German automaker BMW sales up 7.4 percent in September

Group sales at German automaker BMW AG were up 7.4 percent in September over the same month last year, the company said Monday.

Photo: German automaker BMW sales up 7.4 percent in September

Overall group sales rose to 141,952 cars for September, which ended the third quarter. For the first three quarters of the year, the BMW Group delivered 1,094,849 vehicles, up 73,299 vehicles on the same period for 2006, or 7.2 percent.

"I am certain that we will achieve our sales target for this year - growth in the higher single-digit percentage range," said chief financial officer Stefan Krause in a statement.

BMW sales were up 3.5 percent in September to 118,027 automobiles from 113,986 in the month last year. For the nine months to September BMW dealerships delivered 6.3 percent more cars, or 929,379 from 874,223 the year before.

Mini sales were up 31.2 percent to 23,805 in September, and rose 12.3 percent to 164,891 for the nine months to September.

Rolls-Royce delivered 60 percent more vehicles, increasing to 120 from 75 in September last year. For the nine months to the end of September, sales at the luxury unit reached 579 vehicles, up 21.9 percent over the 475 in the same period of 2006.

BMW shares were down 0.53 percent in morning trading to EUR47.15 (US$66.65).