Alfardan Auto sales increase 21% in ’12

Building on its impressive performance in the first three months of the year, Alfardan Automobiles, the official importer of BMW Group in Qatar, has announced a 21% increase in BMW and MINI sales for the first half of 2012 compared to the same period in 2011. Ranking amongst the top-performing Middle East markets in terms of number of cars sold, the BMW Group importer is gearing up for yet another successful year. “We have had a fruitful first six months with the launch of three new models – the first BMW four-door coupé, the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupé, the BMW 3 Series and the sixth MINI family member, the MINI Roadster,” said  Mohammed Kandeel, General Manager of Alfardan Automobiles. “It is evident from our impressive first half sales increase that continued opportunities lie ahead in Qatar and we will continue to do our utmost to ensure we can build upon this success for the remainder of the year.” The flagship BMW 7 Series was the best-selling model .  “The BMW 7 Series is consistently amongst our best-selling cars here in Qatar. It is the epitome of luxury, elegance and innovation, all of which are qualities appreciated and desired by discerning Qatari customers, who are a fundamental factor to our success and we will always be thankful to their  confidence in BMW and work our best to offer them the best in the market of what the luxury market can possibly offer” commented Kandeel. Other best-selling models included the BMW 5 Series with 67% growth, followed by the BMW X5 Sports Activity Vehicle (23%) and the BMW X6 Sports Activity Coupé (19%). The BMW 6 Series was also popular with all three models – the Coupé, Convertible and all-new Gran Coupé – major contributors to the line-up’s 186% sales increase. The newest addition to Alfardan Automobiles’ showroom, the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupé arrived in Qatar in June and is the first four-door coupé in the history of the BMW brand. The aim in the design process of the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupé was to achieve a synergy between the aesthetics and dynamics typical of a BMW Coupé and functional versatility of a four-door sedan. The result is a unique car with a distinctive character but unmistakably a BMW. Reaffirming its position as the fastest growing premium brand in the world as well as in the Middle East; MINI also witnessed record growth during the first six months achieving a 31% increase. Sales were led by the MINI Hatch and the MINI Countryman – the first MINI with four doors and four wheel drive capabilities. Another contributing factor was the March launch of the MINI Roadster. The sixth model addition to the range, the MINI Roadster is the first open-top two-seater MINI and a great example of the brand’s progressive growth over the years to appeal to new audience groups. Kandeel added: “Operating in a dynamic market such as Qatar where customer expectations continue to get higher means that we have to constantly evolve and ensure that we exceed all expectations. The launch of new and refreshed models is just one way of doing this. In fact, this year we have already welcomed some exciting new models to our showroom, including the all-new BMW 3 Series and the first ever four-door coupé, the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupé. With a busy six months ahead of us, including the arrival of the latest generation of the new BMW 7 Series, we are confident that our year-end results will be just as successful.”