BMW celebrates 11th Year of leadership in Phl

MANILA, Philippines - ACC dominates luxury vehicle segment with 34% share

The country’s official BMW importer and distributor, Asian Carmakers Corporation (ACC), continues to pace the luxury car market with its 11th year of dominance in the segment. BMW closed 2013 with a total of 653 units sold, accounting for a 34 percent market share. This closely mirrors the performance of BMW Global, which closed 2013 with a record of 1,655,128 vehicles sold, an all-time high for the brand, posting a 7.5 percent increase from the previous year’s performance.

“We at ACC are honored to celebrate another year of being number one in the Philippine luxury automotive market. It is with great pride that we can say that, over the years, we have gained the utmost trust and unwavering support of the Philippine luxury market, as seen by BMW’s continued market dominance for eleventh straight year.” said Maricar Parco, ACC president.

In 2013, BMW further solidified its brand value by once again taking the market leadership with its core values—to provide its clientele with unparalleled Joy and sheer driving pleasure through its products and services. A testament to this strength was evident in the month of July, when BMW posted its highest sales record for the year, with a total of 93 units sold. This accounted for 49 percent market share of the premium segment.

For the very first time, the BMW 5 Series rose to the top of the chain, surpassing its siblings as the most successful model for 2013. The 5 Series closed the year with a total of 213 units sold, accounting for 32.57 percent of overall BMW sales in the country. It was a remarkable year for the 5 Series as it surpassed BMW’s bread and butter model, the 3 Series. The 5 Series’ performance has shown an increase year over year, posting a 52 percent growth compared to 2011 with 140 units sold and a 10 percent growth from 2012 with 194 units sold. This is a testament to the Philippines’ ever changing and continuously evolving market, which speaks volumes about the desirability and superiority of the 5 Series.

Through BMW’s commitment in providing sheer driving pleasure, new products and innovations were launched as we saw a refreshed and updated version of the very first compact Sports Activity Vehicle in the luxury market, the BMW X1. After a few months, we saw the launch of the all-new BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo—a vehicle that offers the best of the 3-Series that many have come to adore over a span of almost four decades, but with the space, versatility, and practicality that a modern day BMW client would look for.

BMW continues to expand its network of dealerships as a testament to their commitment to the Philippine market. BMW broke ground for its biggest dealership project to date. BMW Bonifacio Global City, which is envisioned to be completed by the end of 2015, will house the largest BMW showroom in the ground floor of a 23-storey building located at the heart of one the country’s most elite business districts. Once completed, BMW Bonifacio Global City will also house the ACC corporate headquarters.

In this same year, BMW inaugurated its eighth dealership in the country–AutoAllee BMW in Eton Centris, North EDSA. A three-story structure housed in a 1,900 sqm lot area, AutoAllee boasts of the most complete and premium line-up of services in the BMW network. New features of the dealership include a new-car delivery area, the only air-conditioned service assessment area in the country, a two-car service elevator, a six-car service garage, an Isetta bar on its second floor, and a full BMW Premium Selection showroom in its third floor.

Taking to heart the promise of Joy, BMW held its annual BMW XPO. For the XPO, BMW partnered with the Philippine Red Cross, in a charitable effort to raise funds for the victims of the most destructive typhoon to ever make landfall on Philippine soil. In lieu of crisis management, BMW lent out a fleet of X vehicles to assist in transporting goods in support of the Philippine Red Cross’ relief efforts.

2013 also saw the launch of BMW FlexiLease, the pioneering leasing program in the Philippines that offers flexibility for individuals who want to experience precision driving machines from Bavaria without having to worry about service and maintenance costs.

In its pioneering year, 98 units were sold through the FlexiLease program, accounting for 15% of BMW sales for 2013, spearheaded by the 3 series, 5 series and the 1 series respectively.

“We are pleased that the program, which is in its pioneer year, has exceeded expectations, contributing significantly to the brands overall performance. With FlexiLease, BMW continues to find ways to address our customers’ needs by giving them more creative options to owning a BMW.” adds Parco.

This 2014, BMW will launch a number of new innovations in model lineup and technology to the Philippine luxury market. Lined up are the all-new BMW 4 Series Coupe and the all-new BMW X5.

The BMW 4 Series Coupe is the latest model in the brand’s mid-size coupe line. The all-new BMW X5 will soon follow. It is the third generation of BMW’s first Sports Activity Vehicle. The X5 was the first of its kind in the global premium segment, and it literally created the whole sub-segment of Sport Activity Vehicles. To this day, no other premium car manufacturer can lay claim to the success and dynamism it has brought to the segment, spawning other successful models such as the X1, X3, and X6.

BMW will travel around the archipelago with the BMW Roadshow to promote the brand in areas farther away from the dealerships. BMW will also continue to thrill with its high-octane and adrenaline-filled BMW Driving Experience events.

“We at ACC are grateful for the support that the Philippine luxury market has shown us over the years.” said Parco “We hope that with everything we have in store for 2014, we are able to continue on with our commitment to the automotive industry and most especially to our most valued existing and future customers.”