BMW Group Middle East keeps its promises achieving double digit growth

Despite major political and social problems in the region, retail sales of BMW Group Middle East vehicles were 3606 units in the period July to September 2006, with the new BMW 7 Series, BMW 5 Series, BMW X5 and BMW 3 Series driving growth.

Oman is the fastest growing market in the Gulf Cooperation Council region with sales accelerating ahead by 30 percent, compared to the same period in 2005, followed by Qatar, which is 17 percent up. Another bright spot was Dubai where sales are also up in the third quarter of this year.

"The Middle East is one of the fastest growing regions in the world for BMW Group, and as usual, BMW Group Middle East has kept its promise with double digit growth over the last year. In fact, we could have achieved even more but the political situation in the region has been a major factor,"

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

"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 elsewhere in the world. So, we see a very bright future ahead for the remainder of 2006, especially with the commitment of our importers who are investing in increased manpower and facilities to cope with the continuous growth and development of the region," added Seemann.

Although sales of the BMW 5 Series and the BMW 7 Series have contributed significantly to BMW Group Middle East's growth so far this year, the full impact will take another three months to be fully felt. The premium automotive group confidently expects to strengthen its position as the leader in the premium car segment, with the introduction of the all-new BMW 3 Series Coupé, the BMW Z4 Coupé, and the BMW Z4 M Coupé.

This year's fourth quarter will witness the launch of two new models from BMW, the BMW M6 Convertible and the BMW X3 LCI, followed by the phenomenal launch of the new BMW X5 and the new MINI in 2007, yet two new additions to the BMW family.

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