Dubai: German sports carmaker Porsche, part of the Volkswagen Group, yesterday reported a rise in vehicle sales in the Middle East and Africa (Mea) region for the financial year 2009-10 of 5.6 per cent, the spokeswoman of Porsche Middle East and Africa, Anja Wood, told Gulf News.
With 6,275 units sold in the period, "Porsche has broken its own sales record in the region," Wood said.
Although specific sales figures per country have not been broken down yet by Porsche's headquarters, Wood said that it is clear that the UAE continued to be the best performing market in the region. Best-selling cars in the UAE were the SUV Cayenne and the newly launched four-door Panamera, she added.
Cayenne topseller
In the region, Cayenne led the way, accounting for 48 per cent of deliveries over the last year, despite the run-out phase of the old generation and the introduction of a new model only in June at the end of financial year.
The Panamera accounted for 29 per cent of the total delivery spectrum. A recall of the new Panamera a few months ago had no impact on sales at all, Wood said.
In April, Porsche recalled all Panamera models throughout the region because of a seatbelt flaw. In the UAE 504 cars were affected, of which some had not been delivered at that time because the Panamera was launched in the region only shortly before the worldwide recall was announced.
The classic Porsche, the 911, recorded close to 1,000 deliveries in the region, which makes 15 per cent of all Porsche sales.
"While the past couple of years have presented challenges for all car manufacturers, Porsche has stood strong and tall through its stable and high-quality product range," said Deesch Papke, Managing Director of Porsche Middle East and Africa.
"Our models are perfectly suited for people who take a long-term view.," he added.
"We have worked hard over the last years to focus on staff development, optimised after sales processes and a homogenous pricing strategy."
