Company on target to beat 2010 Middle East sales
BMW Group Middle East has reported an 11 percent growth in sales for January to October 2011 compared to the same period last year. Delivering a total of 15,567 BMW and MINI vehicles to customers across 14 Middle East markets, the world's most successful premium automotive manufacturer is on target to end the year selling more cars than in 2010 and to further increase its leading market share.
The Group’s latest sales reveal sustained growth across a number of markets, with particularly good growth witnessed in the UAE, which accounted for 50 percent of the company's total sales. Abu Dhabi was the best performer in terms of volume, achieving a 25 percent increase in sales (3,876 cars); followed by Dubai with 32 percent growth (3,640 cars), Saudi Arabia with three percent growth (2,649 cars); while Kuwait saw sales improve by 16 percent.
The Group’s top-of-the-range models: BMW 7 Series, X6, X5 and 5 Series remain the company's best sellers in the Middle East, accounting for 75 percent of total sales. The flagship BMW 7 Series was not only the company's best selling model with 3,651 cars sold, but it was also the best-selling car in the premium automotive segment in the Middle East. It was closely followed by the popular BMW 5 Series, BMW X6 Sports Activity Coupé and the X5 Sports Activity Vehicles.
MINI continued to be the fastest growing premium car brand in the world, representing one in every six BMW Group cars sold worldwide. Global sales for the brand increased 23 percent (232,056 cars) whilst in the Middle East sales climbed 86 percent across eight markets (969 cars). Dubai was the best performing market with an increase of 212 percent, followed by Abu Dhabi with 69 percent.
While MINI sales continue to be led by the MINI Hatch, January’s launch of the new MINI Countryman – the first MINI with four doors and four wheel drive capabilities – was a strong contributing factor to the brand's first half success. In addition, three new dedicated MINI showrooms were launched in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Bahrain to cater for the brand’s progressive growth.
This month's launch of the all new MINI Coupé, the first two-seater MINI and sportiest model to join the portfolio, is expected to further contribute to another successful end of year for MINI.
