BMW Reports Record Yearly Sales, Sees Challenges Ahead – Wall Street Journal

DETROIT— BMW AG
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, the German luxury-car maker, posted record sales for 2015 despite turbulence in some markets and warned about continued challenges in the new year.

The Munich-based car maker said global sales of its namesake BMW brand and MINI compact cars rose 6.1% to 2.25 million vehicles last year. BMW motorcycle sales increased 11% and sales of Rolls-Royce
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ultraluxury vehicles declined 7%.

“Our sales grew consistently throughout the year, despite headwinds in some markets. We expect many of those challenges to continue into 2016, so it’s important we continue to respond flexibly to market conditions in order to maintain our success,” Ian Robertson, BMW board member in charge of sales, said in a written statement.

Sales of BMW brand vehicles rose 5.2% to 1.9 million vehicles, the company’s best year ever. The results defended the auto maker’s position as the world’s leading premium-car brand.

Audi AG
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, which is owned by Volkswagen AG, posted global sales of 1.8 million vehicles last year, up 3.5% from a year earlier. Daimler AG
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’s Mercedes-Benz, fighting to regain the top spot, reported a 13% increase in sales to 1.8 million vehicles.

BMW faced considerable pressure in China, where the slowing economy has hit sales of luxury goods. Sales of BMW and MINI vehicles rose 1.7% in China, while weak China sales stunted Rolls-Royce’s growth.

Write to William Boston at william.boston@wsj.com