BERLIN, March 12 (Reuters) - German premium carmaker BMW

hopes to hold ground in China in 2026 after a sales

slump the year prior, CFO Walter Mertl said on Thursday, after

the company reported annual results.

"Average sales figures over the past few months indicate

that sales in China could reach last year's level," Mertl said

according to a transcript of his speech after the results.

BMW reported a 12.5% decline in its China sales in 2025.