Dubai: German carmaker BMW achieved a 15 per cent increase in sales across 14 Middle East markets from January to September, Gulf News has learnt.
Overall, 11,977 BMWs and 467 Minis were sold in the region.
In the UAE, sales surged 29 per cent to 5,280 in the period. The top performing markets in the entire region were Abu Dhabi (plus 45 per cent) and Dubai (plus 16 per cent), according to the figures. Sales in Saudi Arabia grew by 22 per cent.
Best selling models were the 7 series, followed by the 5 series and the sports utility coupe X6.
The news came only a few days after BMW in a rare step announced the recall of almost 6,800 cars in the UAE due to a possible fault in the power brake system.
"That we are recalling all the cars does not necessarily mean that there is a problem with each of them," a BMW Middle East spokesperson told Gulf News.
BMW also said it has relaunched its operations in Jordan.
New partner Abu Khader Automotive has made a "substantial investment" to set up a new sales centre and a showroom in Amman, said Phil Horton, Managing Director of BMW Group Middle East.
New partner
"We have invested a lot of time and resources into selecting the right new business partner for BMW. The Jordanian market has shown strong growth potential and we are confident that the success we have achieved across the Middle East region will be emulated through our future operations in the Jordanian market," he added.
Lexus supercar to arrive
Lexus distributor Al Futtaim Motors has confirmed that the new 2011 model year Lexus range will feature the brand's ultra exclusive supercar, the LFA, heralding the arrival of a series of F marque high performance vehicles in the UAE. Originally unveiled as a supercar concept in 2005, the LFA has since gone into full production with only 500 models available worldwide. The V10, 560-horsepower car will arrive in the UAE early next year, said Saud Abbasi, General Manager for Lexus, Al Futtaim Motors.
