Guenther Seemann

'On January 18th we have a board member from BMW coming for an announcement about our annual sales figures, so I would not want to pre-empt them now,' says Mr. Seemann, now regional Managing Director of two years from a deck perched above the BMW stand at the 8th Middle East International Motor Show.

'But we are confident of an excellent sales result for 2005, and double-digit growth in 2006. You only have to look around this show to see the potential for further growth in the Middle East. Every manufacturer is here. Our investment in the BMW stand is 50% higher than the last show.

'We feel it is important to be here, not only to show our cars but to show what the BMW philosophy is about. But we have rolled out nine new models in the region in the past year and we have seen success in all the 14 countries in which we sell BMW vehicles.'

One highlight for BMW in 2005 has been its return to Iran, after an absence of 25 years. So far this year BMW has sold 1,600 cars in the Islamic Republic.

BMW back in Iran

'Iran has the highest potential for growth in the future,' says Mr. Seemann. 'Twenty-five years ago we sold 5,000 cars a year in Iran, and we can see this market growing to 10-15,000 vehicles. Saudi Arabia also has huge growth potential.'

What about the outlook for sales in UAE market, and Dubai in particular? Is the higher cost of living accommodation beginning to impact on BMW?

'We will sell 2,700-2,800 vehicles in Dubai this year, and I have to say that with all that the Dubai Government is doing to implement its vision for the future, Dubai is the place to be at the moment. The pace of progress is extraordinary.

'It is true that people are now spending more on property and accommodation in Dubai. What we see is a shift towards finance and leasing of cars which will actually give more people the opportunity to enter the BMW world. This is no problem for us as the market is slowly becoming more like Europe which we are very used to handling.

'But Dubai still has the cheapest petrol and the cost of living compared with other major cities around the world is low. Here we sell more 7-Series than 3-Series, and it is the other way around in Europe. Perhaps one day it will be the same in Dubai, but we will not be losing our customers just changing the sales mix.'

Meanwhile, at the motor show in Dubai this week BMW is presenting its Z4 Coupe, a 0-100 kph in five seconds sports car that will go on sale later next year. There is also a chance to see the new night vision system on the 750i and the new 650i which replaces the 645Ci, as well as new Mini and Rolls Royce models which are also part of the BMW Group.