BMW Group Middle East first four months sales up 17 per cent

Retail sales of BMW Group vehicles were 4,630 units in the period January to April with the BMW 5 series, 7 series and 3 series the most popular models.

The UAE and Saudi Arabian markets drove the excellent sales growth. AGMC, in the UAE, was the highest volume dealer in the region with 1,000 units sold compared to 830 units sold in the same period last year, followed by Saudi Arabia with 946 units sold with 16% growth than the previous year. Abu Dhabi Motors also achieved excellent growth with sales rising by 25% to 665 units.

Pakistan is the fastest growing market in this region, with sales accelerating ahead by 155%, compared to the same period in 2005. In the Gulf Cooperation Council region, Oman witnessed the highest growth in sales, delivering 67% more vehicles than the first four months of 2005, followed by Qatar, 56% up.

BMW 7 series saw the highest growth of any BMW vehicle, withy a 70% increase on the first four months of 2005. BMW Group Middle East sold 25% more BMW 5 Series and 9% more BMW 6 Series during the first four months of 2006 than during the first quarter of 2005.

"BMW Group Middle East promised double digit growth in 2006 and the excellent sales results for the first four months of this year show that we are keeping that promise,"

said Guenther Seemann, Managing Director, BMW Group Middle East.

"BMW Group Middle East is seeing continuous growth in the region; nearly all markets in the Middle East have achieved higher results in the first four months of 2006. The outlook for 2006 is promising; we have the right partners in place who are constantly developing and investing heavily in the business to provide customers with the ultimate driving experience.

"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 faster than anywhere else in the world. So, we see a very bright future ahead for the remainder of 2006." concluded Seemann.

BMW Group Middle East and the importer network are making substantial investments in the region during 2006. Five new models and many new engine variants will be introduced during 2006, including the highly anticipated Z4 Coupe, Z4 M Coupe and the 3 Series Coupe.

In the UAE, Abu Dhabi Motors will begin the multi-million dollar expansion of the UMM Al Nar showroom and aftersales facility. AGMC will also embark on the expansion of their existing showroom, doubling its size.

In Saudi Arabia, US$ 10million is being invested in a brand new, state-of-the-art aftersales facility, and in Oman new sales and aftersales facilities will be built in Salalah, Buraimi and Sohar.

Internationally, BMW Group sales increased considerably in the first three months of 2006. The number of BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce vehicles sold rose by 11% to 447,819 units, setting the company on course for another record-breaking year.