BERLIN -- BMW reported better than expected quarterly net profit which rose 23 percent to 3.18 billion euros ($3.1 billion) thanks to high car prices, but warned that rising inflation and interest rates would start to weigh on sales in the coming months.
The higher profit comes despite lower sales volumes as supply chain issues including the semiconductor chip shortage that has curtailed output for automakers globally.
"Our solid third-quarter results underline that flexibility creates resilience ... we are on track to meet our targets for the year," CEO Oliver Zipse said in a statement.
Resilient demand and low inventories have allowed BMW and other automakers to raise prices, but with recession risks rising and central banks raising interest rates, analysts have predicted that consumers will start reining in major purchases.
BMW warned that rising inflation and interest rates will hit consumer purchasing power in the coming months and that its above-average order books are expected to "normalize, especially in Europe."
However, finance chief Nicolas Peter said that BMW expects its "positive momentum" to continue in 2023, with full-year sales slightly lower than in 2021 while sales of full-electric vehicles should double.
The company said its full-year operating margin forecast remains within a range of 7-9 percent.
Despite an overall 9.5 percent drop in sales from the same period last year, the automaker's third-quarter revenue jumped 35 percent to 37.18 billion euros ($36.49 billion).