BMW Sales in Singapore Increase by 47% in First Half-year
• Record-breaking second quarter sales for BMW cars.
• Record number of more than 740 BMW 3 Series cars sold in Singapore in first half-year, most successful 3 Series ever.
• BMW sales globally jump in first half of the year by 11%.
• Highest growth rate recorded in Asia with an increase of 21.5%.
Reflecting the strong global performance of the Group, sales of BMW vehicles* in Singapore increased by 47% during the first half of the year, compared to the same period last year.
Core Models Selling Strongly
The 3 Series – recently voted World Car of the Year at the New York International Auto Show – chalked up strong sales, with 747 units, making it the most successful BMW 3 Series ever in Singapore.
Strong reception to the 7 Series, of which over 420 units are being supplied to the International Monetary Fund and World Bank meetings to be held here in September, led to 427 units sold at the end of June, representing a 98% increase over the same period in 2005. The 5 Series also did well with 628 units sold at the end of June, outselling the competition.
Sales of BMW cars notched up 317 units in April, 248 in May and 423 units in June. The month of June has proven to be the strongest yet for BMW sales in 2006.
New model introductions in 2006 have included the 177bhp, 6-cylinder BMW 323i saloon and 367bhp, 8-cylinder BMW 650Ci sports coupe and cabriolet.
"We continue to prove that, as the world’s number one manufacturer of premium automobiles, the BMW brand has inherent strength, through our leadership in technology, design and performance. We intend to pursue our course of growth and expansion, with the continuing support of our customers and our partners, Performance Motors Limited and Trans Eurokars Private Limited," said the Managing Director of BMW Asia, Mr Roland Krueger.
Continued Leadership in Technology and Design
BMW's tradition in technology and design leadership continues – in addition to its victory in the overall ranking of the 2006 "World Car of the Year Award”, the BMW 3 Series also was singled out as one of the three strongest competitors in the specialty category, "World Car Design of the Year”. It also won ‘Car of the Year 2006’ and ‘Best Compact Executive’ at the prestigious What Car? Car of the Year 2006 awards and 'Best User Chooser Car' in the UK industry renowned Fleet World Honours. The BMW 525i SE added to BMW’s roll of honour by being awarded ‘Best Executive’ car for the third year in a row at the What Car of the Year awards. It was the 10th time in the last 11 years that the 5 Series has won its category.
The BMW M5 engine took the International Engine of the Year 2006 for a standard-setting second consecutive year. BMW also won Awards for its Z4 M 3.2-litre and twin-turbodiesel 3-litre in this year’s competition, walking away from the eighth annual International Engine of the Year Awards Presentation with a total of five trophies, its re-crowned V10 having also dominated the Best Performance Engine and Best Above 4-litre categories.
Said Dr. Michael Ganal, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for sales and marketing: "With the development of our sales in the first six months of 2006, we are still in first place in the competition amongst suppliers of premium automobiles. We will achieve a new record for sales in 2006 as a whole and defend our position as market leader."
*All Singapore sales figures are derived from the Motor Trader’s Association of Singapore