BMW sales in Lanka rockets by 1,500% to over 700 units

By Joshua Nicholas

The post-war economic rebound and low taxation have rocketed world’s leading premium car brand BMW’s sales by 1,500% to over 700 units last year, its sole agents Prestige Automobile revealed yesterday.

In the last two years, Sri Lanka’s motor industry has been on the rise, with a corresponding explosion in appetites for BMWs. Sales of BMWs increased by more than 1,500% in this period, from 44 cars sold in 2010 to more than 700 sold in 2011.

“With the increase in volumes and the increase in sales, we have also gone in for a major investment, particularly on the service side by increasing workshop capacity,” Prestige Automobile Chairman and Managing Director Heinz Reuter along with BMW Group Asia Managing Director Neil Fiorentinos told journalists at the launch of the BMW’s all new 3 series.

The sixth generation of the world’s best-selling premium car will be available in two variants – BMW 320i and BMW 328i.

“Sri Lanka’s motor industry is developing into maturity after a few lean years. The motor industry in Sri Lanka has always had its ups and downs, but it cannot be kept down,” Prestige Automobile Director and General Manager Gehan Siribaddana added.