BMW Group Middle East announces growth of premium segment market share for the first half of 2009

With a total of 7,165 vehicles sold across 14 Middle East markets, BMW Group Middle East recorded positive sales growth for a number of importers. These include Lebanon, where sales increased by 84% (531 units); Syria, which reported growth of 58% (451 units); the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia where sales improved by 24% (1,241 units).

"The current climate in which the automotive industry has been operating has continued through the first six months of 2009, and as a result a 10% drop in sales was not unexpected. We continue to work closely with our importers and the results have helped us to not only achieve growth in several markets, but also increase our market share by three per cent from our two main competitors,"

said James Crichton, Sales & Marketing Director, BMW Group Middle East.

From January to June 2009 a number of BMW models achieved resilient sales figures including the flagship BMW 7 Series, which successfully achieved 2,077 unit sales. The BMW X6 accomplished 1,249 unit sales, the BMW X5 and 3 Series sold 1,176 and 1,021 units respectively, closely followed by the BMW 5 Series with 979 units sold.

Crichton highlighted BMW Group's position as a market leader recognised for its innovation and dedication to improving performance and efficiency. In particular BMW leads the automotive industry towards a more sustainable future through the company's EfficientDynamics strategy. This strategy aims to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions and continues to be implemented across the entire vehicle portfolio, including ActiveHybrid models due to arrive in the region in early 2010.

Reiterating BMW Group's commitment to the Middle East, Crichton added: "We remain on track to come through the rest of 2009 in the best condition possible, and expect the launch of the highly anticipated BMW X5M and X6M models to boost our sales performance in the second half of the year. We remain a strong performing company with a solid foundation. These qualities will enable us to weather effectively such stormy conditions and continue to invest in our future."