model exceeded our expectation in Q1 2011 by far and has become the new best seller in the Latin American Region.”, said Gernot Volkmer, CEO of the BMW Group Latin America & the Caribbean.


BMW.
The BMW brand shows a strong start in 2011 and consolidates its leadership position in the Premium segment. In the first Quarter of 2011, 5,250 vehicles were delivered to customers (prev. yr. 3,680 units / + 43%) in the Latin American and the Caribbean Region. The most successful market for BMW is Brazil with 2,368 units showing a steady growth versus previous year of +72 % (prev. yr 1,380). BMW in Chile achieved a new record in 2011 with 627 retailed units in the first 3 months (prev. yr. 359 / +74.7%) and underlines its leadership position in the Premium segment.

The BMW X1 establishes a new segment
The BMW X1 has developed into the most successful BMW model in Latin America and the Caribbean. 1,242 units (+236% vs. prev. yr.) were delivered to customers which demonstrate the clear leadership position of the BMW X1 in the new compact SAV segment.

A brand new Sport Package is now available for the BMW X1 that will underline the presence and dynamic of this model even stronger. All the other models of the BMW X family like the BMW X6, the BMW X5 and the brand new BMW X3 convinced as well with strong growth rates. The BMW X3 already achieved 267 units (+64%) in the first quarter of 2011 and the BMW X5 continues to be an icon in its segment with 413 units sold (+34% vs. prev. yr.). The BMW xDrive technology is the most sold all-wheel-drive system in the Premium segment in the world.

MINI.
The MINI brand almost doubled its sales with 970 retails (prev. yr. 493 / +97%) in the first Quarter of 2011. This success has been clearly supported by the new MINI Countryman, the 4th model of the MINI brand that has been recently launched in the region (+285 units). MINI in Brazil continues to be benchmark in the compact premium segment with a result of 556 units (prev. yr. 278 / +100%).

BMW Motorrad.
With 1,525 motorcycles sold in the Latin American and the Caribbean Region, BMW Motorrad achieved also record sales and growth of +35.1% (prev. yr. 1,129). In Brazil, the largest market for BMW Motorrad, 767 units were delivered to customers showing the strongest achievement in 3 months of +53.7% (prev. yr. 499). This performance goes in line with the recent “Golden Motorcycle” recognition in Brazil that included the following awards: Maxitrail with the BMW F 800 GS, Naked with the BMW K 1300 R, Sports with the BMW S 1000 RR, the “Best Image in terms of quality” and “Most Pleased Customer”. Within the importer markets, Chile (126 units / +70%) and Colombia (100 units / +32%) as the volume strongest importer markets for BMW Motorrad worldwide contributed clearly to the successful performance.

| BMW

Polaris se hace con Global Electric Motorcars

Polaris Industries Inc. today announced an agreement to acquire Global Electric Motorcars LLC (GEM), a wholly owned Fargo, N.D. based subsidiary of Chrysler Group LLC and manufacturer of premium electric-powered vehicles. GEM is the recognized leader within the low-speed vehicle market, with a well-respected brand and approximately $30 million in sales during the 2010 calendar year. Since the company was established in 1998, they have placed more than 45,000 electric-powered vehicles on the road worldwide. GEM has developed business-to-business sales expertise within the fleet and government vehicle markets, and has created a competitive advantage with core competencies in make-to-order vehicle fulfillment and mobile service support.

“GEM provides Polaris with an established position in the low-emission small vehicle market and supports Polaris’ strategy of penetrating on-road market segments poised for growth,” said Scott Wine, Polaris chief executive officer. “We are excited about the outlook for growth within this market space, and are looking forward to developing even stronger growth prospects for the GEM business.”


“Our vision is to accelerate profitable sales growth for GEM, by combining Polaris’ strength in new product innovation with the most-recognized brand in the low speed vehicle market space,” said Mike Jonikas, vice president of the On-Road Vehicle Division. “These new product efforts for GEM will be supported by an expanded distribution presence within select domestic and international markets.”

The agreement to acquire GEM will officially close within the next 60 days once Polaris secures the required state sales certifications to sell GEM products. During this interim period, since Polaris will not yet have officially acquired GEM, operations will proceed as usual and Polaris will continue to learn and understand the GEM business through information exchange. Following this interim period, Polaris will be in a position to outline specific plans for the GEM business.

| Polaris