BMW Brilliance Automotive Co., the German premium car maker's Chinese venture, said on Saturday it sold 36 percent more locally made vehicles in 2007.

Total sales of the BMW 3 Series and 5 Series reached a record 30,600 units on the Chinese mainland, from 22,500 units a year earlier, the company said.

The 2007 figure included sales of the stretch 5 Series -- a luxury model especially made for the country's nouveaux riches -- which soared 61 percent year on year to 17,647 units.

BMW Brilliance was established in 2003 by BMW and Brilliance China Automotive Holdings Ltd., the country's eighth largest automotive manufacturer in 2007. The joint venture produces the 3 Series and 5 Series in northeast Chinese city of Shenyang.

Last year the German car maker's China sales surged 42 percent to 51,588 units, including 49,388 BMW models and 2,200 minis. Sales of the 7 Series flagship car were up 42 percent to 10,688 units.

(Xinhua News Agency January 27, 2008)