Berlin - Faced with a dramatic slump in sales, the world's leading luxury carmaker BMW has called on its staff to buy the prestigious brand autos, the company said Wednesday.

Over the last few weeks about 7,000 cards were placed on cars produced by rival auto manufacturers, which were parked at BMW workplaces across Germany.

"What's going on here?" says the card. "You like to work with us. You know how value your work and your income, but you drive a rival's car."

BMW sales plunged by 21 per cent to 488,000 during the first five months of the year in the wake of the global recession. The company's German workforce totals about
73,000.

But confirming a report in the daily Suddeutsche Zeituing, a BMW spokesman said it was not a demand but rather was aimed at encouraging the company's workers to pause for thought.

He insisted it was not a question of "singling out employees who drive the wrong car."

Family model cars as well as vans or small buses have not been included in the BMW action as they are not included in the Munich-based auto maker's vehicle lineup.(dpa)