Mr. M
Tire Trailblazer
By Julian Lim - Feb 9, 2007
AsiaOne
The BMW Group posted record-beating sales in Asia last year, with a fifth Asian production plant on the way.
MINI and Rolls-Royce also registered positive growth last year, with only BMW Motorcycles registering a 0.1 per cent drop in sales. In fact, Rolls-Royce sales figures in 2006 were the highest ever in 16 years, with over 800 cars retailed to over 50 countries last years.
REGIONAL BITES
In mainland China alone, sales of BMW and MINI spiked by 50%, from just over 24,000 vehicles sold last year, to 36,357 this year. Neighbour, Korea also registered double-digit growth (10 per cent) with 7,250 vehicles sold.
In Japan, the largest individual market of BMW Group in Asia, a record-breaking 62,068 vehicles were sold, a 5.6 per cent increase over last year. Special commemorative editions for BMW Japan's 25th anniversary would also have helped convince buyers to buy bavarian.
Singapore sales were led once again by the popular 3 and 5 Series, with numerous 7 Series sold in "almost new" conditions after some 451 of them were used to ferry delegates during the IMF and World Bank Meetings last year.
In the Philippines, BMW Group commanded a 53 per cent market share of the relatively small premium segment, with only 803 units sold, one car more than last year.
Political turmoil in Thailand saw a 14% slide in overall sales of premium cars, but the BMW Group still managed double-digit growth in this depressed market, the highest among the premium brands.
Similarly, Malaysia's declining premium market failed to stop the BMW Group registering positive growth, with an 8 per cent increase on sales to 3,472 cars delivered last year.
The only regional market registering a decline in year-on-year beemer sales was Indonesia, with only 1,562 cars sold, a drop of 58 per cent. The fall was attributed to "economic pressures", although brand equity seems to have improved, with numerous titles bestowed on the 325I and 730Li.
GOING FORWARD
Still, overall demand and sales projections dictate that a fifth production plant be built in Chennai, Southern India, with production of the 3 series beginning as early as end-March 2007. The 5-Series will follow in May. To support growth in the Indian market, 600 jobs will be created to cater to retail and servicing needs.
Speaking at a press briefing this morning, Dr Michael Ganal, from BMW AG's Board of Management reinforced BMW's focus on the region.
"The BMW Group considers itself a long-term partner in Asia. We are going to strengthen our presence in the individual markets in the years to come. We will continue our product and market initiative and invest further," he said.
With such impressive sales figures, what else is there to aim for? Quite a lot apparently.
"This year, we already plan to meet our 2008 target of 1.4 million vehicles, " declared Dr Ganal.
To further entice the affluent driver or would-be driver to part with their money, BMW will introduce the new 3 Series Coupe, the new MINI, the Z4 Coupe and the Z4 M Coupe, and the new X5 later this year.
http://motoring.asiaone.com.sg/news/20070209_002.html
AsiaOne
The BMW Group posted record-beating sales in Asia last year, with a fifth Asian production plant on the way.
MINI and Rolls-Royce also registered positive growth last year, with only BMW Motorcycles registering a 0.1 per cent drop in sales. In fact, Rolls-Royce sales figures in 2006 were the highest ever in 16 years, with over 800 cars retailed to over 50 countries last years.
REGIONAL BITES
In mainland China alone, sales of BMW and MINI spiked by 50%, from just over 24,000 vehicles sold last year, to 36,357 this year. Neighbour, Korea also registered double-digit growth (10 per cent) with 7,250 vehicles sold.
In Japan, the largest individual market of BMW Group in Asia, a record-breaking 62,068 vehicles were sold, a 5.6 per cent increase over last year. Special commemorative editions for BMW Japan's 25th anniversary would also have helped convince buyers to buy bavarian.
Singapore sales were led once again by the popular 3 and 5 Series, with numerous 7 Series sold in "almost new" conditions after some 451 of them were used to ferry delegates during the IMF and World Bank Meetings last year.
In the Philippines, BMW Group commanded a 53 per cent market share of the relatively small premium segment, with only 803 units sold, one car more than last year.
Political turmoil in Thailand saw a 14% slide in overall sales of premium cars, but the BMW Group still managed double-digit growth in this depressed market, the highest among the premium brands.
Similarly, Malaysia's declining premium market failed to stop the BMW Group registering positive growth, with an 8 per cent increase on sales to 3,472 cars delivered last year.
The only regional market registering a decline in year-on-year beemer sales was Indonesia, with only 1,562 cars sold, a drop of 58 per cent. The fall was attributed to "economic pressures", although brand equity seems to have improved, with numerous titles bestowed on the 325I and 730Li.
GOING FORWARD
Still, overall demand and sales projections dictate that a fifth production plant be built in Chennai, Southern India, with production of the 3 series beginning as early as end-March 2007. The 5-Series will follow in May. To support growth in the Indian market, 600 jobs will be created to cater to retail and servicing needs.
Speaking at a press briefing this morning, Dr Michael Ganal, from BMW AG's Board of Management reinforced BMW's focus on the region.
"The BMW Group considers itself a long-term partner in Asia. We are going to strengthen our presence in the individual markets in the years to come. We will continue our product and market initiative and invest further," he said.
With such impressive sales figures, what else is there to aim for? Quite a lot apparently.
"This year, we already plan to meet our 2008 target of 1.4 million vehicles, " declared Dr Ganal.
To further entice the affluent driver or would-be driver to part with their money, BMW will introduce the new 3 Series Coupe, the new MINI, the Z4 Coupe and the Z4 M Coupe, and the new X5 later this year.
http://motoring.asiaone.com.sg/news/20070209_002.html
