BMW stakes claim as RP’s top luxury car maker

BMW Philippines Corp. is staking its claim as the country’s top luxury car assembler with a 60-percent share of the market.

According to BMW Philippines, it sold a total of 802 units last year, a 17.1 percent growth over its sales of 685 units in 2002.

Likewise, BMW Philippines was also able to sell 61 units of its high-end motorcycles which it had introduced last year.

BMW presented these figures to debunk claims by Jaguar Philippines that it is beginning to corner the luxury car market although it reportedly sold only 151 units last year.

BMW Philippines corporate communications director Lito S. German also complained that Jaguar Philippines cannot cite industry statistics since it is not a member of the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines (CAMPI).

While Jaguar’s strength lies in luxury models with two liters and above engine capacity, German stressed that it should not try to make it appear that it is becoming the country’s leading luxury car maker since it is not a member of CAMPI and does not assemble locally.

Jaguar’s entry model, the X-type with a powerful six-cylinder engine, starts at P2.325 million.

This compares to BMW’s 3-series models which have a four-cylinder engine capacity and which starts at around P1.9 million for the 318 model and P2.2 million for the 325 series.

Jaguar’s premium model, the XJR supercharged – which has a V8 or eight cylinder engine–carries a price tag of P8.125 million.

This compares to BMW’s 3-series models which have a four-cylinder engine capacity and which starts at around 1.0 million for the 318 model and P2.2 million for the 325 series.

Jaguar’s premium model, the XJR supercharged– which has a V8 or eight cylinder engine – carries a price of P8.125 million.

This compares with BMW’s premium 7-series which ranges from P5 million to P11 million.

BMW also has a "cheaper" 1-series which it is not yet selling in the Philippines.

Worldwide, BMW is a market force with total sales last year of over 1.1 million units, a 4.5 percent growth over its 2002 sales.

In Asia alone, the BMW Group claims that it is the top car company in the premium car segment with sales of 93,030 units, increasing by 18.5 percent compared to 2002 sales of only 78,527 units.

BMW, however, did not provide comparative data for other luxury car brands.

According to BMW, its sales of 802 units last year are only for brand-new vehicles.

However, BMW boasts that its pioneering pre-owned sales program accounts for over 30- percent of deliveries in its exclusive authorized dealer network.

BMW Philippines is hoping to finally reach its elusive sales target of 1,000 units this year with the introduction of such models as the X3 Sports Activity Vehicle and the 6-series.