Abu Dhabi - Abu Dhabi Motors, the exclusive importer for BMW, BMW Alpina, MINI and Rolls-Royce in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, has reaffirmed its commitment to expansion in the emirate with the opening of a new state-of-the-art showroom and service centre in Al Ain.

The launch demonstrates Abu Dhabi Motors’ commitment to its customers in the emirate and confidence in the strength of the BMW Group brands, which have seen continuous strong demand in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain.

The new facility in Al Ain, located on Al Ain Street in the Sanaiya area, includes special facilities for new and used car sales, a body shop, training room, parts department and a service centre which boasts 50 work-bays and 43 skilled employees. On Saturdays, it will also provide the exclusive BMW Fast Lane Service, a concept designed to cater for the regular servicing requirements or Condition Based Servicing (CBS) requirements of all new BMW models and is conducted within a two hour period.

“The opening of this showroom and service centre is another milestone for Abu Dhabi Motors,” said Arno Husselmann, General Manager, Abu Dhabi Motors. “We have led the way in quality servicing and customer relations since our modest beginnings two decades ago as a showroom and workshop in Umm Al-Nar employing just 24 people. Now, Abu Dhabi Motors employs over 300 people in ten different facilities around Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, and we are proud to introduce the Al Ain facility as a continuation of this organic growth.”

“We are also delighted to bring Fast Lane Service to Al Ain, as it allows us to provide a fast turnaround for our customers without the inconvenience of pre-booking and waiting for days to get the car back. We already have this service at Umm Al Nar as it provides our customers with the added value that they have grown accustomed to from a premium luxury brand like BMW,” Husselmann added.

Abu Dhabi Motors offers a host of services to provide added value to its customers and keep the cost of car ownership to a minimum, including the BMW Service Inclusive Ultimate package (BSI Ultimate) which covers all major servicing for BMW for the first 5 years, or 100,000kms, including wear and tear parts that are beyond the standard warranty, costs for labour, original BMW replacement parts and top-up oil.

The Abu Dhabi Motors showroom and service centre in Al Ain is open from 8am to 6pm for servicing and 9am to 9pm for sales.

07.02.2010

Adding to its range of driver assistance technologies that bring unmatched driver engagement, handling and safety features to the luxury performance segment, BMW Group Middle East has launched the industry’s first Arabic-language iDrive control system. The system will be available as a standard feature for most BMW models fitted with navigation, and will be available to customers in the Middle East region from early May.

The BMW iDrive control system has an up to 10.2 inch Control Display with standardised menu guidance that grants easy access to the radio/CD, telecommunication functions and satellite navigation and others. The interface for the satellite navigation system comprising maps, menus, directions, data entry and voice guidance. All these functions are provided in Arabic with a male Arabic voice, and with an option to switch to English and other languages.

The BMW onboard navigation system is extremely easy to operate and guides you quickly and directly to your destination. Your current location is established automatically by the navigator with the help of the Global Positioning System (GPS), down to an accuracy of 10 metres. Using this information, the system calculates the best route to your destination, and guides you step by step to your goal. Instructions are given visually as easy-to-follow arrows, and/or as clear verbal instructions over the sound system.

Hamid Haqparwar, Manager Product & Price for BMW Group Middle East, says: “We are very excited to bring this new feature to our Arabic customers in the Middle East. This project has been a few years in the making and we have invested a considerable amount into research and development, which proves our ongoing commitment to servicing our Arabic-language customers with an added driver-assist benefit.“
For more information on model availability and pricing, please contact the local BMW importer.

24.02.2010

• 98% of children in the UAE are not restrained when they travel
• Traffic accidents accounted for 63% of all child deaths in the UAE in 2009
• Road traffic accidents account for 67% of all injury-related deaths in the capital
• Commitment to give away 10,000 child safety booster cushions

Dubai – BMW Group Middle East, supported by the Health Authority of Abu Dhabi (HAAD), the Road and Transport Authority of Dubai (RTA), Abu Dhabi Municipality and Dubai Municipality, has launched its ‘Stay Alert. Stay Alive.’ road safety initiative in a bid to raise awareness of the importance of various road safety issues.

Following an independent survey of BMW and MINI customers to help identify what prompts drivers in the GCC region to take risks in their vehicles, BMW Group Middle East has identified the use of seat-belts, and in particular, appropriate child restraints, as the theme of its first campaign under the initiative that is aimed at increasing road safety awareness across the board.

BMW Group Middle East is initially launching the ‘Stay Alert. Stay Alive.’ campaign in the UAE with the aim to then implement the campaign across the GCC. Working closely with BMW Group importers, the campaign will be multi-faceted and will focus on many attitudinal road safety issues including seat belts and child restraints, speeding, fatigue, driver distraction (such as mobile phones) and reckless driving. The integrated campaign will use PR, advertising (print and radio) and marketing tactics. Awareness Days in local parks and at BMW importer showrooms will be used to give away 10,000 child safety booster cushions across the region and to demonstrate the correct use of child safety seats in vehicles.

Speaking at a press conference to launch the campaign, Phil Horton, Managing Director of BMW Group Middle East, says: “As part of our commitment to help improve road safety in the region, we are launching an initiative to help drivers understand about safe driving habits and particularly, occupant safety and restraint systems.

“BMW Group Middle East believes that everyone should be fully aware of how best to protect themselves and their children against the dangers posed by driving. We all have a role to play – the government, automotive companies, and the general public. Without a doubt, the simplest way for drivers and passengers to protect themselves is to buckle-up every time.”

Over 70% of GCC drivers surveyed by BMW Group Middle East said that they travel with their children or families, with many of these admitting that they and their passengers did not use seat belts all the time, especially those sat in the rear. When it came to protecting children, 94% of respondents said that it was important for children to use restraints but 37% confessed that their children didn’t use them. In fact, most admitted to holding their children in their arms as a passenger, an extremely dangerous practice.

According to a study conducted by the UAE University in 2008, 98% of children travelling in a car were not restrained and 23% of children travelled in the front seat, which is actually illegal in the UAE for children below the age of ten. In the same study on average only 29% of drivers wore seat belts.

According to HAAD, 454 people, including 44 children, died of road traffic injuries in Abu Dhabi in 2009. This accounts for 67% of all deaths from injuries and therefore makes road traffic injuries the leading cause of injury death. Abu Dhabi still has one of the world’s highest rates of road death – an incidence of 20.2 deaths per 100,000 population in 2009.

Until the age of seven, children’s bones are still forming and their skull and ribcage are still extremely flexible. This means that any impact can result in significant deformation of the head and brain, or damage to the heart, lungs and other internal organs. At this age, the pelvis is unstable and cannot withstand the forces from the use of regular seat-belts and therefore appropriate child restraints are essential to reduce the risk of injury.

Dr. Jens Thomsen, Section Head for Occupational and Environmental Health and Head of the HAAD Road Safety Program, Public Health and Research Department at HAAD, says: “It is essential for parents to ensure they use the right restraint for their child’s age and size. There are different seats available and the selection of the appropriate one is crucial to ensuring that children are effectively protected. Children cannot be expected to decide on how best to protect themselves: that responsibility is solely in the hands of their parents. By buying and correctly installing the right car restraints for their children, parents can significantly enhance their protection.”

Child restraints have been shown to reduce infant deaths by approximately 70%, and fatalities by between 54% and 80% in an accident. It is also known that 83% of belted and restrained children remain uninjured in accidents. Booster seats for children aged between four and 11 years old have been shown to reduce the risk of injury by 59% compared to seat belts alone.

In the UAE, and according to 2007 figures from the UAE Ministry of Interior, 29% of all road deaths involve car passengers. This statistic could easily be reversed if drivers insisted on all passengers wearing seat belts.

Peyman Parham Younes, Director Of Marketing and Corporate Communication for Dubai’s RTA, says: “While we have seen a significant improvement in overall road safety and specifically fatal crashes on Dubai roads, there remains a lot of work to be done on achieving the targets set by the RTA, to be in-line with global benchmarks.

"The matter of road safety is a critical responsibility of each and every member of this community, and only with this community voice can there be great change. I urge everyone to join in events such as this one being announced today by BMW and help to make this city safer for its sons and daughters.”

Horton concludes: “A basic criterion for assessing road safety is the accident rate. Our survey found that one out of 10 respondents was involved in a traffic accident in the last 12 months. While the drivers we surveyed were all well aware of the basic factors that affect safe driving and occupant safety, their actual behaviour often puts themselves and their passengers at risk. ”

The ‘Stay Alert. Stay Alive’ Awareness Days will be held on Friday 02 April 2010 at the Abu Dhabi Corniche, and Friday 09 April at the Dubai Creekside Park, in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Municipality and Dubai Municipality, as well as BMW importers Abu Dhabi Motors and AGMC. BMW Group Middle East will be giving away 4,000 child safety booster cushions at these two events.

23.03.2010

UAE – As part of its ‘Stay Alert. Stay Alive’ road safety campaign launched in the UAE last week aimed at educating families about the importance of wearing seat belts and using child safety restraints in vehicles, BMW Group Middle East, supported by the Health Authority of Abu Dhabi (HAAD), the Road and Transport Authority of Dubai (RTA), Abu Dhabi Municipality and Dubai Municipality, has announced it will be hosting two road safety public awareness days.

Taking place on Friday 2nd April on the Abu Dhabi Corniche, and then on Friday 9th April at the Dubai Creek Park, from 10am-8pm, BMW Group Middle East will be providing interactive demonstrations on the correct installation and use of child safety restraints, as well as distributing 4,000 child safety booster cushions to qualifying families. There will also be fun activities such as face painting and giveaways for children. Educational brochures will be provided to parents, which give a definitive guide on the correct use of seat belts and child safety restraints in vehicles.

Speaking about the event, Phil Horton, Managing Director of BMW Group Middle East said: “Safeguarding the life of a child is every parent’s first and foremost responsibility. In fact it is a matter of life and death. By using the right car restraints for their children, parents can significantly enhance their protection. I urge all parents in the UAE to take action on this critical subject and work towards reducing the high levels of child fatalities and injuries that persistently occur in this country.”

The ‘Stay Alert. Stay Alive’ campaign was launched following an independent survey of BMW and MINI customers to help identify what prompts drivers in the GCC region to take risks in their vehicles. BMW Group Middle East found the use of seat belts, and in particular, appropriate child safety restraints, to be one of the key issues affecting safe driving habits in this region. As a result the theme of the first campaign under the Stay Alert. Stay Alive. Initiative is aimed at increasing awareness about the use of seatbelts and child safety restraints among parents and families.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), child safety restraints have been shown to reduce infant deaths by approximately 70%, and fatalities by between 54% and 80% in an accident. It is also known that 83% of belted and restrained children remain uninjured in accidents. Child safety booster cushions for children aged between four and 11 years old have been shown to reduce the risk of injury by 59% compared to seat belts alone.

In addition to the road safety public awareness days, BMW Group importers in the UAE, Abu Dhabi Motors and AGMC, will also invite the public to avail of the complimentary booster cushions.
• 4th to 8th April Abu Dhabi Motor’s Khalidiya Showroom
• 11th to 15th April, AGMC, Dubai Showroom

To qualify for a ‘Stay Alert. Stay Alive.’ child safety booster cushion, children must weigh between 22 and 36 kg, the internationally recognised safest weights. Both road safety public awareness days will be held between the hours of 10am and 8pm. Locations include:
• 2nd April, Abu Dhabi Corniche, next to the Family Beach Park
• 9th April, Dubai Creek Park, Gate 1 next to the kids park area

31.03.2010

UAE – Following a hugely successful Public Awareness day in Dubai’s Creek Park last weekend, BMW Group Middle East, supported by the Health Authority of Abu Dhabi (HAAD), and Abu Dhabi Municipality, has announced it will be hosting its second “Stay Alert. Stay Alive.” road safety public awareness day this Friday on the Abu Dhabi Corniche. The event is aimed at educating families about the importance of wearing seat belts and using child safety restraints in cars.

On Taking place on Friday 16th April on the Abu Dhabi Corniche, from 10am-8pm, BMW Group Middle East will be providing over 2,000 child safety booster cushions to qualifying families. Interactive demonstrations on the correct installation and use of child safety restraints, as well as educational brochures will be provided to parents which give a definitive guide on the correct use of seat belts and child safety restraints in vehicles. There will also be lots of fun activities including face painting and giveaways for children.

Speaking about the event, Phil Horton, Managing Director of BMW Group Middle East said: “Safeguarding the life of their child is every parent’s first and foremost responsibility. By using the right car restraints for their children, parents can significantly enhance their protection. In fact it is a matter of life and death. I urge all parents in the UAE to take action on this critical subject and work towards reducing the high levels of child fatalities and injuries that persistently occur in this country.”

To qualify for a ‘Stay Alert. Stay Alive.’ child safety booster cushion, children must weigh between 22 and 36 kg, the internationally recognised safest weights.

In addition to the road safety public awareness day, BMW Group importer Abu Dhabi Motors will invite the public to avail of the complimentary booster cushions from the 18th to 22nd April at its Khalidiya Showroom.

The ‘Stay Alert. Stay Alive.’ campaign was launched following an independent survey of BMW and MINI customers to help identify what prompts drivers in the GCC region to take risks in their vehicles. BMW Group Middle East found the use of seat belts, and in particular, appropriate child safety restraints, to be one of the key issues affecting safe driving habits in this region. As a result the theme of the first campaign under the ‘Stay Alert. Stay Alive.’ initiative is aimed at increasing awareness about the use of seatbelts and child safety restraints among parents and families.

14.04.2010

Abu Dhabi – Abu Dhabi Motors, the exclusive importer for BMW, MINI and ALPINA as well as the sole dealer for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain has succeeded in becoming BMW Group’s number one retailer of BMW cars in the Middle East for the first five months of 2010.

With January-May sales up 37% compared to the same period in 2009, this result reflects the economic prosperity and confidence in the UAE’s capital as well as the strength of the BMW Group brands in Abu Dhabi.

With a total of 1,356 BMW vehicles sold year-to-date, Abu Dhabi Motors surged ahead in market share against its competitors to hold 50.6% of the total premium segment in Abu Dhabi.

The top selling model was the flagship BMW 7 Series with 443 units sold, an increase of 146% followed by the popular X6 with 319 cars sold, an increase of 9%. The new 5 Series model also performed well with 200 cars sold for the new sixth generation model, a 200% increase over January-May figures last year. "Our figures could have been higher were it not for the fact that we are completely sold out on certain models," said Arno Husselmann, General Manager, Abu Dhabi Motors.

“This has been an exciting year so far and we have worked extremely hard to achieve these results, a testament to all the staff at Abu Dhabi Motors. Our success results from the fact that BMW products have a strong brand image and lead in safety, technology and overall performance, whilst having strong re-sale values and cost effective service and maintenance.

"In fact, services, repairs and maintenance are free for BMW cars up to 5 years or 100,000km thanks to BMW Service Inclusive Ultimate package. The only exclusions here are insurance costs, tyres and fuel. Similarly, we have also just launched the MINI Service XXL package which covers all MINI servicing, repairs and maintenance for a period of five years or 70,000km.

“We are working on a number of projects including the expansion of our flagship showroom for all our BMW Group brands that will include the largest showroom in the world for Rolls-Royce, so that we can deliver even higher standards of customer appreciation”, added Arno Husselmann, General Manager, Abu Dhabi Motors.

Abu Dhabi Motors has traditionally been a strong performer for BMW Group brands regarding customer satisfaction results in the Middle East. Our cars have the highest levels of technology and options and our services are highly regarded, and we only employ and retain the best staff, continually training them to achieve even higher standards.

Rolls-Royce sales have nearly doubled in the first five months of 2010 in comparison to the same period in 2009, with this achievement particularly attributed to the arrival of the new Rolls-Royce Ghost and the sustained demand for unique Bespoke Phantoms.

This year so far, Abu Dhabi Motors has introduced six totally new BMW models that include the ActiveHybrid X6 and ActiveHybrid 7, BMW Gran Turismo and BMW 5 Series, the BMW X1 and new modified BMW X5 which has the same turbo engine range as the BMW X6 models, known as BMW X5 xDrive35i and BMW X5 xDrive50i.

13.06.2010

• BMW 7 Series remains the top selling model in Abu Dhabi
• Abu Dhabi Motors sells the highest number of cars for the BMW brand
• Exclusive dealer trebles Rolls-Royce sales in first half 2010

Abu Dhabi - Abu Dhabi Motors, the exclusive importer for BMW, MINI, BMW ALPINA and sole dealer for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, has announced a 38 % increase in BMW and more than 200% in Rolls-Royce sales for the first six months of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. Abu Dhabi also became the number one importer for BMW, with the highest number of vehicles sold across the region in the first half of 2010 and achieved the second highest volume sales worldwide for Rolls-Royce in the same period.

A total of 1,707 BMW and MINI cars were delivered to customers, and the flagship BMW 7 Series remained the top selling model in the capital with 506 cars sold, an increase of 95%, followed by the BMW X5 with 362 cars sold, an increase of 11%. Meanwhile the BMW X6 Sports Activity Coupé, a popular model in the Emirate, achieved sales of 348 cars, a growth of 5%. Each of these models, the BMW 7 Series, the BMW X6 and X5, remain the global market leaders in their respective segments.

During the first half of the year, Abu Dhabi Motors trebled its sales of Rolls-Royce vehicles in comparison to the same period in 2009, a growth of over 200%. This achievement is particularly attributed to the arrival of the new Rolls-Royce Ghost and sustained demand for unique Bespoke Phantom vehicles. Abu Dhabi Motors was also confirmed as selling the richest ‘Bespoke’ specifications in the world as well as being the second best selling dealership worldwide, signalling the demand for the brand in the UAE’s capital.

Also contributing to Abu Dhabi’s solid performance was the BMW 5 Series, with sales of 305 cars marking an increase of 158%. Launched in March earlier this year, the new BMW 5 Series combines sporting and elegant design, excellent comfort, the highest standard in efficiency in its class and sets the benchmark in driving dynamics and safety having recently achieved five stars in the Euro NCAP vehicle safety assessment programme. Abu Dhabi Motors is also the top-selling Importer of Alpina and AC Schnitzer cars and products in the Middle East.

The MINI brand performed exceptionally well in Abu Dhabi with a 13% increase in sales representing 59 cars sold. The MINI team at Abu Dhabi Motors is now preparing for the opening of new facilities at its existing Umm-Al-Nar Showroom which will include a dedicated MINI state of showroom this coming September.

Commenting on the half-year success, Arno Husselmann, General Manager, Abu Dhabi Motors said: “Our tremendous sales growth over the first six months of this year that has made us the highest volume seller for BMW Group products in the region is largely attributed to the company’s quality offerings and the dedication of our staff during a busy period which saw the arrival of six new BMW models in our showrooms. We are looking forward to the next six months with the initial opening of Phase 1 of our new facilities and we expect to conclude 2010 with the strongest sales performance in the company’s twenty-year history.

In addition to the new MINI facilities, BMW’s global used car programme named BMW Premium Selection, will also welcome new state of the art facilities at the existing Umm-Al-Nar Showroom. These expansion plans are part of a multi-million dollar investment strategy by Abu Dhabi’s leading retailer of premium automobiles and coincides with the recent opening of brand new facilities in Al Ain, including a new showroom, service and parts centre.

As part of this investment strategy, substantial focus has also been placed on the training, development and recruitment of staff to ensure Abu Dhabi Motors maintains its leading position as BMW Group Middle East’s number one retailer as well as its position of the Importer with the highest Customer Satisfaction ratings.

27.07.2010

Abu Dhabi –Abu Dhabi Motors, the exclusive importer for BMW, BMW Alpina, MINI and the authorized Rolls-Royce Motor Cars dealer in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, has today announced the expansion of its service operations with the opening of a Quick Service Centre in the Mussafah area of Abu Dhabi.

Latest figures from the importer have revealed a 38% increase in sales for the first half of 2010, clearly demonstrating an increase in customer demand. The addition of these facilities is a committed effort to provide high quality after-sales services for all its customers.

Located on the main road adjacent to Abu Dhabi Motor’s existing Body Shop Centre, the Mussafah Centre will become a permanent facility due to the growing importance of the Mussafah area and its convenient location. The facility is set to house an expansive showroom for BMW and MINI vehicles in addition to BMW Parts and Accessories sales department.

Arno Husselmann, General Manager of Abu Dhabi Motors said: “Through the opening of our new Quick Service Centre in Mussafah, we are able to support the company’s growth whilst maintaining the highest quality of service that our customers are accustomed to. The new facility will ensure a reliable and quick turnaround time, without the inconvenience of pre-booking or waiting for your car. Our location in Mussafah is only five minutes from Umm Al Nar.”

Abu Dhabi Motors has also opened the first phase of the new Umm Al Nar service centre and workshop, which includes a host of new facilities to improve customer care, including separate men and ladies waiting rooms and a full coffee bar. The capacity of the workshop will be reduced over the next two months as the exclusive importer continues to transform it into a state-of-the-art facility that will open next year. To keep customer inconvenience to a minimum, the new Quick Service Centre in Mussafah will handle all quick service operations including oil changes and replacement of spark plugs and brakes.

The opening of the facilities in Mussafah once again demonstrates Abu Dhabi Motors’ commitment to its customers and the strength of the BMW Group brands which have seen year on year growth in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain.

“Since inception in 1990, Abu Dhabi Motor’s mission has been to lead the way in quality servicing and customer relations and has done so successfully. In 2011, we will further build on this commitment with the expansion of our existing Body Shop Centre to double capacity.” Husselmann added.

The Abu Dhabi Motors Quick Service Centre in Mussafah is open from 8 am to 6 pm for more information Phone +971 2 554 7755.

05.09.2010

Following a series of successful road safety awareness drives earlier this year, BMW has teamed up with the Emirates Motor Sports Federation (EMSF) and UAE traffic police to help continue its ‘Stay Alert. Stay Alive‘ initiative and encourage drivers to use seat-belts and child car seats.

Together with its importers AGMC and Abu Dhabi Motors, BMW is sponsoring this year‘s Caltex RoadStar Contest, a four day road safety event where a police officer and event organizers patrol the UAE streets in a BMW Gran Turismo model in search of good drivers. Motorists spotted respecting traffic regulations and demonstrating safe driving habits, in particular the use of seat-belts and child seat restraints, receive an instant cash prize.

According to a survey conducted by BMW Group Middle East on road safety and driving habits in the UAE, 98% of children are not restrained when they travel and traffic accidents accounted for 63% of all child deaths in the UAE in 2009.

Aimed at educating families about the importance of wearing seat-belts and using child safety restraints in cars, BMW will also be giving away booster cushions for children between the ages of 6-11 years and weighing between 22 and 36kg - the internationally recognised safest weights.

So far, BMW Group has given away over 3,000 booster cushions to families across the Emirates as part of its ‘Stay Alert. Stay Alive’ initiative; a few hundred more seats are expected to be distributed during the Caltex RoadStar Contest.

The Caltex Roadster Contest is from 26th – 30th September in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah. BMW is urging motorists to be responsible and make sure that all passengers are safely buckled-up and children are in child car seats.

Visit the AGMC or Abu Dhabi Motors showrooms to find out more details about the correct use of child car seats.

30.09.2010

Abu Dhabi - Abu Dhabi Motors, the exclusive importer for BMW, MINI, BMW ALPINA and sole dealer for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, has announced a 40% increase in BMW and MINI sales, and more than 260% increase in Rolls-Royce sales for the first nine months of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. Abu Dhabi also became the number one importer for BMW, with the highest number of vehicles sold to date across the region, and achieved the second highest volume sales worldwide for Rolls-Royce in the same period.

In the period between January and September this year, Abu Dhabi Motors sold 2,323 BMW and MINI cars, a growth of 40% over the same period last year. It also more than doubled its sales of Rolls-Royce vehicles in comparison to the same period in 2009, an exceptional growth of 261%. This achievement is particularly attributed to the arrival of the new Rolls-Royce Ghost and sustained demand for unique Bespoke Phantom vehicles. Abu Dhabi Motors was also confirmed as the best seller of the richest ‘Bespoke’ specifications in the world as well as being the second best selling dealership worldwide, signalling the high demand for the brand in the UAE’s capital.

Also contributing to Abu Dhabi’s solid performance was the all-new BMW 5 Series, with 556 cars sold, an increase of 252%. Launched in March this year, the new BMW 5 Series combines sporting and elegant design, excellent comfort, the highest standard in efficiency in its class and sets the benchmark in driving dynamics and safety having recently achieved five stars in the Euro NCAP vehicle safety assessment programme. Abu Dhabi Motors is also the top-selling Importer of Alpina and AC Schnitzer cars and products in the Middle East.

The BMW 7 Series continued to be one of the most popular models in the BMW Group portfolio, with 706 cars sold – a growth of 64%, while the BMW X6 achieved growth of 10% with 571 vehicles sold.

The MINI brand also performed exceptionally well, achieving growth of 15% with 90 vehicles sold. Abu Dhabi Motors is now preparing for the opening of its new dedicated MINI facility at its existing Umm-Al-Nar Showroom, which is scheduled to open in 2011.

Commenting on the half-year success, Arno Husselmann, General Manager, Abu Dhabi Motors said: “Our tremendous sales growth over the first eight months of this year has made us the highest volume seller for BMW Group products in the region is largely attributed to the company’s quality offerings and the dedication of our staff during a busy period which saw the arrival of six new BMW models in our showrooms.

In addition to the new MINI facilities, BMW’s global used car programme named BMW Premium Selection, will also welcome new state of the art facilities at the existing Umm-Al-Nar Showroom. These expansion plans are part of a multi-million dollar investment strategy by Abu Dhabi’s leading retailer of premium automobiles and coincides with the recent opening of brand new facilities in Al Ain, including a new showroom, service and parts centre.

As part of this investment strategy, substantial focus has also been placed on the training, development and recruitment of staff to ensure Abu Dhabi Motors maintains its leading position as BMW Group Middle East’s number one retailer as well as its position of the Importer with the highest Customer Satisfaction ratings.

“We are looking forward to the remaining four months of 2010 with the initial opening of Phase 1 of our new facilities and we expect to conclude 2010 with the strongest sales performance in the company’s twenty-year history,” concluded Husselmann.

27.10.2010

Following the 2010 red dot design award, the BMW 5 Series Sedan also takes the 2011 prize from the German Design Council.

Munich. The new BMW 5 Series Sedan has won Silver in the 2011 Design Award of the Federal Republic of Germany, presented annually by the German Design Council. The country’s most prestigious prize for product design is one of several honors already bestowed by the Design Council in recognition of the excellence of BMW Group Design. The Design Award of the Federal Republic of Germany is sponsored by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology and will be presented at a public ceremony in Frankfurt on 11 February 2011.

The presentation forms part of the opening event of Ambient, the world’s biggest trade fair for consumer goods.

Since its launch in 1969, the Design Award of the Federal Republic of Germany has been conferred each year on outstanding international achievements in the categories of product and communication design, as well as on a personality from the world of design and on up-and-coming young talent. The winners are chosen by an independent jury consisting of ten representatives from industry, academia, design and the media, who are appointed by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology. The selection criteria for the design award are rigorous: all entries must already have received a national or international award and must embody trends and developments with a defining impact on future design. A further entry criterion is the nomination by the Trade and Industry Ministries and Senators of the federal states or by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology.

The design of the new BMW 5 Series Sedan deftly translates the vehicle’s attributes into an authentic formal language. Sheer presence and stylish elegance lend expression to the Sedan’s premium quality and outstanding ride comfort. Its sporty driving characteristics are reflected in the dynamic lines of its bodywork and the overall impression is that of a thoroughly athletic automobile.

The Superior aesthetics of the new BMW 5 Series Sedan are also conveyed by its perfectly balanced proportions and meticulously executed details.

The unique quality of BMW Group Design has already been recognised several times over by the Design Award of the Federal Republic of Germany. In 2010 this “prize of prizes” went to the Kinetic Sculpture of the BMW Museum (Gold), in 2009 it was awarded to the BMW HP2 Sport motorcycle (Silver), in 2008 to the BMW G650 Xcountry motorcycle (Gold), and in 2007 to the BMW Cruise Bike (Silver).

For the new BMW 5 Series Sedan this is not the first award of the year: in 2010 its exceptional design already resoundingly persuaded the jury of the internationally renowned red dot awards.

03.11.2010

Munich. By launching the new BMW 5 Series Sedan, the German premium automobile manufacturer is setting new standards not only in aesthetics and driving pleasure, but also in safety. This exceptional position has now found renewed and impressive testimony in the US NCAP crash test. The BMW 5 Series Sedan is the first vehicle that was awarded straight away the highest number of points, 5 stars, in the new and considerably more stringent test procedure of the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The same number of points had already been awarded previously to this four door model in the Euro NCAP crash test. Moreover, the BMW 5 Series Sedan ranks among the first winners in Europe that Euro NCAP experts have honoured in addition with a special award, in recognition of its Assist Advanced eCall, an advanced emergency call system with automatic localisation and accident severity detection. In the USA too, the new BMW 5 Series received yet another honour for outstanding passenger protection: the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) voted it the Top Safety Pick on the strength of its top grades in all test categories.

This double award of 5 stars and the additional honours all reflect the outstandingly high safety level of the new BMW 5 Series Sedan that will be meeting the complex requirements on the international autombile markets. As a global provider of premium cars, BMW develops for all of its models fully integrated safety concepts that are not optimised solely for specific test procedures, but whose safety scope and quality provide the basis for excellent results in all relevant crash tests throughout the world. This ensures the maximum of protection not only for the dummy in the laboratory, but also for thevehicle’s occupants in actual traffic conditions when a critical situation arises or a collision is unavoidable.

Following extensive revisions this year, the US NCAP crash test was performed on a total of 33 current models from American, German, and Asian manufacturers. The tests included e.g. a head-on collision with a solid obstacle, two side collisions, and a rollover scenario. The crash test properties are assessed in particular with respect to occupant cell stability, safety equipment scope and effectiveness, and risk of injury to occupants as determined by the sensors fitted on the dummies.

New to the program is a so-called pole side impact, and in addition there was a significant increase in the stringency of thresholds relevant to top score achievability. As one of the consequences, vehicles that had been awarded top marks earlier under the previous test conditions were being downgraded by the NHTSA in some cases to as low as three stars. Whereas in earlier years, up to 90% of all tested vehicles were being awarded five stars, this year saw only two of thirty three models. Solely the new BMW 5 Series Sedan passed the demanding test program straight away with an overall grade of five stars. Another vehicle was likewise honoured with top grades following a second test run with subsequently optimised safety measures, but all other models achieved only two to four stars in the overall assessment.

For the new BMW 5 Series Sedan, the series is continuing the line of outstanding ratings from renowned safety testing institutes. Previously too, in extensive crash tests analogous to the traffic safety administration NHTSA, the US institute IIHS funded by the insurance sector had already awarded top marks to the Sedan for its occupant safety. One special feature of this test program is the lateral impact of a 1.5 t deformable barrier at a particularly high point on the vehicle’s side, simulating thereby a side collision with an SUV. In addition, the IIHS also utilises a roof strength test to investigate the stability of this structure in rollover scenarios. Having achieved the best grade in all test categories, the BMW 5 Series was voted Top Safety Pick.

The IIHS panel classified both the crash test properties and the safety equipment of the Sedan as exemplary. For instance, the crash active headrests fitted as standard prove to be a particularly effective measure for reducing the risk of whiplash injuries in the event of a rear collision. On this point the IIHS confirmed the positive judgment that the seats of the new BMW 5 Series Sedan had already received previously in the Euro NCAP crash test.

In Europe too, the positive ratings reach beyond the overall assessment of 5 stars. The new BMW 5 Series Sedan was the very first vehicle to achieve 100% in the safety equipment category of the Euro NCAP crash test. In the Euro NCAP pedestrian protection category, with a far higher priority than in the US program, the BMW 5 Series could likewise achieve the best score to date. The Sedan’s active engine compartment lid rises automatically during a collision with a pedestrian or cyclist, presenting an enlarged crumple zone for reduced risk of injury.

Moreover, this institution funded by European governments, automobile associations, and insurance companies is expanding its assessment program this year to include for the first time safety relevant technologies that are not being considered yet in the scope of previous crash tests. These innovative safety systems to a stringent test procedure that is intended to verify a perceptible gain in safety for actual accident situations. In the case of the new BMW 5 Series Sedan, this Euro NCAP Advanced Award went to the Assist Advanced eCall, an advanced emergency call system with automatic localisation and accident severity detection by BMW ConnectedDrive. In the event of a collision, this function automatically alerts emergency services and transmits additional data serving to locate the vehicle and assess the potential risk of injury to the occupants.

07.11.2010