The company reported record sales for both new and pre-used BMW cars in the region for 2011 and said the UAE contributed 47 per cent of the regional sales across 14 markets in the Middle East. Three new models will be launched in the first half of 2012, Dr Joerg Breuer, managing director, BMW Group Middle East, told reporters at a news conference on Tuesday.
With a total of 18,657 BMW and MINI vehicles delivered to customers across 14 Middle East markets, the company’s year-end results clearly demonstrate the continued strength of both brands in the region - with most of its importers reporting an increase in sales in 2011 and a number of markets recording a double-digit growth.
The UAE remained the biggest market, accounting for 47 per cent of BMW Group Middle East’s 2011 sales. Abu Dhabi was the highest volume selling market, with a 23 per cent growth and 4,436 cars sold while Dubai also witnessed an increase of 23 per cent with 4,395 cars sold. Other top performing markets included Qatar by 26 per cent (1,265 cars), Saudi Arabia, with a 2 per cent sales increase (3,072 cars) and Kuwait and Bahrain both with a 6 per cent increase. Also among the markets with the biggest growth were Yemen and Pakistan with 37 per cent and 27 per cent growth respectively.
“The Middle East is enjoying robust growth across all sectors of the automotive industry, with the luxury segment in particular growing substantially. These market factors coupled with the commitment of our importer partners and the launch of seven beautifully-designed and technologically-advanced new models during 2011, have helped drive our 9 per cent sales growth,” Dr Breuer said.
The company’s flagship BMW 7 Series remained the highest volume selling model with 4,511 cars sold. The BMW 5 Series also showed growth with 4,286 cars sold and a 30 per cent increase. The other best selling BMW models included the X6 Sports Activity Coupé (2,620 cars), X5 Sports Activity Vehicle (2,510 cars) and the BMW 3 Series (2,033 cars).
“We will see some exciting new models added to our portfolio that will include the all-new BMW 3 Series and the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupé. There will also be another addition to the MINI family – the MINI Roadster will both add an exciting new dimension to the brand’s portfolio and will help contribute to the growth of the BMW Group brands in the region,” he said.
MINI recorded another year of exceptional sales, achieving a 77 per cent growth in 2011 across eight Middle East markets and sales of 1,108 cars – the strongest growth ever since the brand was launched in the Middle East eleven years ago, and an impressive achievement when operating in a market that predominantly favours large, luxury cars. In the UAE, Dubai was the biggest MINI market, with an increase of 164 per cent (493 cars) while Abu Dhabi saw growth of 63 per cent (196 cars).
Breuer added, “It has been a great 12 months and we anticipate that 2012 will be as successful for BMW Group in the Middle East.”
Pre-owned cars
Another area of the business that saw growth for BMW Group Middle East was BMW Premium Selection, the company’s pre-owned programme that offers customers the same peace-of-mind motoring as if they were purchasing a new BMW. The best year since the programme launched in 2007, 2,761 BMW vehicles were sold through the programme in eight markets, representing an increase of 140 per cent on the previous year.
