BMW Group Middle East has welcomed the all-new BMW 3 Series sedan – the world's best-selling premium car – to the Middle East. The success story of the 3 Series over the past 37 years is set to continue with the powerful new design elements making this model bigger, sportier and more dynamic than ever.

Having sold 12.5 million cars since its launch in 1975, the BMW 3 Series continues to be the BMW Group's best-selling model series, consistently accounting for more than a quarter of the company's global sales. In 2010, every third BMW sold was a 3 Series.

The new powerful design elements include a new BMW face, with flat headlights reaching along as far as the BMW kidney grille. This emphasises the elegantly dynamic design of the new BMW 3 Series, which has increased in length (+93mm), width (front +37mm, rear +47mm) and wheelbase (+50mm) compared to the predecessor model, giving the car an elegant and athletic silhouette.

Inside the new BMW 3 Series, the noticeable increase in space means significant benefit for the rear passengers. The classic BMW interior surfaces and lines flow over the instrument panel towards the front passenger side of the cabin, where they form a smooth and protective border. The cockpit wraps around the driver and ensures that all important functions are within easy reach.

Drive and chassis technology have always been key areas of expertise for the brand, and agility and driving dynamics remain outstanding attributes of the new BMW 3 Series. A choice of two powerful four-cylinder engines: 335i and 328i with an eight-speed automatic gearbox and TwinPower Turbo technology will be available for the new 3 Series offering more EfficientDynamics technology that make the new 3 Series more economical and lower in pollutant emissions compared to the predecessor model.

BMW EfficientDynamics technology includes the new Driving Experience Control switch which comes with four driving programmes allowing the driver to choose between sporty, ultra sporty, comfortable and extremely economical driving. ECO PRO mode, a new feature on the 3 Series, helps drivers maximise fuel economy through their driving style, thereby enabling them to increase the distance they can travel on each tank of fuel.

Under the umbrella of BMW ConnectedDrive, features that give the driver and passengers information and services to help make their driving experience safer and more comfortable, the new BMW 3 Series offers the latest-generation full-colour Head-Up Display, which projects key information in 3D onto the windscreen so it appears directly in the driver’s field of view. Also available is Surround View with Side View and Top View, which gives a bird’s-eye perspective of the vehicle and the area around it.

Commenting on the soon to be launched new BMW 3 Series, Joerg Breuer, Managing Director, BMW Group Middle East said: "With the global success story of the BMW 3 Series, it's a model that is not only important, but one which makes us feel very proud, so launching the latest generation is another milestone for the company. The new car is the most dynamic 3 Series yet so we are looking forward to seeing its positive impact on this year’s regional sales performance.”

19.02.2012

Abu Dhabi, UAE: Abu Dhabi Motors, the exclusive importer of the BMW Group in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, is gearing up to host the social event of the year on February 14th when it launches the world’s biggest BMW Group showroom in Abu Dhabi.

A line-up of leading businessmen, politicians, designers, dignitaries, celebrities and BMW Group board member are set to attend the exclusive opening of the new AED300 million state-of-the-art showroom facility in Umm Al Nar.

Flying in from Munich to celebrate the event opening are a multitude of BMW Group AG senior management, including Ian Robertson, Board Member for Sales and Marketing of BMW AG and Chairman of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Ltd; Graeme Grieve, Vice-President for Importer Markets of BMW AG and Adrian Van Hooydonk, Director of BMW Group Design.

Over 1,000 guests are expected to attend the black tie invitation-only event with exclusive performances from Lebanese pop star and actress Maya Diab, fresh off the success of her chart-topping single “Sawa”, and legendary Lebanese recording-artist Wael Kfoury, both of whom will entertain guests with a selection of their most popular songs.

Adding to the entertainment will also be several BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce models that will be displayed for the first time ever in the Emirate: the all-new sixth generation BMW 3 Series, the world’s most popular premium vehicle, and the new MINI Roadster, the first open-top two-seater in the brand‘s history.
In addition, two never-before-seen Bespoke Rolls-Royce vehicles will be showcased.
Also flown in especially for the event will be the BMW 3.0 CSL GT2 Art Car which initiated the Art Car series in 1975 and was one of the artist Alexander Calder's late works before his death, and the BMW Vision Efficient Dynamics concept vehicle, as driven by Tom Cruise in the hit Hollywood movie, Mission Impossible 4: Ghost Protocol.

A special treat for the guests will be a sneak preview of the new ultra-luxurious four-door BMW sports coupe, set to be officially launched in the Middle East in May. In addition, the new BMW ALPINA B6 BITURBO sports coupe with 540Bhp will be revealed by the Mr. Andreas Bovensiepen, owner of ALPINA.

The new showroom facility that will be the biggest worldwide for BMW Group boasts an area of 35,000 square meters divided between Rolls-Royce, BMW, MINI, Motorrad and BMW Premium Selection, the company's pre-owned vehicle division. The after sales area will include 120 working bays and will feature the latest computerised service and diagnostic technology equipment.

05.02.2012

• Inaugurated by His Highness Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and His Excellency Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansoori UAE, Minister of Economy
• Ian Robertson, BMW Group Board Member, attends grand opening
• AED300 million investment in facility across all areas of the business

Abu Dhabi, UAE – Ian Robertson, Board Member for Sales and Marketing of BMW AG and Chairman of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Ltd, arrived in Abu Dhabi yesterday to attend the opening of the world’s largest BMW Group showroom facility in the Umm Al Nar area of the UAE’s capital.

The showroom was formally inaugurated by His Highness Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, His Excellency Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansoori, UAE Minister of Economy and Ian Robertson, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible for Sales and Marketing, at an exclusive event on Tuesday evening attended by over 1,000 guests. The invited guests also included Graeme Grieve, Vice-President for Importer Markets of BMW AG, Adrian van Hooydonk, Director of BMW Group Design, and a large number of VIPs and celebrities from the region, including fashion designer Walid Atallah and Lebanese singers Maya Diab and Wael Kfoury.

The impressive and unprecedented facility, built by Abu Dhabi Motors, the exclusive BMW Group importer in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, covers an area of over 35,000 sqm and is the culmination of an AED 300 million investment in expanding and improving all areas of the facility at the importer’s flagship showroom.

Located in Umm Al Nar, between the two bridges and in the same place as the previous Abu Dhabi Motors showroom, the new facility offers 172 parking spaces for customers and 120 work bays for BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce vehicles. Aimed at delivering a premium experience to its discerning clientele, the state-of-the-art facility can accommodate the display of 80 new and pre-owned cars, 10 motorcycles, and features a private cinema-style theatre, Gloria Jean’s Cafe, F1 Racing Simulator, children’s play area, dedicated waiting rooms for men and women, in addition to the latest in audiovisual technology such as touch-screen tables and televisions screening BMW Group videos on the latest product and technology information.

Commenting on the landmark opening, Ian Robertson said: “The Middle East is an important region for the BMW Group, not only because it's a market where our top-of-the-range models are best sellers, but also because of future growth potential in many of the countries such as the UAE. The investment in this impressive and unique facility that makes it the world's biggest BMW Group showroom, is testament to the continued opportunities that lie ahead in Abu Dhabi."

Abu Dhabi Motors began its operations in May 1986 with a small showroom and workshop in Umm Al-Nar employing just 24 people, and has grown over the years to become the leading BMW Group importer in the Middle East. It currently employs over 450 staff members in 6 different facilities across Abu Dhabi and Al Ain.

2011 saw the importer maintain its status as the biggest-selling importer of BMW Group vehicles in the Middle East. Abu Dhabi Motors broke its record for BMW Group vehicle sales, selling 4,436 cars in 2011, a growth of 23% over 2010 sales, with most sales coming from high-end models such as the BMW 7 Series, BMW 5 Series, X5 and X6.

On a brand specific level, the importer sold 4,240 BMW cars, an increase of 21% over 2010 and 196 MINI cars, a growth of 63 %. It also maintained its status as one of the top ten Rolls-Royce Motor Cars dealers in the world, with a 16% sales growth in 2011, boasting the highest bespoke revenue per car in the Middle East.

Arno Husselmann, General Manager of Abu Dhabi Motors said: “This new facility will not only allow us to match our sales growth with our physical growth, but also underline our ambition to achieve greater results in the coming years as they have been designed with customer requirements and expectations in mind. We have already seen the benefits of this customer-oriented approach as we came out top of the customer service satisfaction index for the entire BMW Group Middle East.”

The new Abu Dhabi Motors BMW Group Showroom in Umm Al Nar is open from 9am to 1pm and 430pm to 9pm.

15.02.2012

Abu Dhabi, UAE: Abu Dhabi Motors retained its leading position as the best performing BMW Group importer in the Middle East during the first three months of 2012 with a 43% sales growth over 2011 – the most successful first quarter in Abu Dhabi Motors‘ history, and a major contributor to BMW Group’s 6% sales increase in the Middle East.

The exclusive BMW Group importer in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain delivered 1,563 BMW and MINI cars to customers in the Capital. Commenting on the growth, Arno Husselmann, General Manager of Abu Dhabi Motors said: "We started the year well with the opening of the world's biggest BMW Group showroom facility to cater for the ongoing growth of the BMW Group brands in the Capital and most importantly, our customers‘ high expectations. Abu Dhabi customers are among the highest net worth households in the world, and they have a strong desire to own luxury products from premium brands that also offer the best service standards. The premium BMW Group products, professional staff and exceptional service standards are key to our winning formula. In fact, our customer satisfaction results have already increased by more than 2% over the best results achieved in 2011."which were the best in the Middle East amongst all premium brands.

Sales for BMW increased 43% with a total of 1,502 cars sold. The top-of-the-range models remained the best selling, with the BMW X5 leading with a 296% increase (790 cars), followed by the X6 Sports Activity Coupé with 11% growth (342 cars). The BMW 5 Series and flagship BMW 7 Series also continued their success stories with sales of 142 and 94 cars sold respectively.
Another area of the BMW brand that saw substantial growth for Abu Dhabi Motors was BMW Premium Selection, the BMW approved used-car programme which enjoyed a 23% increase in sales. "The strong residual values of BMW cars as well as the unmatched service package, BSI Ultimate ensures high demand for pre-owned cars. Our toughest challenge is to try secure trade-in cars to sell in BMW Premium Selection,“ added Mr. Husselmann.

The MINI brand also continues to grow vigorously with 61 cars sold during the first three months of the year, an increase of 39% and an impressive achievement when operating in a market that predominantly favours large, luxury vehicles.

The first quarter sales successes support Abu Dhabi Motors’ 25th anniversary celebrations and the February launch of the world’s largest and most impressive BMW Group showroom. “We were always confident our investments would support our customer satisfaction objectives as well as increase our market share. Our international sales successes, taking into account that we are competing against large, populated markets, are testament to our quality processes, products and the hard work of loyal and passionate professionals. Abu Dhabi Motors has been ranked amongst the top three BMW Importers in the world and in addition, have several best in world accolades from Rolls-Royce, which set a standard for expectations from our owners, our principals, the BMW Group, and most importantly, our customers. We will put our foot on the accelerator with the intent this year to achieve another record year in sales and customer enhancing performances, which is going to make it another tough year in the office for our competitors.” added Husselmann.

16.04.2012