BMW M division sales up

BMW’s M division has reported a year-on-year sales increase of 50 per cent in 2008, despite the global economic downturn.

A total of 24,186 M models were sold worldwide last year, with the BMW M3 accounting for nearly 18,000 vehicles.

The M5 sold 2465 units, the M6 2260 and the Z4 M 1438 units. BMW sold more M models to the US than anywhere else, with Germany and the UK in second and third.

This year BMW will diversify the M-brand with the launch of its first ever M-badged SUV, the M version of the X6, powered by a twin-turbo V8.