Sales of BMW-brand cars topped 1m for the first time last year, up more than 10% on 2003. Overall sales at the group, which includes the Oxford-built Mini and Roll-Royce, rose by 9.4% to just over 1.2m.

Mini sales rose 4.5% to more than 180,000 and Rolls-Royce sold some 790 cars - its best performance for 14 years - but short of its informal 1,000-a-year target.

Sales of BMW-brand vehicles were boosted by the launch of the 1-series and X3 models. Speaking at the motor show in Detroit, BMW chief executive Helmut Panke said the group expected to increase sales again this year though he acknowledged that 2005 would be "more complex and more of a challenge" because of high raw material prices and increased hedging costs.

Also in Detroit Jaguar took the wraps off its advanced lightweight sports coupe. The car, which has the aluminium body technology used in the new XJ saloon, is not expected to go into production but Jaguar said it is a clear indication of the kind of car it intends to build in the future.