To our surprise, we have just learned that BMW is planning to layoff up to 8,000 workers in 2008. A spokesman for BMW revealed that most of the jobs lost would be in Germany and those leaving the company would predominantly be temporary workers. The 8,000 represents almost 8% of BMW's workforce, which employs around 108,000 people around the world. 

It is a little shocking to hear these news since we were under the impression that the german automaker has had a strong year and the sales exceeded their expectations. Recently, we have learned that in November 2007, BMW managed to sale the most cars in the U.S.

The layoffs seems to be a cost-cutting measure to improve profits, since BMW is spending more money than its expected on new models so the net profit could be lower in 2007 than the previous years.

2008 is going to be a good year for BMW, with the introduction of several new models in the U.S:

1-series 

M3 coupe and sedan

X6 Coupe