Muscat: BMW Middle East fared much better than expected during the global economic recession last year, said Michael Hiller, Area Manager, BMW Group Middle East, on Sunday.
"We increased our market share in the region by 4 per cent," he said on the sidelines of the all-new Gran Turismo launch at the Al Bustan Palace Hotel recently.
He also pointed out the decline in overall business for the brand in the Middle East was less than the overall decline for the brand worldwide.
"Like every other brand, we have also had a decline in sales for BMW but in the Middle East it was only 9 per cent compared to 10.4 per cent worldwide," he said.
Sales
The BMW Group sold 1,286,310 (1,435,876 in 2008) vehicles worldwide in 2009.
Talking about the Middle East market he said: "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."
With a total of 14,557 BMW and Mini vehicles sold across 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."
He hoped that the entry of the Gran Turismo into the Oman market would further boost sales in the country.
"We have had a steady business with no decline, no increase in the number of BMW vehicles sold in 2009 [compared to 2008]," said Johnny Oommen, Head of Operations for Al Jenaibi International Automobiles. However, as is the practice among car dealers in Oman, he declined to divulge numbers.
He said there was a market for vehicles like the Gran Turismo. "We are optimistic and see further growth in our sales with the entry of a new segment among the BMW models," he said.
He added that the BMW Gran Turismo was the only vehicle of its kind in the market right now. "We are confident that this new model will strengthen BMW's position in the luxury performance class, and our customers can be assured of a truly exceptional offering backed by excellent customer service," Oommen added.
BMW describes the Gran Turismo as combining typical BMW proportions, a stretched silhouette and a coupé-like roofline, as well as four doors with frameless windows to create one complete unit. They say the front view of the car animates powerful dynamism through the sheer presence of the upright BMW kidney grille, large air intakes and dual round headlights slanted back at an attractive angle.
BMW stressed that for the first time the daytime driving light function is provided by corona rings with LED technology, while the rear end is enhanced by L-shaped rear light clusters with illuminated rows of lights in LED technology.
