BMW warns profits will fall due to costs, trade uncertainty

German automaker BMW says its profits this year will be "well below" last year's due to higher raw materials prices, the costs of compliance with tougher emissions requirements and unfavorable shifts in currency exchange rates.

The Munich-based automaker also said Wednesday it faced increased uncertainty due to international trade conflicts that could lead to higher tariffs.

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German automaker BMW says its profits this year will be "well below" last year's due to higher raw materials prices, the costs of compliance with tougher emissions requirements and unfavorable shifts in currency exchange rates.

CEO of the German car manufacturer BMW, Harald Krueger, attends the earnings press conference in Munich, Germany, Wednesday, March 20, 2019. (AP PhotoMatthias Schrader)

BMW made 7.2 billion euros ($8.2 billion) in net profit last year, down 17 percent from 2017, when the company had a gain of $1 billion from U.S. tax changes.

CFO of the German car manufacturer BMW, Nicolas Peter, adresses the media during the earnings press conference in Munich, Germany, Wednesday, March 20, 2019. (AP PhotoMatthias Schrader)

CEO of the German car manufacturer BMW, Harald Krueger, 4th right, attends the earnings press conference in Munich, Germany, Wednesday, March 20, 2019. (AP PhotoMatthias Schrader)

CEO of the German car manufacturer BMW, Harald Krueger, poses at a BMWi car prior to the earnings press conference in Munich, Germany, Wednesday, March 20, 2019. (AP PhotoMatthias Schrader)

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German automaker BMW says its profits this year will be "well below" last year's due to higher raw materials prices, the costs of compliance with tougher emissions requirements and unfavorable shifts in currency exchange rates.

BMW made 7.2 billion euros ($8.2 billion) in net profit last year, down 17 percent from 2017, when the company had a gain of $1 billion from U.S. tax changes.

CFO of the German car manufacturer BMW, Nicolas Peter, adresses the media during the earnings press conference in Munich, Germany, Wednesday, March 20, 2019. (AP PhotoMatthias Schrader)

CEO of the German car manufacturer BMW, Harald Krueger, 4th right, attends the earnings press conference in Munich, Germany, Wednesday, March 20, 2019. (AP PhotoMatthias Schrader)

CEO of the German car manufacturer BMW, Harald Krueger, poses at a BMWi car prior to the earnings press conference in Munich, Germany, Wednesday, March 20, 2019. (AP PhotoMatthias Schrader)

The company forecast a profit margin of 6 to 8 percent for its automotive business, short of the long-term strategic target of 8 to 10 percent, which it said still "remains the ambition" for the company given "a stable business environment."

BMW made 7.2 billion euros ($8.2 billion) in net profit last year, down 17 percent from 2017, when the company had a gain of $1 billion from U.S. tax changes.