By Alfean Hardy
BMW Malaysia Sdn Bhd expects a significant increase in sales volume in
the second quarter following the introduction of the fifth generation of the
3-Series, the E90, which will available in showrooms nationwide from April 29.
The 320i, 325i and 330i variants, all with six-speed automatic transmissions,
will retail for RM268,800, RM318,000 and RM428,000 respectively. Since its first
launch in 1975, some 9.5 million 3-Series have been sold.
BMW Malaysia managing director Wolfgang Schlimme expressed confidence that the
E90 would be a success in Malaysia.
“The new 3-series can be even more exciting and stronger than its predecessors.
We have never had so many cars for our customers ready for the launch on the
coming weekend,” he said at the media launch of the E90 in Cyberjaya on April
25.
“All over the line, we are quite happy with what we have achieved but the
biggest contributor was the 5-Series. Now with the ability of the 3-Series, you
will see a significant increase in our sales volumes in the second quarter,”
Schlimme said. He declined to elaborate.
BMW Malaysia posted a 50.8% on-year surge in sales for the first quarter of the
year to 858 units from 569 units, boosted by a phenomenal growth of the 5
Series, which recorded sales of 490 units compared with 110 units previously.
The 345% increase also helped the BMW 5 Series take the lead in its segment for
the first time ever. The 3-Series maintained strong sales totalling 213 units.
“Overall for the brand, I think a lead of 36% in the first quarter is not
something where we want to pinpoint over our colleagues but it gives confidence
that our strategies are working out already,” Schlimme added.
On the E90, he said some 7,000 cars had already been delivered after it was
launched abroad four weeks ago. Schlimme said the first delivery of the cars in
Malaysia would take place on Monday next week.
He said the Malaysia launch was delayed as BMW Malaysia wanted “to provide in
every outlet a demonstrator car and showroom cars” in order for E90 buyers to
compare “different variants, different colour combinations”.
“It is our target right from the market launch where we wanted very competitive
prices on the new 3-Series and an entry of RM268,800 on a 320i with six-speed
auto will be difficult to beat,” he said.