Bouncing back from a challenging 2009, BMW Group Middle East has reported positive growth for its Q1 2010 sales results for several markets across the Middle East.
With a total of 3,907 BMW and MINI vehicles sold across 12 Middle East markets, the Group experienced growth for a number of importers with several markets recording double digit growth. In addition to Syria and Abu Dhabi where sales were up 82% and 31% respectively, sales in Saudi Arabia increased 30%, in Bahrain 17%, Kuwait 7% and in Oman 3%.
Commenting on the healthy performance James Crichton, Sales & Marketing Director, BMW Group Middle East, said: “We are obviously delighted with these results and feel they are testament to the great efforts made by all our importers; they have put an enormous amount of time and commitment into promoting both our BMW and MINI brands.
“We launched two new BMW models during the first quarter of this year – the all-new BMW Gran Turismo and a totally new designed and engineered BMW 5 Series model, which have both been enthusiastically welcomed by the markets. And we are delighted that our flagship 7 Series remains our best selling model proving the ongoing desirability for Middle East customers to buy the very best a brand has to offer," added Crichton.
Leading the best selling model line-up, was the BMW 7 Series with a growth of 17% (1,313 cars sold); followed by the X6 Sports Activity Coupé with 765 cars sold, an increase of 31%. Sales for the BMW 5 Series; a core product in BMW’s portfolio, increased 19% with 556 cars sold followed by the BMW X5 with 547 cars sold, a 7% growth in sales.
And MINI, the small car with the big attitude continues to prove its popularity with 116 cars sold, an increase of 41%.
Across the region the three biggest markets by volume of cars sold were Dubai with 781 cars sold, Abu Dhabi with 771 and Saudi Arabia with 736 .
Crichton highlighted BMW Group’s focus on innovation and customer needs by drawing attention to the company's successful BMW Premium Selection programme: “We continue to not only put emphasis on our new car sales but also on our used car programme which has been received extremely well by customers and our BMW importers in the GCC markets. ”
In 2009, BMW achieved an increase of 25% in total BMW Premium Selection sales. So far for 2010, BMW used cars show an increase of 17%. The best performing markets for the first quarter were Bahrain increasing used car sales by 133%, Kuwait by 103%, Abu Dhabi by 50% and Oman by 92%.
Crichton concluded: “These positive growth figures for the first quarter of 2010, particularly the month of March where our sales increased 31%, are extremely encouraging and hopefully point to a very successful year for BMW and MINI across the Middle East.”
