BMW posts record MidEast sales in Q1

BMW Group Middle East has reported its best first quarter ever with a sales increase of six percent compared to the same period in 2011.

The world's biggest premium automotive manufacturer sold 4,936 BMW and MINI vehicles to customers across 14 Middle East markets, it said in a statement.

The UAE remained the largest market, accounting for 51 percent of BMW Group Middle East's sales in the first quarter of 2012.

Abu Dhabi was the highest volume selling market, with 1,563 cars sold followed by Dubai with 952 cars sold.

Other markets that showed significant sales increases included Saudi Arabia by 8 percent, Kuwait by 22 percent, Qatar by 30 percent and Lebanon by 41 percent.

"This record first quarter has affirmed our increasing sales momentum and clearly demonstrates the continued strength of BMW and MINI in the region," said Alexander Eftimov, director of Sales and Marketing, BMW Group Middle East.

"The year is still young and together with our importer partners, we will introduce more new and refreshed models in the region, making us optimistic for the months ahead."

The BMW X5 Sports Activity Vehicle was the highest volume selling model with 1,138 cars sold, followed by the BMW 5 Series with sales of 1,044 cars.

MINI also witnessed record sales growth during the first three months achieving 67 percent growth across nine Middle East markets with 351 cars sold.