Sales of high-end imported cars from Europe have gained momentum in Taiwan so far this year, with BMW and Audi both posting sales growth of at least 50 percent.
BMW’s nationwide dealer said it delivered 6,948 cars in the first eight months of the year, an annual increase of 50 percent, making it the country’s leader in imported car sales.
The company has sold nearly 1,000 big-seven series models and 1,500 X models, and its big-five series sales grew 75.9 percent year-on-year from January to last month.
Audi has also had a strong year, selling 1,779 vehicles in the first half of the year, marking an annual increase of 50.5 percent.
Audi Taiwan managing director Daniel Khoo (邱山祥) said the company also reached its sales goal for last month.
It expects to sell between 3,500 and 4,000 cars this year, or 40 percent more than last year.
Taiwan in June imposed a 10 percent luxury tax on cars sold for more than NT$3 million (US$101,889), but Khoo said sales of the Audi’s A7 and A8 series, which are subject to the tax, have not been affected by the extra expense.
Khoo had a favorable outlook on Taiwan’s car market, saying that the company plans to add three new car dealerships next year, as well as three used car dealerships and three maintenance centers.
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