BMW launches newest motorcycle in the Gulf

BMW is expanding its motorcycle range and getting its distributors to fit out dedicated areas for them. It will shortly be confirming a distributor in Lebanon, seen as a key market for the range.

The UAE, Kuwait and Egypt are the other important markets. Restrictions on sales of 125cc and over motorcycles to civilians in Jordan, Yemen and Iran have cramped BMW's to widen the market further.

While motorcycle sales accounted for 200 units in the company's overall tally of 7,000 from these markets in 2000, forecasts are this would grow significantly in the years ahead.
Late last year, it won contracts to supply the Dubai and Qatari police.

BMW yesterday launched its C1 two-wheeler in Dubai, the first overseas market for the model outside Europe. The C1 is expected to win sales of 10,000 in the first year. In the UAE, BMW hopes to sell about 50 this year.

In Dubai, C1 riders have been exempt from wearing helmets. BMW has requests pending with authorities in the other emirates and the Gulf states for a similar waiver.

"We are very pleased that traffic authorities in Dubai have followed in the footsteps of the 11 European countries and granted users the helmet exemption for the C1. We hope other countries will grant a similar exemption," said Dr. Uhland Burkart, the Munich-based executive vice-president for sales and marketing at BMW Motorrad, the motorcycle division.

With prices starting at Dh22,500, the 125cc C1 touches top speeds of 100-110 kilometres an hour and has a fuel consumption of 2.9 litres per 100 kilometres. In some European markets, C1 owners holding a car license are not required to take out another for a motorcycle. BMW is expected to push for a similar exemption here as well.

The 175cc version of the C1 is expected to be launched in the region during the last quarter. "The social acceptance of motorcycles has changed. It's no longer just one category of buyers going for them," Burkart said.