BMW AG predicted only a slight increase in deliveries this year, taking a cautious approach even as it risks losing its lead in the luxury-car market to Mercedes-Benz.
The carmaker also disappointed some investors by not offering a special dividend as it celebrates its 100th anniversary. BMW said Wednesday it plans to raise the general dividend to 3.20 euros per common share from 2.90 euros for 2014 earnings, which would be its sixth increase in a row.
An aging model lineup has already left the carmaker struggling to keep pace with No. 2 Mercedes, which has rolled out a slate of new vehicles in recent years including the GT sports car, GLE Coupe crossover and compact CLA sedan. Krueger on Wednesday pointed to just a single fresh car, the 7-Series sedan, to help boost sales this year.
“BMW certainly knows it’s under pressure to show they can regain growth momentum, and they need to find a way to return passion to the brand,” said Arndt Ellinghorst, a London-based analyst with Evercore ISI.
The shares fell 1.9 percent to 78.54 euros at the close in Frankfurt. BMW has lost 20 percent this year, more than the 16 percent decrease in Mercedes parent Daimler AG’s shares.
The carmaker is scheduled to release full 2015 earnings details and Krueger’s new strategy on March 16.
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