Hendrik-von-Kuenheim

BMW Group today announced record sales globally, regionally and in Malaysia for the first three quarters of 2012. The numbers were revealed by Hendrik von Kuenheim (pic above), BMW’s senior vice president for Asia, Pacific and South Africa markets, at Ingress Auto’s new MINI dealership in Bangsar. Also present was Dr Gerhard Pils, MD of BMW Group Malaysia.

As of year-to-date November 2012, the BMW Group has delivered 1,664,088 vehicles worldwide, which is an increase of 10.1% over the same period last year. This reinforces the brand’s position as the world’s largest premium automobile group. The Asia Pacific region, which we’re in, reflected this growth – APAC is the fastest growing region for BMW and is now Munich’s second largest market after home turf Europe.

“The strong performance of the BMW Group is proof of the strength of the business pillars on which we are built on, and have taken us through a global automotive climate which still feels the impact of recession throughout Europe,” von Kuenheim said.

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Ingress Auto operates the latest MINI dealership situated along Jalan Maarof, Bangsar Baru

“Short of any further declines in the global economic climate, we are confident that we will be able to achieve a sustainable EBIT (Earnings Before Income Tax) margin of between 8% and 10% for the year 2012 and beyond,” he added.

Closer to home, BMW Group Malaysia sold a total of 6,162 units of BMW, MINI and Motorrad vehicles from January to November 2012, which is a 20% growth over the 5,166 units sold in the same period last year, which itself was already a record-breaking year for the company.

In order to cope with the increasing demand for BMW vehicles in Malaysia, BMW Group Malaysia has since 2011 increased local production to more than 5,000 units annually, while also upgrading its local distribution network with the launch of new 4S centres in Setia Alam, Kuantan, Penang, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu. The group now has 16 BMW and MINI dealerships in the country.

dr-gerhard-pils

BMW has been the earliest, and most vocal proponent of modern diesel tech, which now powers over 20% of BMW cars sold here in 2012, and Dr Pils once again urged the Malaysian government to adopt Euro 4 fuel standards, which our neighbours are already on. Read his pre-budget 2013 statement here, which lists BMW Group Malaysia’s wishlist for the near future.

“It is my hope that the Malaysian government will seek to further enhance the automotive segment by adopting a two-fold strategy of encouraging stronger investments towards advanced green tech into the country, by businesses throughout the automotive supply chain as well as financial incentives which will encourage early adoption amongst consumers,” Dr Pils said.

“Only then will we be able to take advantage of the unique economic opportunities that are presently available,” he added.

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