BMW Group Middle East Half Year Sales Increase by 21%

The Group records most successful global half year sales in company's
history despite challenging economic circumstances Dubai, UAE: BMW
Group Middle East has announced its half year results with a 21 per
cent sales increase over the same period in 2007. Across its 14
importers in the region, 7,953 BMW and MINI vehicles were sold with
Dubai achieving the highest overall sales volumes. While Abu Dhabi,
Saudi Arabia and Kuwait were the next best selling markets, BMW's
highest growth rates were recorded in Lebanon and Abu Dhabi, which grew
68 per cent and 56 per cent respectively. The regional sales results
have contributed to BMW Group's best ever worldwide half year
performance, which saw global sales increase 4.7 per cent. Across the
company's three premium brands; BMW, MINI and Rolls Royce, The Group
sold 764,874 vehicles. "The Middle East region is witnessing
phenomenal growth both in terms of the local economic environment and
the luxury automotive industry. The success we have achieved is being
fueled by this growth coupled with the strong commitment of our
importers and our strongest and widest ever vehicle range," said
Phil Horton, Managing Director, BMW Group Middle East. "We
launched five new models in the region during the first six months: the
MINI Clubman, BMW 1 Series Convertible and Coupe, BMW M3 and the all-new
BMW X6 Sports Activity Coupe, which have all helped contribute to this
growth," added Horton. The trendsetting BMW X5 Sports Activity
Vehicle was the overall standout performer with 1,843 vehicles sold, an
increase of 66 per cent. BMW redefined this category in March with the
launch of the X6, the world's first Sports Activity Coupe that combines
the sporting elegance of a large Coupe with the powerful presence of a
BMW X model. The X6 has been well received with 596 models sold from
March to June, and the full year's production almost completely sold
out. Also contributing to BMW Group's regional growth was its used
vehicle programme, BMW Premium Selection. The BMW sub-brand achieved a
75 per cent sales increase in the last six months. Reserved
exclusively for pre-owned BMW vehicles that are less than five years
old and which meet very strict quality criteria, the programme caters
to the growing number of aspirational clientele in the Middle East.
BMW Group expects continued growth in the second half of 2008 with the
launch of an all-new 7 Series flagship model in November, and a
significantly re-styled 3 Series Sedan. Both the BMW 3 and 7 Series
are important models for the brand on a global and local level. The
Middle East is the company's fourth biggest market worldwide for BMW 7
Series sales and the model is positioned to set new trends in the
luxury performance class. Designed with BMW's EfficientDynamics
technologies, the new 7 Series is a class leader in emissions
reduction. Horton added: "Our robust EfficientDynamics strategy
is BMW's solution to climate protection. It encompasses many technology
innovations aimed to reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions while
increasing driving pleasure. All our 2008 BMW models have been
engineered with this technology, and as of August this year, the number
of vehicles fitted with BMW EfficientDynamics will exceed one million
worldwide. Next year, we will introduce our first hybrid vehicle, and
our longer term climate protection aim is to have zero carbon emissions
by using alternative fuels such as hydrogen." BMW Group
Middle East first half year 2008 sales vs 2007 at a glance:  BMW: 7624
vehicles sold  MINI: 329 vehicles sold, +15% sales increase Biggest
selling models:
 X5: 1843 vehicles sold,- +66% sales increase
 3 Series: 1690 vehicles sold, +6% sales increase
 7 & 5 Series models each sold 1202 vehicles
 X6 Sports Activity Coupé: 596 vehicles sold from March to
June GCC markets in terms of sales: Market No. of vehicles sold Dubai
1953 Abu Dhabi 1432 Saudi Arabia 1000 Kuwait 919 Qatar 522 Bahrain
349 Oman 333 Markets which witnessed the biggest growth were: Market
Sales Growth No. of vehicles sold Lebanon +68% 288 Abu Dhabi +56% 1432
Kuwait +26% 919 Dubai +19% 1953 - Ends - For more information
please contact: Leanne Blanckenberg, Corporate Communications, BMW
Group Middle East Telephone: +971 4 313 2615 direct, Fax: +971 433 00120
Email: Leanne.Blanckenberg@bmw.com OR Rabih Habayeb, MCS/Action
Telephone: + 9714 390 2960 rabih.h@actionprgroup.com Media website: www.press.bmwgroup.com