BMW Sales up 18.9 Percent for 2004
BMW Malaysia records a 18.9 percent growth in 2004Strong performance in all segments
Kuala Lumpur, 24 January 2005 – BMW Malaysia Sdn Bhd, the Malaysian subsidiary of the BMW Group, today announced a surge in sales of 18.9 percent for the year 2004.
Wolfgang Schlimme, Managing Director, BMW Malaysia Sdn Bhd said, in its first full year of operations, the Group recorded total sales of 2,577 units compared with 2,167 units in the previous year.
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| The Newly Introduced BMW 1 Series |
“Not only have we managed to achieve strong sales growth overall, more importantly this growth is founded on the fact that we have performed well in all the segments we compete in and clearly gained market share. The path to leadership is to grow faster than your competitors and this we have clearly done,” he said.
The highlight of the year; the BMW 7 Series recorded an astounding 56.5 percent increase in sales, matching its closest competitor and staking its claim for leadership within the luxury limousine segment.
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| 7- Series was very successful. |
“The performance of the 7 Series last year summarizes for us the strides we have made since entering Malaysia in 2003. While we were always dominating the very high end V-8 segment, the introduction of the BMW 730Li really consolidated our position. Customers have come to see the BMW 7 Series as the modern interpretation of the luxury limousine offering a perfect balance of product and prestige” he added.
BMW Malaysia also recorded equally significant performances across its other product lines.
Despite the introduction of many new models within its segment, the BMW 3 Series, which was in its last full production year remained BMW Malaysia’s bestseller and continued its strong performance.
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| The BMW 3 series, BMW Malaysia’s bestseller. |
The BMW 5 Series had its best year ever in Malaysia with an impressive growth of 47.3 percent. The 5 Series line-up was strengthened in 2004 with the introduction of four new models including the first diesel-engined BMW to be introduced in Malaysia – the award-winning BMW 530d.
“The 5 Series segment is becoming increasingly important for us and, in 2004, we made necessary investments which allowed us to introduce, CKD versions of the new 5 Series. Leveraging on this investment, we expect to continue growing in this segment,” said Schlimme.
The sales growth of MINI, a BMW Group brand, was nothing short of phenomenal as it more than doubled compared with 2003. Last year, a total of 164 units were sold, up 128 percent from the 72 units sold in the previous year.
Whilst recording strong growth in established market segments, BMW Malaysia has also continued to develop and innovate new and emerging segments.
In the BMW-pioneered Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) segment, BMW SAV sales grew 59.1 percent with the introduction of the BMW X3 and a face-lifted X5 line-up. The BMW 1 Series also made its debut in 2004, marking BMW’s entry into the premium compact segment.
“Developing and innovating new segments is a core element of the BMW Group’s global strategy as we leverage the existing trend towards greater individualization and customization of products. The X5 is one of the best examples of this as it has sealed its position,” said Schlimme.
“Looking forward to 2005, we will strive to sustain this growth momentum as we continue developing our successful strategy of providing customers with more choices and speedier access to our products,” he commented.
