The BMW Group recorded positive earnings for the financial year 2009 as planned despite the ongoing worldwide financial and economic crisis.

Profit before tax rose by 17.7% to euro 413 million (2008: euro 351 million). Net profit amounted to euro 210 million (2008: euro 330 million/-36.4%) due to the higher effective tax rate. Revenues decreased moderately by 4.7% to euro 50,681 million (2008: euro 53,197 million).

Based on the proposal of the Board of Management and Supervisory Board, the dividend will remain unchanged against the previous year at euro 0.30 per share of common stock and euro0.32per share of preferred stock.

"We performed well in 2009 despite difficult market conditions worldwide.Our cost management and efficiency improvement measures had a positive impact, even though the effects of the worldwide financial and economic crisis were still being felt," said Norbert Reithofer, the Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG on Thursday in Munich.

"We are proposing a dividend for 2009 despite the difficult economic climate, demonstrating the confidence we have in our operating strength, and we also want our shareholders to participate in the company’s performance."

(PR)