BMW Group Middle East has completed the first three months of 2011 with a 19 per cent sales growth compared with the same period in 2010. The world's most successful premium automotive manufacturer delivered 4,635 BMW and MINI vehicles to customers across 14 Middle East markets, confirming the strength of both brands in the region. The new BMW 5 Series, launched in March 2010, was the top-selling model with 1,055 cars sold, followed closely by the company's flagship BMW 7 Series that saw 1,046 cars sold. The BMW X6 Sports Activity Coupe and X5 Sports Activity Vehicle continue to be amongst the top-selling cars with 694 and 634 cars sold respectively. The BMW 3 Series, the world's best-selling premium car, continues its success story with 647 cars sold. The ongoing success comes on the back of an active first quarter for BMW Group Middle East in which two new BMW models were launched; the third generation BMW 6 Series Convertible and the new BMW X3. The second generation BMW X3 has a new exterior and interior design and has already secured two global awards including the Four-wheel Drive Car of the Year 2011 by Auto Bild Allrad, and Favourite SUV by readers of German magazine Off Road. Similarly, the new head-turning BMW 6 Series Convertible, which arrived in the region in March, offers outstanding performance, luxury and sheer driving pleasure. MINI also recorded exceptional sales growth during the first three months of 2011, achieving 81 per cent growth across eight Middle East markets with 210 cars sold. The MINI Hatch continues to be the best-selling MINI model and January's launch of the MINI Countryman was a strong contributing factor to the company's first quarter success. The fourth MINI family member continues to make waves across the region with its innovative use of space and unique four door design and four-wheel drive capabilities. Reiner Braun said: "The drive for success and hunger for further growth will dominate the coming months for the BMW Group in the Middle East. To continue that momentum we will be welcoming more exciting new models to the region; these will include the BMW 6 Series CoupŽ, the BMW 1 Series M CoupŽ, BMW M5 and the MINI CoupŽ. Together with our importers we look forward to continuing our growth in 2011." Another area of the business that saw growth for BMW Group Middle East was BMW's Premium Selection, the company's pre-owned car programme that offers customers the same peace-of-mind motoring as if they were purchasing a brand new vehicle. It total 639 vehicles were sold during the first quarter through BMW Premium Selection in eight markets. Next week's Motoring Weekly checks out the demand in Bahrain at Euro Motors.
