Dubai : BMW Group Middle East ended 2009 with a moderate 9 per cent decrease in sales compared to 2008. Despite the premium automotive sector being down 25 per cent, the BMW brand managed to gain a 4 per cent increase in market share against its core competitors, the group said yesterday.
With a total of 14,557 BMW and MINI vehicles sold in 14 Middle East markets, the group recorded positive sales growth for a number of importers with several markets recording double digit growth.
These include Lebanon, where sales increased by 48 per cent (1,001 units); Syria, which reported growth of 53 per cent (878 units); Saudi Arabia where sales improved by 27 per cent (2,555 units); Abu Dhabi, 6 per cent increase (2,607) and Bahrain, 2 per cent increase with 656 units.
"To grow market share against our core competitors and to record double digit growth in several markets is a good result given the challenges we faced throughout 2009," said James Crichton, Sales and Marketing Director of BMW Group Middle East.
"The launch of our flagship 7 Series model, which was our best-selling car in 2009 and the best selling premium car in the Middle East, helped us achieve this performance and effectivley weather the challenging market conditions," he added.
Contributing to the solid performance of 2009, the BMW 7 Series saw a 75 per cent increase in sales and became the top seller in its segment. Building on its successful launch in 2008, the X6 Sports Activity Coupe achieved a 43 per cent increase in sales in 2009.
