New models seen to drive steady growth in BMW sales in PH
Sales of BMW vehicles in the Philippines posted a 38.5-percent growth to 1,000 units last year, fueled largely by the strong economy, rising incomes and the growing preference of the local market for premium automotive brands.
Contributing also to the growth in BMW sales last year was the country’s hosting of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) meetings, where Asian Carmakers Corp. (ACC) provided vehicles for the use of some delegates.
“We finished 2015 with a milestone, as we reached the 1,000-unit mark for BMW that gave us a 38-percent growth year-on-year, and much of the success was because of the Apec vehicles that we provided,” ACC president Maricar C. Parco said in a briefing on Thursday.
According to Parco, this is the first time in over a decade that the official importer and distributor of BMW in the country is able to breach the 1,000-unit sales mark. The last time this was hit was before the Asian financial crisis in the ’90s.
“This year, we want to continue that growth. We are, however, cautiously optimistic. At the minimum, we want to have a 15-percent growth in sales in 2016,” Parco said.
Seen to drive this year’s growth would be the new models that would be launched during the period. These include the all-new BMW 7 series, which was launched Thursday night.
This model, which will be offered in two variants—740 and 750—will be sold for P8.49 million and P12.49 million, respectively.
ACC has also secured a “handful” of pre-orders following an exclusive product presentation to the company’s select VIP clients and prospects. Other launches, meanwhile, are expected to follow soon, including one in April for the BMW X1.
Parco added ACC also expected that the BMW 3 series to be the company’s best selling nameplate in 2016. Last year saw higher sales for the BMW 5 series as this was the vehicle provided for the Apec meetings. About 300 units were provided for Apec, but all these had already been sold to local customers.
“This year is also a special year for BMW. The brand will celebrate its centennial anniversary worldwide and we would like to mark the milestone in the Philippines through innovative product launches and participation in significant events that will set the tone for the next hundred years. We are confident that with an unparalleled vehicle portfolio, complemented by the unique experience we bring our distinguish clientele and the bullish outlook for the Philippine economy, we will be able to further our growth in the country,” Parco explained.
Despite the robust sales growth, Parco said the regional office of BMW was still not considering putting up an assembly plant in the Philippines.
