Million reasons to beam

BMW, the world's largest premium carmaker, posted a 0.4 percent increase in group sales to 132,194 vehicles last month, the company said.

"For the first time in the company's history, over a million automobiles were sold by the end of the third quarter," BMW reports.

Deliveries at the group's core BMW brand rose 2.2 per cent to 113,979 units in September, while Mini sales fell 9.8 per cent to 18,140 cars. In the first nine months through September, group vehicle sales rose 3.3 per cent to 1,021,534 units.

BMW expects further growth in the coming months thanks to the relaunch of the 3 Series coupe and the new-look X3 mid-size offroader. Deliveries for both started on September 23.

It also forecasts record sales for its Mini brand, as the next generation of BMW's highly successful retro-subcompact will hit European dealerships on November 18.

The group remains on track to reach its 2006 target of earning a record €4 billion before tax, including a gain of €375 million from the sale of shares in British turbine engine maker Rolls-Royce Plc.

Last week, DaimlerChrysler's premium arm Mercedes Car Group posted a 1.5 per cent decline in vehicle sales to 116,100 units in September as a double-digit drop in Smart sales dragged on results.

Volkswagen's premium brand Audi meanwhile had said unit sales rose 7.3 per cent last month to 83,200 units helped by the all-new Q7 full-size offroader. It raised its forecast for full-year brand sales late last month.

- REUTERS