Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.
BMW Group recorded its highest sales in the GCC countries with a 14 percent raise over 2006. Similar growth in sales was mirrored in overall Middle East sales with a six percent raise. Such growth inked a record of 15,150 BMW and MINI sales across the region.
Compared to 11,250 sales in 2006, the GCC inked 12,782 sales in 2007 while the Middle East in total accounted for 15,150 units in comparison to 14,332 units in 2006, reported AME Info.
The increase in sales was attributed largely to Abu Dhabi Motors, the exclusive importer for Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, with a 36 percent raise from 1,890 units to 2,561. AGMC, the exclusive importer for Dubai and the Northern Emirates, garnered the highest overall sales for the automaker with 3,594 vehicles delivered.
“The Middle East is a region of great opportunity and potential for BMW Group, as exhibited by the extremely healthy growth of nearly all of the markets over the past few years,” said Phil Horton, Managing Director, BMW Group Middle East. “Despite some regional challenges, we have been able to record a noteworthy growth, and we remain optimistic that this growth will continue for at least the next three years to come.”
Following Abu Dhabi, other GCC top markets include Qatar and Kuwait with 25 percent and 24 percent year-on-year growth respectively. Syria, meanwhile, recorded the highest increase in the Levant markets with 22 percent raise. In 2007, the said market reported a notable 94 percent raise.
“The growth that we have witnessed last year is sure to continue into 2008 and 2009 with the introduction of several important new products, including the all-new BMW X6, the first Sports Activity Coupe for the premium luxury market, and at the end of this year the introduction of the brand new 7 Series,” added Horton. “We also have several new models in the range that will further strengthen our position in the region such as the new BMW M3 Sedan, the new 1 Series Convertible and Coupe, and the much awaited MINI Clubman.”
In 2007, the Middle East unit of the maker of BMW 325is radiator introduced fresh models that contributed significantly to the inking of record high. New models include the X5 Sports Activity Vehicle, 3 Series Convertible, MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper S. To note, MINI recorded a surge of 29 percent in sales following the debut of its new model in April last year. From 475 units sold in 2006, the figure rose to 612 last year.
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