Weak China sales may force BMW to revise full-year profit targets

Bayerische Motoren Werke AG said slowing sales in China may force it to revise this year's profitability goals, challenging new Chief Executive Officer Harald Krueger as he seeks to defend his lead in the global luxury car industry.

Earnings before interest and taxes from automaking are still expected at 8 percent to 10 percent of sales, though "if conditions on the Chinese market become more challenging, we cannot rule out a possible effect" on the forecast, the Munich-based manufacturer said on Tuesday.

BMW has cut production by 16,000 cars in China, its biggest market, Chief Financial Officer Friedrich Eichiner said on Tuesday.