BMW Middle East sales increase 13% in 2010 first half

BMW Group Middle East has completed the first six months of 2010 with a 13% sales growth over the same period in 2009. Across 14 Middle East markets, the world’s most successful premium automotive manufacturer delivered 8,096 BMW and MINI vehicles to customers, signaling the underlying strength of both brands in the region.

The company made gains virtually all 14 Middle East markets. Pakistan and Yemen achieved record sales for BMW with both markets more than doubling year on year sales with Pakistan up 180% (14 vehicles sold) and Yemen up by 105% (39 vehicles). Other markets that recorded double digit growth were: Syria with an increase of 65% (742 cars); Abu Dhabi up 38% (1,707 cars), the highest number of vehicles sold across the region, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where sales increased by 19% (1,478 cars). Notable increases were also recorded in Oman and Bahrain where sales were up 9% (304 cars) and 4% (319 cars) respectively.

BMW’s flagship BMW 7 Series remained the top selling model with 2,402 cars sold an increase of 16%; followed by the BMW X6, a popular model in the Middle East, which achieved 1,319 cars, a growth of 6%. Meanwhile, the BMW X5, which celebrates its 10th anniversary in the Middle East this year, was the third biggest selling model with 1,266 cars sold. The strongest growth in the first half year was reported by the BMW Z4 with sales increasing 173%. Each of these models: the BMW 7 Series, the BMW X6/ X5 and the BMW Z4 remain the global market leaders in their respective segments.

Contributing to BMW Group Middle East’s performance for the period under review was the BMW 5 Series, selling 1,312 cars marking an increase of 34%. Lauched in March this year, the new BMW 5 Series is a core products for BMW and combines sporting and elegant design, excellent comfort, the highest standard in efficiency in its class and sets the benchmark in driving dynamics and safety having recently achieved five stars in the Euro NCap vehicle safety assesment programme.

The MINI brand also performed exceptionally well with sales increasing by 28%, a total of 293 cars were sold across eight Middle East markets compared to the first six months of 2009. Markets that performed well included Oman with an increase of 233% sales growth, Qatar with 200% growth, Dubai with 85% and Lebanon with 60%. The MINI brand will diverse over the next couple of years to include three new models with the first new vehicle, the MINI Countryman, arriving in the Middle East in January 2011. The MINI Countryman will be the first MINI with four doors, four wheel- drive, four individual seats and measures more than four metres in length. It will be the answer to the needs of customers who are looking for a bit more MINI, and a MINI which goes far beyond urban boundaries.

Commenting on the first half year success, Phil Horton, Managing Director, BMW Group Middle East said: “We had six new BMW model launches in the first six months of the year: two ActiveHybrid models, Gran Turismo, 5 Series, X1 and X5, so it’s been a busy and successful start to the year. We are very pleased with the sales results for both our BMW and MINI brands and look forward to continuing to work closely with all our importers during the second half of the year to achieve our 2010 year-end sales target.”