The BMW Group Celebrates Twenty Years of Sheer Driving Pleasure in Singapore
The BMW Group’s Asia regional office turns 20 today, and Singapore’s Information, Communications and Arts Minister Dr Lee Boon Yang will do the honours at a forthcoming dinner commemorating this very special milestone in the life of the company.
To be hosted by BMW board member Dr Michael Ganal, the dinner comes amidst news of an overall 24% increase in registrations for BMW (2507 units) and MINI (100 units) vehicles in Singapore, thereby making BMW the premium segment leader as of September this year.
This also marks the culmination of a series of important corporate events here. These began with the recent announcement of the opening here next year of the Asian studio of BMW DesignworksUSA – the Group’s consultancy arm – as well as the setting up of a treasury and financial services centre in Singapore, and BMW Asia’s role as lead partner in Singapore 2006. The latter is the name for the meetings to be held next year in Singapore of the boards of governors of the IMF and World Bank.
In addition, BMW Asia is also a partner of the Singapore Design Festival which takes place here next month.
The leadership positions attained by the BMW 3, 5 and 7 series vehicles worldwide, as well as the investments by the company in Singapore underline the BMW Group’s belief in and commitment to this region, and also reiterates the company’s determination to grow its business and serve its customers better, said Mr Klaus Berning, Vice-President, Sales Region Asia, Pacific, Africa & East Europe.
And the company is already forging ahead in writing the next chapter of its Asian story, said its managing director, Mr Roland Krueger. “Our brands, our products and our people constitute the three, dynamic pillars that are central to our approach to the market. Combined with an up-to-date product portfolio and the energy, drive and commitment of our Asia team and business partners, we will continue to offer our customers the highest standards of service that they expect from the BMW Group.”
About the BMW Group
With its three brands BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce, the BMW Group is the only automobile manufacturer worldwide to operate with all brands exclusively in the premium segments of the automotive market, from the small car segment to top-of-the-range luxury limousines.
Along with its automotive business, the BMW Group's activities comprise the development, production and marketing of motorcycles, as well as comprehensive financial services for private and business customers.
In fiscal 2004, the company delivered a total of 1,208,732 automobiles and 92,266 motorcycles. Revenues amounted to 44,335 million euros. The company has a workforce of almost 106,000 employees all over the world.
From research and development to production and sales and marketing, the BMW Group is committed to the highest quality for all its products and services. All BMW Group vehicles provide outstanding product substance in terms of aesthetic design, dynamic performance, cutting-edge technology and quality, underlining the company's leadership in technology and innovation.
About BMW Asia
The BMW Group’s Asia regional office in Singapore has two critical areas of responsibility.
The first is the management of BMW Group importers and identification of future markets, while the second is the provision of support for BMW subsidiaries in functions such as purchasing, corporate audit, financial services, corporate security, corporate sales, direct sales and special vehicles, merchandising and lifestyle sales, as well as corporate affairs.
Over the years, BMW Asia helped to identify and establish new BMW sales subsidiaries in important Asian markets like Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia. In all these countries, the company was ably partnered and supported by distributors who knew and understood local market conditions and requirements, and were able to respond accordingly
With an increase in deliveries for all brands in 2004, the BMW Group achieved a new sales record in Asia. Altogether, over 95,482 BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce cars were delivered to customers (+2.6%/previous year: 93,030). Sales of BMW automobiles rose from the already high level of last year (78,754) by 2.3% to 80,603 units. MINI cars contributed 14,773 units (+3.6% / previous year: 14,266), also a new high. Rolls-Royce supplied 106 Phantoms to customers in Asia last year (previous year: 10).
In Singapore, total deliveries increased in the year 2004 by 34% to 3,093 automobiles (previous year: 2,304). BMW retail sales in Singapore reached an all time high of 2,922 units, an increase of 36% percent from the year before (2,141). This percentage increase is the largest jump for cars in the premium segment. Sales of the MINI in Singapore at 162 units, remained at the same level as the previous year, but this was due to demand being far higher than available supplies.
Apart from the regional office location in Singapore, the BMW Group also uses Singapore as a venue for its regional events such as the annual ‘BMW Group in Asia’ media conference, which brings together heads of BMW subsidiaries and journalists from around the region.
BMW Asia is committed to Singapore for the long-term and is dedicated to contributing to Singapore’s economic success. For example, the Singapore government recently appointed the BMW Group’s director of design, Mr Christopher E. Bangle, to an International Advisory Panel (IAP) for design. In this capacity, Mr Bangle is expected to advise on how Singapore can develop its design and creative industries.
The company last year reaffirmed its presence here by expanding its regional corporate office, nearly doubling the size of its previous office and with an option to expand further. This will allow BMW Asia to add further functions to its regional responsibilities in the future.