BMW is expecting to remain the number one premium car manufacturer in the world at the end of 2015, despite significant gains made by German rivals, particularly Audi.

This, according to BMW Chairman Dr Norbert Reithofer, will be on the back of 15 new models and model updates coming this year.

In 2014 the BMW Group sold 2 117 965 million cars, of which 1 811 719 were branded BMW, 302 183 from MINI and a record 4 063 from Rolls-Royce. This was 7.9% up on 2013 figures overall and kept the Munich brand in the lead.

Some of the models expected to hit the showroom floors this year include the revised 1 Series hatch (facelift), the 7-seat 2 Series Gran Tourer which won’t be sold in Mzansi.

The leader of the BMW pack, the 3 Series, is also due for a facelift this year, as well as the possible introduction of a new 330i and a 340i with about 250kW of power.

Then the last major product would be the all-new big daddy 7 Series which is already being prepared for at the company’s Dingolfing plant in Germany.

- Manohar