Munich

BMW sees drop in sales, extends short-time working

BMW sees drop in sales, extends short-time working Munich - The world's leading luxury carmaker BMW said Wednesday that it expects a further drop in sales this year and plans to extend short-time working.

"We don't believe we can reach the sales turnover of 2008," chief executive Norbert Reithofer told the company's annual press conference.

Last year BMW sold 1.4 million vehicles, 4.3 per cent down from 2007. Reithofer declined to make a prediction for 2009, saying it would be a year of transition.

Hoeness' viewing licence idea met with scepticsim, opposition

Hoeness' viewing licence idea met with scepticsim, opposition Munich  - A monthly Bundesliga viewing licence proposal from Bayern Munich general manager Uli Hoeness was met with scepticism and outright opposition on Monday.

Hoeness told the Wirtschaftswoche magazine that the 37 million television households should pay 2 euros (2.6 dollars) a month which would generate around 900 million euros per year and bring Germany closer to the big football TV deals in England and elsewhere.

Munich's Klose sidelined for up to eight weeks

Munich's Klose sidelined for up to eight weeks Munich - Bayern Munich and Germany striker Miroslav Klose will be sidelined for up to two months over an ankle injury, Munich's general manager Uli Hoeness told the Sueddeutsche Zeitung daily on Monday.

The paper, on its website, quoted Hoeness as saying that Klose was due to undergo surgery later Monday "and will then miss six to eight weeks."

Klose will not only miss upcoming Bundesliga matches but also Munich's European Champions League quarter-finals and two World Cup qualifiers for Germany.

Pregnant women should spend longer periods on their side

Pregnant women should spend longer periods on their side Munich  - Pregnant women, who are experiencing problems with their blood circulation, should be placed on their left side and medical assistance called immediately, according to Germany's Professional Association of Gynaecologists in Munich.

Symptoms to watch out for include sudden breathlessness, dizziness, increased heart rate and nausea.

BMW's profit slump sends shares tumbling

BMW's profit slump sends shares tumblingMunich - Shares in the world's leading luxury carmaker BMW AG dropped by more than 11 per cent Thursday after the group reported a step fall in 2008 earnings.

Munich-based BMW said net profit plummeted by 89 per cent to 330 million euros (420 million dollars) as sales slumped around the world in the wake of the deepening global recession.

"The BMW Group has been able to make improvements at an operating level in the midst of extremely difficult economic times," BMW chief Norbert Reithofer said releasing the results.

BMW X3 special rescue vehicle

BMW X3 special rescue vehicleMunich  - BMW showcased in Geneva a special BMW X3 rescue

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