Middle East sales of BMW's flagship 7 Series increased by 73% with 2,077 units sold during the first half of 2009. The fourth largest market for 7 Series sales worldwide recently took delivery of the fifth generation model. A class leader in emission reductions and automotive technologies, the new BMW 7 Series has proven to be one of the most hotly anticipated luxury car launches of the year. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was the largest market for the 7 Series with 617 units sold, representing an increase of 124%. The UAE was another a strong market for the flagship model, with Dubai and Abu Dhabi witnessing sales of 311 and 259 cars respectively, up 32% and 142%. Qatar achieved 147 new BMW 7 Series vehicle sales during the first six months of 2009, 41% better than the year before. The new BMW 7 Series is currently available in the Middle East in three engine variants – the in-line six cylinder 730Li and the power-optimised 740Li and V8 750Li models with new twin-turbo technology and direct fuel injection. They will be joined later this year by the V12-powered 760Li which produces an enviable 544bhp and accelerates to 100km/h in just 4.6 seconds. Designed around BMW's robust EfficientDynamics strategy to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, the new BMW 7 Series offers more power and better fuel economy than the predecessor model and boasts the most fuel efficient engines in its class. James Crichton, director Sales & Marketing, BMW Group Middle East, said: “These sales results are very encouraging. The new BMW 7 Series represents the best of automotive engineering and technology. We are confident our flagship model will continue to set the trend in the luxury performance class, and maintain BMW's leading position at the forefront of automotive innovation.”
