Sales of BMW's flagship model up 73% in Mideast

BMW has seen Middle Eastern sales of its 7 Series increase by 73% during the first half of 2009.

The German carmaker reported that a total of 2,077 models have been sold between January and June this year.

Saudi Arabia was the largest market with 617 cars sold - an increase of 124%, the company said on Wednesday.

The UAE was another a strong marketl, with Dubai and Abu Dhabi witnessing sales of 311 and 259 cars respectively, up 32% and 142%.  

Qatar saw 7 Series sales reach 147, which the firm said was a 41 percent improvement on the previous year’s first six months.

James Crichton, sales and marketing director of BMW Group Middle East said the results were “very encouraging”.

“We are confident our flagship model will continue to set the trend in the luxury performance class,” he said.

But, last month BMW Middle East revealed it has suffered a significant drop in sales during this year’s opening half.

The firm reported a 10 percent decline compared with the same period in 2008 – but insisted market share had increased steadily in some countries.

From January to June, the company sold 7,165 vehicles across 14 markets in this region, with some nations faring relatively well amid the downturn.

In Lebanon, Syria and Saudi Arabia, BMW sold 531, 451 and 1,241 vehicles, representing an 84, 58 and 24 percent increase respectively.

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