Record Sales for BMW Group Middle East in the GCC - UAE market achieves highest growth with over 5000 units sold

Dubai, UAE. BMW Group Middle East has announced record sales in the GCC
countries with 11,250 units, the highest ever volume achieved in the
Gulf region. The boost in sales was led by AGMC's double digit growth,
Dubai and Northern Emirates' exclusive importer for BMW, MINI and
Rolls-Royce, with a 12 per cent sales increase achieving 3,156 units in
comparison to last year's 2,830. AGMC and Abu Dhabi Motors,
representing the UAE market, achieved the highest sales figures within
the Group, delivering 5000 automobiles to customers. In addition, the
regional sales figures for BMW Group Middle East, reached 14, 332 units
in comparison to 13,753 units in the previous year. Highest growing
markets in the GCC were Oman with 26 per cent, Qatar with 18 per cent,
and Dubai with 12 per cent growth. The highest growth in emerging
markets was recorded by Syria, at a staggering 94 per cent increase in
sales volume and Pakistan, which has also grown exponentially at 62 per
cent compared to the previous year. The three countries that had the
highest volume were AGMC, the exclusive importer for Dubai and the
Northern Emirates with 3,156 units, Mohammed Yusuf Naghi Motors,
exclusive importer in Saudi Arabia with 2,671 units, and Abu Dhabi
Motors, exclusive importer in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain with 1,890 units sold
in 2006. "BMW continues to deliver strong results in this key
worldwide market for the marque," said Guenther Seemann, Managing
Director, BMW Group Middle East. "Despite some challenges
experienced in the region in 2006, we were still able to achieve good
results with four per cent growth. Looking forward, 2007 is set to be
an exciting year for BMW Group Middle East, with the launch of several
new models such as the BMW X5, the New MINI, the BMW 3 Series
Convertible and the new BMW 5 Series." Key highlights for BMW
Group Middle East in 2006 included the launch of the Z4 Roadster, Z4 M
Roadster, Z4 Coupe and Z4 M Coupe, 3 Series Coupe, BMW X3 and the BMW
M6 Convertible. These new models contributed to the sales growth in the
region, notably the Z Series experienced an impressive 78 per cent sales
increase with sales of 199 units (prev. year: 112). X3 volume also grew
by 18 per cent at 548 units (prev. year: 465). The BMW 5 Series
represented 33 per cent of all BMW vehicles sold in the Middle East
(4,596 units) and sales grew by 10 per cent compared to the previous
year. Sales for the BMW 7 Series remained strong with 3,738 units
delivered and a 5 per cent sales increase, accounting for 27 per cent
of overall BMW regional sales. The BMW 3 Series reached a 17 per cent
volume share at 2,383 units and 6 per cent growth. "With the
introduction of several new models, we expect continued overall growth
in the region in the coming twelve months," Seemann continued.
"We will also be working closely with our partners in the region to
further expand our business. There are a number of crucial projects in
the pipeline for this year which will offer our customers new and
innovative services, to enable us to provide them with the premium
automotive experience they have come to expect from us and the BMW
brand," he concluded. - Ends - For more information please
contact:- Rana Jones, Corporate Communications, BMW Group Middle East
Telephone: +971 4 313 2600 (615) direct, Fax: +971 433 00120 Email:
rana.jones@bmw.com OR Kelly Smith, Account Director, MCS/Action
Telephone: + 971 50 498 3085 Email: Kelly.s@actionprgroup.com Media
website: www.press.bmwgroup.com