BMW Asia sales jump 51%

BMW Asia sales jump 51%

SINGAPORE (DPA): BMW sales in Asia's emerging markets surged 51 percent from last year's first half to 10,549 cars in the first six months of this year, the German carmaker said on Tuesday.

"These positive figures reflect the dynamic economic environment," said Luder Paysen, director of overseas sales for the BMW Group.

They justified the strategy of investing during the downturn to "fully benefit when the economies recover", he said.

A US$26 million manufacturing plant was opened in Thailand in May. The plant has a capacity to produce 10,000 cars annually and has started production of the new 3-Series sedan for the domestic market.

Sales in Japan, BMW's largest market in Asia, edged up only 2 percent to 16,927 unit in the first six months.

Indonesia recorded the highest percentage rise of 733 percent. From sales of 126 units in the first half of 1999, deliveries during the corresponding period this year were more than 1,000 BMW cars.