BMW's worldwide sales rise 12.5 pct in April

FRANKFURT, Germany—Automaker BMW AG said Wednesday that its April global sales rose 12.5 percent, led by demand in Asia and western Europe, for its namesake sedans and SUVs.

The Munich-based company -- whose brands include BMW, Mini and Rolls-Royce -- sold 133,205 cars worldwide in April, up 12.5 percent from last year when it sold 118,378 cars. For the year to date, the company said it has sold 485,155 cars, up 7.5 percent from last year when it sold 451,3111.

By brand, BMW was the biggest gainer, selling 111,654 cars, up 11.6 percent from the 100,062 it sold last year. That growth was driven by demand for the BMW 1 series, the 5 Series along with the X5 sport-utility vehicle.

Mini sales were up 17.5 percent to 21,463 sold compared with 18,264 in April 2007. Sales of Rolls-Royce were up 69.2 percent with 88 sold, compared with 52 in April of last year.

BMW's biggest market gainers were Europe, where sales rose 14.1 percent compared with April 2007, and China, where deliveries rose 11.3 percent to 13,3300 cars sold.

In the U.S., BMW's single biggest market, sales rose 10 percent with 31,448 cars sold.

Shares of BMW rose 1.6 percent to close at 37.71 euros ($58.53) in Frankfurt trading.

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