Dubai: Having sold a total of 15,805 vehicles in 14 markets in the Middle East in the first nine months of the year, German car manufacturer, BMW, said, it has recorded a 15 per cent jump in its BMW and Mini sales in the region over the same period last year.

The company also concluded its best third quarter ever (July-September) and achieved its highest sales volume in a single month, with 1,981 BMW and Mini vehicles delivered across the Middle East in August, it said in a statement.

It added that the UAE remained the biggest market in the Middle East, accounting for 48 per cent of BMW and Mini regional sales during the first nine months of the year, followed by Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

Markets that showed good individual sales increases included Jordan which grew by 50 per cent, Oman 40 per cent, Kuwait 31 per cent, Abu Dhabi 30 per cent, Qatar 19 per cent, Lebanon 18 per cent, and Saudi Arabia 14 per cent.

“We have focused on driving the BMW Group brands forward in the region and as a result, our models continue to be in high demand,” Alexander Eftimov, Director of Sales and Marketing, BMW Group Middle East, said in a statement.

Most popular model

The BMW 5 Series, meanwhile, remained the most popular model, accounting for a quarter of all regional sales, the company said, adding that the flagship BMW 7 Series was also amongst the company’s best selling cars, representing 18 per cent of overall sales.

“We are working towards ending the year with record sales and have no doubt that the new model will play a major role in helping us achieve this,” said Eftimov.

Further, reaffirming its position as the fast growing premium brand in the region, Mini witnessed 19 per cent sales growth during the first nine months of 2012, BMW said.

Looking ahead to the final quarter, Eftimov said the company will continue to grow its brands by working with its importer partners to launch technologically-advanced vehicles and by investing in staff and customers services.

In 2011 BMW Group Middle East sold 18,657 vehicles across 14 different Middle East markets and achieved a 9 per cent increase in sales. The UAE maintained its position as the top performing market with 47 per cent of regional sales followed by Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar.