BMW Group’s sales in the Middle East rose 11 per cent in 2015 over the previous year, with 33,516 BMW and Mini cars sold across 12 countries. 

The UAE was the best market with 20,090 cars delivered to customers across all the emirates, followed by Saudi Arabia with 4,125. Other strong performers included Kuwait with 2,845 and Qatar with 1,756 car sales. 

Meanwhile, the biggest individual growth came from Lebanon with a 42 per cent increase, followed by Abu Dhabi with 36 per cent, Jordan with 28 per cent, Oman with 13 per cent and Qatar with 10 per cent sales growth.  

Johannes Seibert, Managing Director for BMW Group Middle East, said: “Our year-end performance shows a healthy growth across the region, underlining the unwavering confidence that customers have in our brands. Our portfolio of exceptional products and innovative technologies, as well as the excellent retail services offered by our importers, have proven the ideal combination and are all driving factors behind our success.   

The brand’s top-end models continue to be in demand, with the BMW X model family playing a key role in the brand’s growth. All remained strong competitors within their respective segments and accounted for 55 per cent of the total sales – the BMW X5 alone sold over 10,109 cars. 

The newest member of the family, the BMW X1, made its Middle East debut at the 2015 Dubai International Motor Show, and is expected to further drive sales of the range in 2016 with its increased space for passengers and luggage, a cutting-edge premium ambience and functionality grounded in solid engineering. 

Another best-seller was the all-new sixth generation flagship BMW 7 Series, which went on sale last October. Its combination of state-of-the-art comfort with dynamic agility and styling alongside innovative design and technology features both inside and out is already driving interest across the region which is expected to continue into 2016. 

The Middle East also retained its position as the third biggest BMW 7 Series market in the world after China and the US.

Mini also experienced a successful year in the Middle East with 1,806 cars sold across eight markets, a 12 per cent increase on 2014 figures. Model sales were driven by the Mini Countryman – the first Mini with optional ALL4 All-wheel drive making it ideal for tackling both urban and off-road terrains – followed by the Mini Hatch, which accounted for 66 per cent of the total sales and the Mini John Cooper Works, its third biggest seller. 

The all-new Mini Clubman, which was recently unveiled to regional audiences at the Dubai International Motor Show, marks a new chapter in the brand’s illustrious history, perfectly embodying Mini’s new, more grown-up visual identity. It offers increased dimensions both inside and out, and a spacious and matured design. 

With its three brands BMW, Mini and Rolls-Royce, the BMW Group is a leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. 

In 2015, the BMW Group sold approximately 2.247 million cars and nearly 137,000 motorcycles worldwide.