SHAH ALAM (March 29): BMW Group Malaysia said it does not see the premium automotive segment being significantly impacted by subdued consumer sentiment, amid the current uncertain economic climate.

The group has been recording strong double-digit growth across all brands, namely BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad last year, despite the overall decline in total industry volume (TIV) in the same period, according to BMW Group Malaysia corporate communications head Sashi Ambi.

"Last year, we saw strong double-digit growth for BMW Group Malaysia, with 16% sales growth across all brands, particularly for the BMW brand, which grew 20%. This year, obviously the market is a bit cautious, but then again that was the same sentiment last year," he said.

In 2016, BMW Group Malaysia reported its highest sales growth ever with the delivery of 10,906 units. A total of 9,000 BMW vehicles were delivered during the year, while MINI delivered 902 vehicles, and BMW Motorrad delivered 1,004 motorcycles.

"If you look across the board, the premium segment actually grew, which is a strong sign. We are still launching new products and services in the current economy and we are really pushing the market in a dynamic way," he added.

In January, the Malaysian Automotive Association reported that the industry registered a TIV of 580,124 units in 2016, down 13% from 666,677 units in 2015. The association forecast a mild recovery in 2017, on expectation that TIV would rise slightly to 590,000 units.

Similarly, Sashi said BMW Group Malaysia is expecting TIV to grow slightly this year, with no significant spike in total units sold.

Sashi was speaking to the media today after the launch of the latest iteration of the BMW 5 Series sedan, dubbed 'the business athlete'. The BMW 530i M Sport also marks the first time BMW is introducing a car under the 'M' range at launching.

The all-new BMW 5 Series — which bagged the iF Gold Award 2017 at the recent iF Design Awards 2017 — features enhanced driving dynamics and cutting edge technology.

"Since its first introduction in 1972, the BMW 5 Series sedan has created a lasting legacy in the automotive premium segment, embodying unrivalled performance, elegance and combining cutting-edge engineering with sophisticated innovation.

"Now, the new seventh generation all-new BMW 5 Series is destined to continue this remarkable success and ambition of the most successful premium business sedan in the world," said BMW Group Malaysia managing director and CEO Han Sang Yun at the launch.

The BMW 530i M Sport will be retailing at RM398,800 at all authorised BMW dealerships in Malaysia from this weekend onwards.