After a decline last year, demand in China stabilized in the past quarter, and the dealer body returned to a profitable position. 

"What happens this first quarter remains to be seen," Robertson said at a briefing at the Detroit auto show.

BMW retained the volume crown by sales in 2015, however Robertson said being the biggest selling luxury carmaker was not a goal the company would defend at all costs.

"We decided what our balance for incentives to profit was going be. If we did not achieve the volume crown than fair enough," Robertson said.

Government rules to make air cleaner would help push sales of electric and hybrid cars, he said. BMW sold 25,000 i3 electric cars last year. 

(Reporting by Edward Taylor; Editing by Maria Sheahan)