Leica news, before it happens

Most of you are probably familiar with “Leica à la carte”.

The “Leica à la carte” program offers over 4000 different technical and styling options for the Leica M7 or Leica MP models. Every option has a price. My imaginary model end up costing me USD 6370 (it has LeicaRumors.com engraving on the back) – that’s USD 2000 premium over the regular Leica MP:

• In fiscal year 2008/2009 (ended March 31), Leica registered sales of EUR 134.2 million. This is a 14.1 % decrease as compared to the sales of EUR 156.2 million posted in the previous year.
• Rudolf Spiller, Chairman of the Board of Management of Leica Camera AG: “The reasons for the decline in sales and earnings are to be found in the negative economic developments of our relevant international markets, the phasing-out of products due to their life cycles, as well as the delayed market introduction of new products.”
• In fiscal year 2008/2009, sales of system cameras fell by 26.9 % to EUR 41.8 million. Sales of compact cameras decreased by 10.3 % to EUR 44.3 million. Leica sports optics saw a sales decline by 16.6 % to EUR 24.8 million.
• Sales abroad stand at EUR 115.8 million or 86.4 % of total sales of Leica Camera Group. At EUR 49.1 million or 36.6 % of total sales, the Asian market is the most important individual market for Leica Camera AG, followed by the US, Canada and Mexico, which account for EUR 27.9 million or 20.8 % of total sales. Sales in the home market, Germany, fell by 15.9 % to EUR 18.3 million.
• The average number of employees in the Leica Camera Group increased from 991 in the previous year to 1,058 in the year under review.

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