BMW sales slid by almost five percent in 2009

German group BMW said Friday that 2009 sales slipped by 4.7 percent as the luxury car market was hit by the global recession, but added it expected to sell more than 1.3 million autos this year.

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Group sales fell to €50.68 billion, according to a statement that provided provisional results.

Final results are to be published on March 17, and "we are assured of a pre-tax profit as expected," BMW boss Norbert Reithofer said in a statement.

BMW's sales were particularly weak in its auto division, which posted a drop of 10.3 percent to €43.73 billion, while the finance unit saw a slight increase to €15.79 billion.

Germany's leading high-end automobile group is placing hopes for this year in a new Series 5 sedan expected to be released in March.

Earlier this month, BMW said 2009 unit sales had fallen by 10.4 percent to 1.29 million vehicles despite a pick-up in the second half of the year.