Electrified models give BMW Oz sales a jolt

BMW Group Australia has finished 2021 on a high note. 

The German luxury brand completed the calendar year with registrations of BMW and MINI models up 5.8 per cent (to 24,891 units) and 15.3 per cent (to 3579 units) respectively; the numbers making the BMW Group the fastest growing luxury German brand in Australia for 2021.

Model highlights for BMW include double-digit percentage growth for 1 Series (+19%), 2 Series Gran Coupe (+39%) and 3 Series (+17%) variants, the hatch and sedan model range selling strongly despite figures showing that X (SUV) models account for more than 50 per cent of the brand’s total sales volume. 

The brand also recorded what it says is a “considerable increase” in the sale of electrified models with fully electric BMW models up 198 per cent and fully electric MINI models up 210 per cent on the previous calendar year (2020).

Plug-in hybrid models were likewise popular. Sales of BMW badged PHEV models rose 96 per cent in 2021 while MINI PHEV models jumped 156 per cent.

BMW Group Australia CEO Wolfgang Buechel said the combined BMW Group results for 2021 reflected strength in the expanding and evolving product line-ups, brand strategy and ability of the dealer network to successfully navigate the ongoing challenges posed by the pandemic.

 “We are proud to finish 2021 as the fastest premium German brand in Australia – a result that comes from achieving excellence in many areas of our business including a commitment to delivering a memorable experience for our valued customers,” Mr Buechel said.

“This year brings us new opportunities with our electric vehicle strategy gathering further pace with new model introductions and our dealer partners preparing their facilities for the arrival of these exciting new offerings.

“We are also delighted to implement our new corporate identity among our dealer sites, which goes beyond the new design. The remodelling will also include new processes – including digital aspects – to deliver a seamless and more convenient experience from the time customers begin their research at home to the moment they set foot in our dealerships,” he added.

Mr Buechel said plans to revolutionise the look and feel of BMW Group dealership sites across the country is a move designed to elevate the customer experience. 

Melbourne BMW and MINI Garage will be the first metropolitan dealer to adopt the new corporate identity and will open its remodelled facility in the second half of 2022, while Shepparton BMW will be the first rural facility and have its new site open by March.

BMW sold 24,891 units in 2021, an increase of 1371 units (or 5.8%) on the year prior. SUV models including the X3 (4242), X5 (3172) and X1 (2986) proved exceptionally popular, the stalwart 3 Series sedan likewise strong with 3982-unit sales. 

Meanwhile, MINI sold 3579 vehicles across the 2021 calendar year, an increase of 474 vehicles (or 15.3%) on the preceding 12 months. Popular models within the MINI line-up include the Hatch (1866) and Countryman (1148).