BMW Group Middle East half year sales increase by 21%

Across its 14 importers in the region, 7,953 BMW and MINI vehicles were sold with Dubai achieving the highest overall sales volumes.

While Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait were the next best selling markets, BMW's highest growth rates were recorded in Lebanon and Abu Dhabi, which grew 68% and 56% respectively.

The regional sales results have contributed to BMW Group's best ever worldwide half year performance, which saw global sales increase 4.7%.

Across the company's three premium brands; BMW, MINI and Rolls Royce, The Group sold 764,874 vehicles.

"The Middle East region is witnessing phenomenal growth both in terms of the local economic environment and the luxury automotive industry. The success we have achieved is being fueled by this growth coupled with the strong commitment of our importers and our strongest and widest ever vehicle range,"

said Phil Horton, Managing Director, BMW Group Middle East.

"We launched five new models in the region during the first six months: the MINI Clubman, BMW 1 Series Convertible and Coupe, BMW M3 and the all-new BMW X6 Sports Activity Coupe, which have all helped contribute to this growth," added Horton.

The trendsetting BMW X5 Sports Activity Vehicle was the overall standout performer with 1,843 vehicles sold, an increase of 66%.

BMW redefined this category in March with the launch of the X6, the world's first Sports Activity Coupe that combines the sporting elegance of a large Coupe with the powerful presence of a BMW X model.

The X6 has been well received with 596 models sold from March to June, and the full year's production almost completely sold out.

Also contributing to BMW Group's regional growth was its used vehicle programme, BMW Premium Selection.

The BMW sub-brand achieved a 75% sales increase in the last six months.

Reserved exclusively for pre-owned BMW vehicles that are less than five years old and which meet very strict quality criteria, the programme caters to the growing number of aspirational clientele in the Middle East.

BMW Group expects continued growth in the second half of 2008 with the launch of an all-new 7 Series flagship model in November, and a significantly re-styled 3 Series Sedan.

Both the BMW 3 and 7 Series are important models for the brand on a global and local level.

The Middle East is the company's fourth biggest market worldwide for BMW 7 Series sales and the model is positioned to set new trends in the luxury performance class.

Designed with BMW's EfficientDynamics technologies, the new 7 Series is a class leader in emissions reduction.

Horton added: "Our robust EfficientDynamics strategy is BMW's solution to climate protection. It encompasses many technology innovations aimed to reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions while increasing driving pleasure. All our 2008 BMW models have been engineered with this technology, and as of August this year, the number of vehicles fitted with BMW EfficientDynamics will exceed one million worldwide. Next year, we will introduce our first hybrid vehicle, and our longer term climate protection aim is to have zero carbon emissions by using alternative fuels such as hydrogen."