BUILDING on its best first quarter ever, BMW Group Middle East has announced a 13 percent increase in sales for the first half of 2012 compared to the same period in 2011. Delivering a total of 10,352 BMW and MINI vehicles to customers across 14 Middle East markets, the world's most successful premium automotive manufacturer is gearing up for yet another successful year in the region. The company's first half-year results also highlight Middle East customers' appetite for luxury vehicles that offer the very best from a brand. The UAE remained the highest volume selling market in the Middle East, accounting for 51 percent of BMW and MINI regional sales in the first half of this year, followed by Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Markets that showed good individual sales increases included Oman which grew by 38 percent, Kuwait 25 percent, Qatar 21 percent, Jordan 10 percent, Lebanon 8 percent and Saudi Arabia by 4 percent. "The number of cars sold in the first six months is the best ever half year results we have achieved here in the Middle East, which sets the pace for another successful year," said Alexander Eftimov, Director of Sales and Marketing, BMW Group Middle East. "Together with our importer partners, we remain committed to driving our BMW Group brands forward in the Middle East with the launch of new models and investments into our services. The BMW high-end models were the driving force behind sales success. BMW Group Middle East's half-year performance was boosted by sales of its top-of-the-range vehicles. The BMW 5 Series was the company's most popular model, followed by the BMW X5 Sports Activity Vehicle and the company's flagship BMW 7 Series. Other models that proved popular were the BMW X6 Sports Activity Coupé and BMW 3 Series. In the first half of 2012, BMW Group Middle East launched the latest generation of both models. Bigger, sportier and more dynamic, and the first BMW model to be available with three different line options - Modern, Sport and Luxury - the all-new BMW 3 Series arrived in February. Meanwhile, the upgraded X6 Sports Activity Coupé arrived in the Middle East this June. The MINI Hatch, MINI Cabrio and MINI Coupé were also strong contributing factors to the brand's first half 2012 success. – SG
