BMW Group Middle East has announced that 2009 sales of BMW and MINI in Bahrain achieved a two per cent increase over 2008 sales figures.

Euro Motors, the exclusive importer of BMW Group in Bahrain, is ranked among the top five performing markets for BMW Group Middle East. The growth also signals the importance and strength of the Bahraini market despite a challenging year for the automotive industry.

Contributing to Euro Motors’ solid performance in 2009, the BMW 7 Series saw a 224 per cent increase in sales in Bahrain and was the top selling BMW vehicle.

Building on its successful launch in 2008, the BMW X6 Sports Activity Coupé achieved a 59 per cent increase in sales in 2009 making it Euro Motors’ second bestselling vehicle of the year and a testament to the ongoing appeal of the world’s first Sports Activity Coupé, said a spokesperson.

Paul Yates, general manager, Euro Motors said, “In a challenging economic climate, where many car manufacturers suffered losses, a two per cent increase in our sales confirms the loyalty of our customers and the strength of the BMW and MINI brands.”

Another area of business that delivered strong growth was BMW Premium Selection, the company’s approved used-car programme, which achieved an increase of 54 per cent in Bahrain. Overall BMW Premium Selection sales across the Middle East were up 25 per cent in the eight markets that offer the programme.

“We anticipate some of the challenges faced in 2009 will remain, but are confident that Euro Motors is in a strong position to achieve growth during 2010.”

“We have five new models to launch in Bahrain during the first five months of the year:  two ActiveHybrids, the new BMW 5 Series, Gran Turismo and BMW X1. We are confident that these new models will have a positive affect on 2010 sales and our brands will maintain their strength in the market.”

Overall, the BMW Group Middle East ended 2009 with a moderate 9 per cent decrease in sales compared to 2008. Despite the premium automotive sector being down 25 per cent, the BMW brand managed to gain a 4 per cent increase in market share against its core competitors, with a total of 14,557 BMW and MINI vehicles sold across 14 Middle East markets, Yates added.-TradeArabia News Service