BMW posts record nine-month MidEast sales

BMW Middle East said on Monday it had achieved record sales for the first nine months of the year with a total of 15,805 vehicles sold across the Middle East.

The figure represents a 15 percent increase over the same period last year, the German car maker said in a statement.

The company also said it had posted its best quarter ever (July-September) and achieved its highest sales volume in a single month, with 1,981 BMW and MINI vehicles delivered across the Middle East in August.

BMW said it had made gains in almost all GCC markets with most importers recording double digit growth.

The UAE remained the biggest market in the Middle East, accounting for 48 percent of BMW and MINI regional sales during the first nine months of the year, followed by Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

Markets that also posted strong sales increases included Jordan which grew by 50 percent, Oman 40 percent, Kuwait 31 percent, Abu Dhabi 30 percent, Qatar 19 percent, Lebanon 18 percent, and Saudi Arabia 14 percent.

"We are very pleased with our 2012 nine month results," said Alexander Eftimov, director of sales and marketing, BMW Group Middle East.

"We have focused on introducing new and relevant models to the region as well as enhancing customer's experiences, which has been a successful formula in helping us achieve double digit growth."

BMW added that MINI sales rose 19 percent during the first nine months of 2012. Sales were led by the MINI Countryman which accounted for 43 percent of the brand's regional sales.

Looking ahead to the final quarter, Eftimov added: "With our January-September results setting the pace for another successful year, we have an overall record for 2012 firmly in our sight."