BMW November global car sales up 20% as China drives growth

BMW AG (BMW.XE) said Wednesday that sales rose by 20% on the year in November to 129,014 vehicles as sales in China more than doubled to 17,302 cars.

"We ... were able to expand our market share worldwide," BMW sales chief Ian Robertson said in a statement, noting that the company continues "to aim for a good balance between our sales in Europe, the Americas and Asia."

"BMW Group is well on its way to reaching its target of more than 1.4 million units for this year," he added.

In Germany, sales for the BMW and Mini brands climbed 30% in November, with a total of 25,156 new vehicle registrations. In the U.S., sales rose 25% to 22,883 vehicles last month.

The main growth drivers in November were the new-generation BMW 5-series, the X1 small sports-utility-vehicle and the larger X5 SUV.

MAIN FACTS:

- BMW Group November car sales +20% on year at 129,014 cars.

- BMW Group January-to-November car sales +14% on year at 1.32 million cars.

- BMW brand November car sales +20% on year at 108,187 cars.

- BMW brand January-to-November car sales +15% on year at 1.11 million cars.

- Mini brand November car sales +19% on year at 20,552 cars.

- Mini brand January-to-November car sales +5.4% on year at 208,830 cars.

- Rolls-Royce brand November sales at 275 vehicles after 104 cars last year.

- Rolls-Royce brand January-to-November car sales more than doubled to 2,282 cars.