BMW's half year sales up 25 per cent in Mid East

Despite high Euro exchange rates, retail sales of BMW Group vehicles were 6,200 units in the period January to June, with the new BMW 7 Series, 5 Series, X5 and new 3 Series driving growth.

Oman is the fastest growing market in the Gulf Cooperation Council region with sales accelerating ahead by 34%, compared to the same period in 2004, followed by the United Arab Emirates, 15% up. Another bright spot was Lebanon where, despite recent political and security issues, sales are also up in the first six months of this year.

Guenther Seemann, Managing Director, BMW Group Middle East said: "The Middle East is one of the fastest growing regions in the world for BMW Group and in the first half of 2005 our expectations have been completely fulfilled.

"In fact, we could have achieved even more but we didn't get enough production of the 7 Series and 5 Series.

"There is a strong demand for premium products and premium services in the Middle East, and, as a result the region's premium car segment is growing much, much faster than elsewhere in the world. So, we see a very bright future ahead for the remainder of 2005," added Seemann.

Underlining the huge potential of the Middle East for the future of BMW Group, June was the best retail month since 1994, when BMW opened its regional office in Dubai. Monthly sales of BMW Group vehicles have risen from 196 cars in June 1994 to 1,186 in June 2005.
Record half year for BMW Group Middle East - 2

"Although sales of the new 7 Series and the 3 Series, have contributed significantly to the growth in the first half of this year the full impact will not be felt until the second half of the year when we confidently expect to strengthen our position as the leader in the premium car segment," Seemann said.

BMW Group's product initiative has also seen it launch new BMW M5 and M6 models in the Middle East in the first six months of this year, along with the MINI Cabriolet.

"This is an ongoing process, introducing new models year by year, and we will continue to grow strongly in the region and we expect to maintain our record breaking trend," added Seemann.