“Our aim is to increase sales for hybrids globally.”
HARALD HOELZL, BMW Group Malaysia Sdn Bhd managing director and chief executive officer
KUALA LUMPUR: BMW Group Malaysia Sdn Bhd aims to strengthen sales of its electrified vehicles (plug-in hybrid) due to positive demand from the local market.
Its managing director and chief executive officer Harald Hoelzl said BMW’s plug-in hybrid portfolio accounted for more than half, or 56 per cent, of its total sales, with over 3,200 units sold in the first half of the year.
“Our aim is to increase sales for hybrids globally. For 2018, the BMW Group global target is about 140,000 electrified cars.
“Malaysia will surely contribute heavily to reaching this target,” he said here yesterday.
Hoelzl said Malaysia had the highest share of plug-in hybrid cars in Southeast Asia.
BMW Group Malaysia recorded an 11 per cent increase in car sales, having sold over 5,300 units in the first half of the year.
Its MINI brand grew 18 per cent with sales of more than 550 units, while BMW Motorrad sales rose eight per cent with over 540 units delivered in the first half.
The group recorded 11 per cent growth, delivering more than 6,400 units in the six-month period.
BMW Group Malaysia yesterday also unveiled the BMW Concept X7 iPerformance, a luxuryclass BMW Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV), for the first time in Southeast Asia.
Hoelzl said the concept vehicle demonstrated BMW Group’s new take on the luxury segment, encapsulating the brand’s modern understanding of visionary mobility and progressive luxury.
“It is not merely a look ahead to a future production model, but is also a case study in modernity, luxury and presence, which will set a new benchmark in the luxury segment,” he added.