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BMW Q1 sales volume record
The BMW Group says it has started the financial year 2018 with a“ strong” first quarter.“ Despite volatile conditions and unfavourable exchange rate effects, new best ever figures were recorded for sales volume and net profit. In motorcycle terms, BMW Motorrad sales volume in the first quarter was at the same level as the previous year. Worldwide deliveries to customers edged up marginally by + 0.6 % to 35,858 units( Q1 2017: 35,636 units), setting a new first-quarter sales volume record for the seventh year in succession. However, the company says motorcycle segment performance“ was held down by the impact of the current model change and by currency effects”. Revenues fell by-15.5 % to € 524 million( 2017: € 620 million). EBIT was also adversely affected by the same factors and finished at € 77 million( 2017: € 125 million;-38.4 %). Pre-tax profit for the three-month period amounted to € 78 million( 2017: € 125 million;-37.6 %). The first-quarter EBIT margin for the Motorcycles segment came in at 14.7 %( 2017: 20.2 %). In the light of slightly slower production ramp-up of new models, retail sales for 2018 are now expected to grow only slightly for the year. In automotive as well as motorcycle terms, BMW continues to grapple with the challenges and invest in the opportunities that are affecting all aspects of 21st century transport policy. Harald Krüger, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, is quoted as saying:“ Our industry is currently going through a phase of unprecedented technological change and must master the highly challenging conditions.“ The first quarter highlights some important points: we think in terms of opportunities and are pursuing a welldefined strategy; we are combining tomorrow ' s mobility with sustainable profitability – underlined by the fact that we are capable of generating a high pre-tax margin on group level,
R nineT‘ Racer’ in BoxerCup comeback
A popular championship makes a comeback: the new BMW Motorrad BoxerCup starts in 2018. Last seen in 2004, BMW is staging a BoxerCup comeback for identical race-modified R nineT Racer models. The season opener will be on 23rd / 24th June 2018 as part of the ADAC Classic at the Sachsenring( GER). The other races take place as part of the International German Motorcycle Championship( IDM).“ A level playing field with identical machines, meeting style and individuality. We are looking forward to bringing the BMW Motorrad BoxerCup back to life with the BMW R nineT Racer,” said Henning Putzke, Head of BMW Motorrad Deutschland. The air / oil-cooled 81 kW( 110 hp) 1,170cc Boxer engines will be raced in stock trim- no
tuning whatsoever is permitted. All the race bikes will have identical modifications, including redesigned front forks and dampers from Wilbers, cylinder head covers, engine spoilers and rear panels from Ilmberger, sports shocks and titanium manifold from Akrapovič, BMW Motorrad ABS with racing software, Brembo brake pads, the“ High End” steering dampers from Müller Präzision, and uniform Metzeler tyres. All motorbikes will be prepared for competitive racing at the BMW Motorrad Centre in Munich. Side stands, mirrors, number plate holders, indicators even in volatile times”. On 11 April, the BMW Group opened its campus for autonomous driving just outside Munich, where together with partners, it will develop the technologies required for both highly and fully automated driving.
and lights were all removed to accommodate the modifications. However, once the season is over, the bike can be returned to its original state and be approved for road use. To ensure that all competitors have the same chance of success, no changes- apart from optical modifications to the paintwork, or the application of stickers or film- are permitted beyond those made in Munich. All technical components and wear parts are precisely specified and regulated. The starting field for the BMW Motorrad BoxerCup will feature 30 places for the new season. In addition to the regular starters, well-known guest riders will take part in the races on two VIP bikes. Participants can choose between four different performance packages when making their purchase.