BMW tops premium segment

AFP PHOTO/ANP/MARCEL VAN HOORN

Asian Carmakers Corp. (ACC), the official importer and distributor of BMW in the Philippines, continued to lead the premium automotive segment, posting its highest sales of 106 units last June and dominating the market with a 41-percent market share for the month.

The company said this mirrored the global trend that has seen the BMW Group post an 8.1-percent year-on-year growth. It said consumer demand for the brand increased in the latter part of the first half of 2012, resulting in a 30-percent year-to-date market share.

ACC president Maricar Parco said BMW credited its success to the company’s “unceasing focus on innovation and dynamism.”

The uptrend in BMW sales in the first half of 2012 was driven by the solid performance of the 3 Series and 5 Series, two of its most important segments. The 3 Series, BMW’s biggest volume driver whose sixth-generation model was introduced to the Philippine market last May, continued to be the leader in its segment with a 43-percent increase in month-on-month sales and a 67-percent jump in its month-to-date sales.

On the other hand, the 5 Series dominated its segment by having a 69-percent month-on-month sales growth, 40-percent month-to-date sales increase and 48-percent year-on-year sales.

“The success of both our 3 Series and 5 Series is exceptional in the first half of the year. Our 3 Series still proves to be the best-selling sport sedan, setting new benchmark in terms of sporting prowess, elegance and comfort,” said Glen Dasig, ACC executive director for sales and marketing. “We also had exceptional sales for our 5 Series, which is our biggest-selling vehicle in the first half of the year, affirming its solid reputation in terms of performance, fuel efficiency and safety.”

Apart from its continued momentum in the first half, BMW also marked significant milestones, particularly its participation at the 45th ADB Annual Governors’ Meeting as the official premium mobility sponsor, the country’s biggest economic event hosting of the year. BMW provided a fleet of BMW 5 Series vehicles to the visiting heads of state.

ACC said another significant milestone was the successful launch of the All-New BMW 3 Series, the best-selling vehicle in the BMW vehicle lineup.

BMW recently held a groundbreaking ceremony in Auto Allee BMW at the Eton Centris on North EDSA, its fourth dealer in Metro Manila.

Aside from Metro Manila, BMW is also expanding its dealership network in the South. It is set to launch its Cebu dealership in September and hold its inauguration for its Bacolod dealership in the same month.