BMW Group Middle East reported that 2003 was a top performance year for the car retailer, with sales topping a record 10,251 units in the region.
Speaking at the company’s annual results press conference in Dubai, Senior Vice President of Sales for Asia, Pacific, Africa and East Europe, Lueder Paysen said the Middle East region achieved a 38 percent leap in sales in 2003 compared to the previous year.
The top three Middle East markets, in terms of sales volume in 2003 were the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with 3,188 units sold; Saudi Arabia, 2,213 units sold and Kuwait, 1,500 units sold. Qatar was BMW Group's fastest growing market in the region, recording a 33 percent growth, followed by Bahrain, 32 percent, Saudi Arabia, 19 percent and Kuwait, 10 percent.
The 7 Series was the most popular model in the BMW range, accounting for 35 percent of Middle East sales, followed by the 5 Series, with 22 percent, the X5, with 18 percent and the 3 Series, with 17 percent.
BMW's history with the Middle East dates back to 1924, when BMW was still only an aircraft turbine manufacturer. That year, the first intercontinental flight powered by BMW engines went to Persia. The first BMW car to be sold in the UAE came in 1976 with the sale of a BMW 520i.
The BMW regional office officially opened in Dubai in 1994, although operations had begun as early as 1993. It was the first regional office of a European automotive manufacturer in the Middle East. — (menareport.com)
© 2004 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
