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Tag: BMW

  • BMW And Volkswagen Join Quantum Technology Consortium

    BMW And Volkswagen Join Quantum Technology Consortium

    BMW and Volkswagen have joined the Quantum technology consortium which features 10 German corporations that strive to develop quantum computing applications for vehicles. The Quantum technology and application consortium (QUTAC) will develop further the fundamentals of quantum computing and applications that could be used in the automotive space.

    The founding members of this consortium include BASF, BMW, Boehringer, Ingelheim, Bosch, Infineon, Merck, Munich Re, SAP, Siemens and Volkswagen Group.

    “It is clear to the BMW Group that quantum computing is a pioneering technology that holds great potential for a multitude of applications – from materials research to battery cell chemistry and the future of automated driving using quantum machine learning,” says BMW’s Frank Weber.

    “This technology is at an early stage of development and we want to provide the best possible support for cutting-edge research and its transfer into industrial applications,” he added.

    The stimulus and future package that the German government has released accommodates for a boost in the development of Quantum Computer technology. The intent is to work together, identify, develop, run trials and share new-age applications. Applications could be developed for logistics, transport, chemicals and the financial sector which these German corporations can explore. The results and decisions that the consortium comes up with are intended to benefit all participants in the ecosystem, especially in Germany. The QUTAC has to set forth specific steps – which includes the need for the identification of quantum computing in the German economy, and the identification of applications and their implantation at an industrial scale.

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  • BMW Expects At Least Half Of Sales To Be Electric Cars By 2030

    BMW Expects At Least Half Of Sales To Be Electric Cars By 2030

    BMW expects at least half of its sales to be zero-emission vehicles by 2030, setting a more conservative target than some rivals in the race to embrace cleaner driving. In the short term, the German carmaker forecast on Wednesday a big rise in pretax profit for this year, with a strong performance in all areas – from MINIS through its upmarket BMW brand to top-of-the-range Rolls-Royces. Its shares rose as much as 4.9% to a 2-1/2 year high of 84.42 euros, buoyed by its forecast for a strong recovery from a pandemic-hit 2020.

    BMW said around 90% of its market categories would have fully-electric models available by 2023 and the electric BMW i4 would be launched three months ahead of schedule this year.

    Bernstein analyst Arndt Ellinghorst said BMW had entered 2021 “very confidently.” “In terms of electromobility, BMW is making good progress and is taking significantly fewer risks than VW,” he said.

    Volkswagen has said it expects 70% of European sales at its core VW brand to be electric by 2030 and this week unveiled ambitious plans to expand in electric driving – including building half a dozen battery cell plants in Europe – sending its shares sharply higher.

    BMW said around 90% of its market categories would have fully-electric models available by 2023 and the electric BMW i4 would be launched three months ahead of schedule this year. The carmaker said its MINI brand would be fully electric “by the early 2030s” and electric models would account for at least 50% of group deliveries by 2030.

    When asked if BMW could set a date for ending sales of internal combustion engines, as some rivals have, Chief Technology Officer Frank Weber said: “it’s not us who decides on the end of the internal combustion engine, but it’s the markets.”

    In an industry chasing electric carmaker Tesla and facing tightening CO2 emissions standards in Europe and China, some automakers have promised a faster shift in technology, despite the huge costs and manufacturing changes involved.

    Sweden’s Volvo said this month its lineup would be fully electric by 2030, and Ford said in February its lineup in Europe would be too. Sales of electric and plug-in hybrid cars in the European Union almost trebled to over 1 million vehicles in 2020 and accounted for more than 10% of overall sales, taking zero-emission models from niche products into the mainstream.

    Chief Executive Oliver Zipse told a news conference that BMW could accelerate its plans if consumers embraced electric models more quickly than expected.

    “Should demand in certain markets shift completely to fully electric vehicles in the coming years – we can deliver,” he said.

    Last week, BMW said 2021 had started well after its profit recovered in the second half of 2020 from pandemic shutdowns, thanks largely to strong sales in China.

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  • BMW’s New-Gen iDrive System To Provide Level 2 Autonomous Capability

    BMW’s New-Gen iDrive System To Provide Level 2 Autonomous Capability

    BMW has shown off its next-generation iDrive system, which is the software and hardware platform which comprises the infotainment system and in-car experience that has been prevalent since the dawn of the new millennium. Now, approaching its eighth generation, it has a new curved display that starts behind the steering wheel extending across the dashboard.

    BMW has basically merged the 12.3-inch instrument cluster with the 14.9-inch infotainment system — curved into a single unit facing the driver. Of course, not every vehicle will have the same screen size, but the panels will have the appearance of being “floating”.

    This new system will debut on the iX electric SUV as well as the i4 electric sedan. The big deal here is that the onboard computer will be able to process 20 to 30 times, more data than the previous models. This will enable greater synergy with the sensors that the cars will come equipped with enabling higher levels of autonomy.

    BMW’s chief technology officer Franker Weber himself describes the new iDrive as a major step towards fully autonomous technology — with support for level 2 and level 3 systems.

    “It is not an evolutionary step from what we had in the previous generation,” Weber said. “It’s an all-new, all-new system when it comes to sensors, computing, and the way it was developed,” he added.

    Level 2 systems include lane-keeping, blind-spot detection, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Level 3 autonomous driving involves more automation called conditional automation where the driver still has to be in a position to take over the control of the vehicle when requested. This feature is however is contingent on approval from local authorities.

    Weber hasn’t confirmed whether BMW will be providing access to level 3 automation however, he has hinted that level 3 testing is ramping up on the new version of iDrive.

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  • BMW Group Invests In Innovative Method For CO2-Free Steel Production

    BMW Group Invests In Innovative Method For CO2-Free Steel Production

    The BMW Group announced that it is investing in an innovative method for CO2-free steel production developed by American startup Boston Metal, through its venture capital fund, BMW i Ventures. Over the coming years, Boston Metal plans to expand the new method for steel production on an industrial scale. The investment is part of the BMW Group’s far-reaching sustainability activities aimed at significantly reducing CO2 emissions across the supplier network.

    With its versatile properties, steel is one of the most important materials in car production and will be no less important for future vehicle generations. Even with the dynamic ramp-up of electromobility, steel will remain an important building material for car bodies and many components. BMW Group press plants in Europe process more than half a million tonnes of steel per year.

    The blast furnaces used in conventional steel production generate carbon dioxide. The startup Boston Metal uses electricity for its new technology, which, by means of an electrolysis cell, produces molten iron that is later processed into steel. If electricity from renewable energies is used for this process, then steel production is carbon-free. The young company will build demonstration facilities for this process over the next few years and further develop it for use on an industrial scale.

    The BMW Group established close contact with Boston Metal already last year in the context of its own research activities and through the BMW Startup Garage. The company is now investing in the startup as part of its i Ventures activities.

    To safeguard reserves of raw materials, the BMW Group has set itself the goal of further increasing its percentage of recycled raw materials, so-called secondary material, by 2030 and using raw materials multiple times in a circular economy.

    All steel waste produced at the press plants – for example, when doors are punched out – is either reused through a direct material cycle or sent back to the steel producer via steel traders and processed into new steel. The use of secondary material reduces CO2 emissions substantially compared to primary material, conserves natural resources and also reduces the amount of energy needed for production.

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  • Motorbike sales slump, blamed on pandemic

    Motorbike sales slump, blamed on pandemic

    Motorbike sales fell 16.6 percent to 2.71 million units last year, according to the Vietnam Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers.

    The industry group comprises five major companies, Honda, Piaggio, Suzuki, SYM, and Yamaha, who account for most of the market.

    Industry insiders said sales fell in double digits because of the Covid-19 pandemic, which hit people’s incomes.

    Although VAMM’s report did not list each company’s sales, Honda said it accounted for nearly 80 percent.

    Other brands not included in report were VinFast, Kymco, BMW Motorrad, Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Kawasaki, and others.

    In the second half last year several companies introduced.

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  • 18th U.S. Takata Death Reported, First In A BMW

    18th U.S. Takata Death Reported, First In A BMW

    A U.S. auto safety regulator said on Thursday it identified the 18th U.S. death tied to a Takata airbag inflator rupture after the review of a recent BMW crash. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said it had concluded a Takata airbag inflator rupture during a September crash in Arizona had led to fatal injuries of the driver. This was the first reported Takata death in a BMW vehicle after 15 U.S. deaths in those of Honda Motor Co and two in Ford Motor Co vehicles since 2009.

    BMW said its “engineers will work closely with federal investigators to inspect the vehicle and to understand the details of the incident.”

    The German automaker added it had “been working diligently to identify and contact owners of these older vehicles equipped with recalled Takata airbags.”

    The defect, which leads in rare instances to airbag inflators rupturing and sending metal fragments flying, prompted the largest automotive recall in U.S. history of about 63 million inflators. Worldwide, about 100 million inflators by 19 major automakers were recalled.

    More than 290 U.S. injuries are also tied to faulty Takata inflators and at least 27 deaths worldwide. The issues especially affects older vehicles with long-term exposure to hot, humid conditions. A number of the deaths have occurred in Arizona. Millions of unrepaired airbags remain in cars on U.S. roads.

    NHTSA said in a statement Thursday the “incident underscores the importance of replacing every recalled Takata airbag. When notified of a safety defect, we urge vehicle owners to immediately contact their automaker’s local dealer to schedule a free repair.”

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  • BMW Warns Of Pandemic Risks As Third-Quarter Profit Rebounds

    BMW Warns Of Pandemic Risks As Third-Quarter Profit Rebounds

    BMW’s third-quarter profit rose almost 10% thanks to Chinese demand for luxury cars, but the German automaker warned a new wave of coronavirus infections sweeping Europe and the United States posed a “considerable” risk to its business. Sales of luxury models such as the 8 series and X7 helped the carmaker reach a new sales record in the quarter, but the cautious outlook sent BMW shares lower on Wednesday.

    “After a more stable phase in the economic environment in the third quarter, the pandemic is now clearly regaining momentum,” BMW said.

    “If the pandemic takes an even more serious course and the global economy experiences a perceptible downturn, the risk exposure could be considerable, particularly on the demand side.”

    The growing importance of China led BMW to abandon its strategy of seeking “balanced sales across all continents”. BMW shares were down 1% at 1112 GMT, underperforming Germany’s blue-chip DAX index. Like rival Mercedes, BMW’s pretax profit recovered in the third quarter, rising 9.6% to 2.46 billion euros ($2.87 billion), lifted by an 8.6% increase in deliveries.

    The automotive EBIT (earnings before interest and tax) margin rebounded to 6.7%, from minus 10.4% in the second quarter and 6.6% a year earlier.

    “BMW beat mostly on earnings quality with auto margin recovering to year-ago level,” Jefferies analyst Philippe Houchois said, pointing to prudent cost management, lower R&D spending and a rebound in demand from China.

    But after the pandemic-related hit in the spring, BMW still expects overall deliveries of high-end vehicles and group pretax profit this year to be significantly lower than last year.

    Deliveries of BMW and Mini-branded vehicles rose 8.6% in the third quarter, mainly thanks to a 31% spike in China, which helped offset a 15.7% drop in demand in the United States, where the pandemic has hit sales hard.

    The growing importance of China led BMW to abandon its strategy of seeking “balanced sales across all continents”.

    “We don’t like to refer to it as a dependency (on China). What is happening is a natural adjustment,” Chief Executive Oliver Zipse told reporters on a conference call.

    “If we speak about dependencies, we are dependent on our customers,” he said, noting China has a higher population than both Europe and the United States.

    China accounted for 34% of all BMW Group’s new car deliveries in the third quarter, followed by Germany on 13% and the United States on 12%. Zipse also said BMW would come to terms with whoever wins the U.S. presidential election. “Naturally it is in everybody’s interest that there is an unambiguous result,” he added.

    Expecting global demand for premium cars to drop by more than 10% this year, the Munich-based company is adjusting its production footprint. Manufacturing of the BMW X1 and Mini Countryman will be phased out at Dutch contract manufacturer VDL Nedcar, with production moved to BMW plants, Zipse said. The company is also preparing to introduce a new vehicle architecture in 2025, developed to build mainly electric and digitally connected vehicles, he added.

    BMW reiterated it expected to achieve an automotive EBIT margin of 0%-3% this year.

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  • BMW R 18 Classic Unveiled

    BMW R 18 Classic Unveiled

    BMW Motorrad has started introducing its 2021 range of motorcycles, and with the new range, has added a new variant to the BMW R 18 model line-up. The BMW R 18 Classic is based on the standard BMW R 18, but gets some additional equipment to make it more touring friendly, and a slightly different passenger seat. The obvious changes include a clear windshield, a pair of leather-finished saddlebags with traditional looking buckle stays, and all of these are removable, so the R 18 Classic can be turned back to something which is almost identical to the standard BMW R 18.

    On the R 18 Classic, there are also extra LED headlights, a smaller, and wider 16-inch front wheel, instead of the 19-inch front wheel on the base R 18, and also gets standard cruise control. The saddlebags come with 15.5 liters of storage space or 10 liters with the removable liners, and the buckles are cosmetic, just to give the traditional look. The fasteners are more conventional push-in units. The windscreen slots into the top of the forks and attaches to the bolt-on auxiliary light bracket with locking brackets, and can be removed or replaced very quickly and conveniently.

    The powerplant is the same as the R 18, so the 1,802 cc, air-cooled boxer twin puts out the same 91 bhp of power and 157 Nm of peak torque. The engine is mounted on a double-cradle steel frame and the hidden rear suspension system gives the look of a classic hardtail cruiser. There is a modern electronic system, with multiple riding modes, ABS, traction control, engine brake control, which can be monitored and set via a simple LCD unit on the analog speedometer console. There’s also the option of adding an electric reverse gear and hill start control.

    BMW also offers a wide range of extras for both models, the R 18 and the R 18 Classic, with wheel options ranging from 16-inch to 21-inches, different seats, footboards, screens, bars, luggage and cosmetic components, so the standard 345 kg kerb weight of the base R 18 becomes irrelevant with the addition of aftermarket components.

    With the additional components, the BMW R 18 Classic adds some weight too, pushing its kerb weight to 365 kg, compared to 345 kg of the base BMW R 18. The base R 18 is priced at ₹ 18.90 lakh (Ex-showroom) in India, and if BMW Motorrad India decides to introduce the R 18 Classic, expect prices to be around ₹ 21 lakh (Ex-showroom). The BMW R 18 Classic is expected to be offered on sale across BMW Motorrad dealerships by the second quarter of 2021.

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  • BMW Loses Millions As Sales Slide During Lockdowns

    BMW Loses Millions As Sales Slide During Lockdowns

    BMW expects to make a profit this year if demand continues to recover, despite posting a record loss for its car division in the second quarter after sales slumped 25% because of coronavirus lockdowns, it said on Wednesday.

    The German manufacturer of BMWs, Minis, and Rolls-Royces said sales had started to recover during the latest three-month period, including a 17% jump in deliveries in China, but the rebound would not fully make up for sales lost to COVID-19.

    As a result of the sales slide, and higher costs for developing low-emission cars, BMW posted a pretax loss of 498 million euros, its first in over 11 years, and an operating loss of 666 million euros ($790 million) for the quarter.

    Shares in BMW fell 3% following the results, with some analysts saying they had not expected such a big loss in earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT).

    BMW, which makes Minis and Rolls-Royces said sales had started to recover during the latest three-month period, including a 17% jump in deliveries in China.

    “What matters now is how robust this upward trend is and when individual markets will follow suit,” said Chief Executive Oliver Zipse, adding that its overall cars sales in July were higher than last year.

    BMW said, however, that its outlook did not factor in the potential impact of the second wave of COVID-19 infections, nor the prospect of a more sustained or deeper recession than expected in its key markets.

    Zipse said on a call that developments in the United States, which has the highest number of COVID-19 cases and deaths worldwide, were “extremely worrying”.

    Sales in the United States made up 12.6% of deliveries in the first half of 2020, down from 15.2% in 2020. Overall, BMW said it expected global demand for luxury cars to fall by a fifth this year.

    The COVID-19 pandemic has already hit carmakers such as Fiat Chrysler, Ford, and Daimler particularly hard at the time when the auto industry is ramping up spending to clean up their combustion engines as well as developing low-emission technologies to conform with stringent European anti-pollution rules.

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  • Honda most searched vehicle brand in Vietnam

    Honda most searched vehicle brand in Vietnam

    Honda, Toyota, BMW, Mitsubishi, and Suzuki are the five most googled car brands in Vietnam, market research firm iPrice said.

    The Malaysia-based meta-search website, which operates in Vietnam and six other countries across Southeast Asia, said it considered 22 car brands googled between March 1 and May 31 this year to find the most searched brands.

    Honda topped the list since it produces both motorbikes and cars, and has an 80 percent share of the motorbike market.

    It was also the most googled brand in Thailand and Indonesia. In the Philippines, it was Toyota.

    In Singapore and Hong Kong, which prioritize green transportation, American electric vehicle brand Tesla was in first place.

    Across the seven markets, Honda was the most googled brand with 550,000 searches, followed by Toyota (368,000) and BMW (301,000). Tesla and Mitsubishi tied with 246,000 to round off the top five.

    The study also found that SUVs were the most searched cars in all seven markets, followed by sedans, MPV/WGNs, hatchbacks, and coupes.

    According to data from Vietnamese manufacturer Thanh Cong Motor and the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers Association (VAMA), Toyota Vios was the most sold model in the first half of this year with 11,244 units.

    Sales of VAMA members, who account for more than 95 percent of the market, were down 30 percent year-on-year to 102,720 vehicles.

  • BMW’s ‘Art of Decoding’ experience in Hong Kong starts with a QR code

    BMW’s ‘Art of Decoding’ experience in Hong Kong starts with a QR code

    BMW is holding its first-ever art-driven motor show in its luxury class showroom in Wan Chai, Hong Kong this month.

    The brand’s “The Art of Decoding” event involves an interactive experiential concept featuring six key aesthetics encouraging visitors to learn more about the BMW DNA.

    Different zones at the exhibition showcase 19 BMW art pieces, in which participants can “decode” using smartphones to learn the stories behind each car model on show.

    Visitors are invited to register online to receive a personal QR code to be activated on-site, before taking photos of a “digit wall” using AR technology to decode the numerical visuals and integrate art aesthetics into the photo.

    Visitors can also present their QR codes on the interactive digital interface, select their favorite illustrations depicting the craft and design of BMW classic series designed by a local artist and create their own personalized branded postcards using their own names.

    Through “The Art of Decoding” journey, visitors will experience BMW contemporary aesthetics, craft, and design, decoding the stories behind every art piece and luxury model

    The event will showcase the latest X5M and X6N models alongside several classics through to July 26.

  • BMW Introduces New Service And Repair Packages For BMW And Mini Cars

    BMW Introduces New Service And Repair Packages For BMW And Mini Cars

    BMW India has introduced new service maintenance packages for BMW and Mini cars in the country. There will be multiple options for the same, based on duration/mileage. ‘Service Inclusive’ offers a range of service packages that cover maintenance, inspection, and wear and tear. BMW offers another range of services called ‘Repair Inclusive’, which takes care of standard warranty extension. Customers just need to make an upfront payment and can avail a wide variety of services. Customers can choose packages according to their usage and needs. The prices of the service/maintenance package will be pre-fixed. The customers have the option of extend or renew the ‘Service Inclusive’ package as well.

    Arlindo Teixeira, acting President, BMW Group India said, “BMW Group India aftersales products and services have a simple aim – Empowering customers to enjoy the journey, mile after mile, year after year. With Service and Repair Inclusive, our customers have complete peace of mind. They don’t have to waste a moment thinking about the cost of maintenance or wear and tear because they know they own the best coverage for their BMW or MINI. It’s all there with Service and Repair Inclusive: the expertise of our service specialists, the use of Original BMW Parts, and the great feeling of knowing their car is in the very best of hands. With new additional benefits, we will continue to offer the best-in-class value while our exceptional service standards will continue to create an unmatched ownership experience.”

    BMW offers three Service Inclusive packages which are Oil Service Inclusive, Service Inclusive Basic, and Service Inclusive Plus. Each package has a different gamut of services that can be availed. Customers can pick anyone for a duration/mileage of their choice starting from 3 years / 40,000 km and extend it up to 10 years / 200,000 km.

    The base oil service package includes only the oil change and oil-related services of the cars and is meant for people whose usage is quite low. The service inclusive basic package includes regular maintenance such as engine oil service, top-ups, a replacement for air filter, fuel filter, microfilter, spark plugs, and brake fluids. The service inclusive plus includes replacement of items that are commonly susceptible to wear and tear such as brake pads, discs, wiper blades, clutch, and all. This is in addition to all the services offered by service inclusive basic.

    Customers can purchase Service Inclusive for their existing cars as well, where the package begins from the date of purchase and not from the date when the warranty starts. For customers with high usage, service packages are available in the business portfolio.

    With ‘Repair Inclusive’, the standard warranty on a vehicle can be extended even after the initial period of 24 months for unlimited mileage, up to a period of 6 years. The cost for all necessary repairs is covered within the agreed mileage/duration. In case of change of ownership of the car, Service and Repair Inclusive are easily transferable as well.

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  • BMW S 1000 XR Teased Ahead Of Launch In July

    BMW S 1000 XR Teased Ahead Of Launch In July

    After introducing the F 900 R and the F 900 XR in the country, BMW Motorrad India is now gearing up to launch the 2020 BMW S 1000 XR sports tourer. The upcoming offering has been teased on the company’s social media handles and comes with several upgrades over the current model. The 2020 BMW S 1000 XR made its global debut at EICMA 2019 in November and brings the prowess of the S 1000 RR’s engine with the versatility of a tourer in a compelling package. The model locks horns with the likes of the Ducati Multistrada 1260 S and the Kawasaki Versys 1000 in the segment.

    The 2020 BMW S 1000 XR has been comprehensively updated and comes with a new frame, new design language and a new engine as well. Sharing its underpinnings with the S 1000 RR, the sports tourer also loses those famed asymmetrical headlamps for a sharper-looking front design. The sports tourer gets a standard two-step adjustable windscreen and sharper bodywork. The new flex frame uses the engine as a stress-member that have improved the ergonomics on the motorcycle. The swingarm is 19 percent lighter than the older version, while the bike has lost about 10 kg over its predecessor.

    Power on the 2020 BMW S 1000 XR now comes from the 999 cc in-line four-cylinder petrol engine that has been tuned for more relaxed usability. Unlike the BMW S 1000 RR, the S 1000 XR misses on ShiftCam technology or variable valve timing, and belts out 163 bhp at 11,000 rpm and 114 Nm of peak torque at 9250 rpm. The engine is paired with a 6-speed transmission but the top three gears get longer ratios that alter performance for more highway-dedicated duties.

    The new S 1000 XR also comes with a semi-active suspension that is electronically adjustable and will alter the response setting depending on the terrain the bike is riding on. The bike rides on 17-inch alloy wheels with spoked wheels as an option but the S 1000 XR is not an adventure motorcycle and has limited abilities off-road. It also comes with road-spec tires, while the whole bucket electronic wizardry has been carried over and includes the six-axis IMU, cornering ABS, lean sensing traction control, drag torque control, bi-directional quick-shifter, cruise control, hill assist, wheelie control and more. There are four riding modes – Road, Rain, Dynamic and Pro. The bike also gets a TFT screen, keeping up with the times.

    The 999 cc in-line four-cylinder motor does not get ShiftCam tech from the S 1000 RR on the S 1000 XR

    Pricing on the 2020 BMW S 1000 XR is expected to remain identical to the current model and we expect the sports tourer to carry a price around ₹ 18-20 lakh (ex-showroom), depending on the exchange rate. The S 1000 XR is expected to go on sale sometime next month.

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  • BMW Cuts Margin Outlook For Cars Division

    BMW Cuts Margin Outlook For Cars Division

    BMW on Tuesday lowered the outlook for the profitability of its automotive and motorcycles divisions, citing worse-than-expected demand which has been hit by measures to contain the coronavirus.

    BMW said it expects the earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) margin for the automotive segment to fall within a range between 0% and 3% this year, adjusting its outlook from a previously expected margin range of between 2% and 4%.

    “The decisive factor for the adjustment is that the measures to contain the coronavirus pandemic are lasting longer in several markets and are thus leading to a broader negative impact than was foreseeable in mid-March,” BMW said.

    Delivery volumes in these markets will not rebound within a few weeks as BMW had assumed, with the highest negative impact now expected in the second quarter of 2020, the carmaker said, cautioning that matters could still get worse.

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    “The updated guidance does not, in particular, include, a longer and deeper recession in major markets, a more severe economic slowdown in China as a result of recessions in other parts of the world,” BMW added.

    Further margin pressure could come from market distortions caused by an even stronger competitive environment or from the second wave of infections and associated containment measures.

    The Munich-based group further said it now expects deliveries of motorcycles to be down significantly from 2019 levels.

    The EBIT margin in the motorcycles segment will now be within a range of between 3% and 5%, rather than 6% and 8%, BMW said.

    Last month BMW warned it was expecting a further decline in global demand even after a 20.6% drop in first-quarter sales to 477,111 vehicles.

    BMW said in March that its pre-tax profit and vehicle deliveries would drop significantly this year as the coronavirus spreads, and that this – combined with higher research and development spending – would lower the profit margin in its automotive segment.

    BMW is due to publish first-quarter earnings on May 6.

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  • BMW Begins Online Sales For New & Used Cars Amidst Lockdown In India

    BMW Begins Online Sales For New & Used Cars Amidst Lockdown In India

    Joining the likes of Mercedes-Benz, Honda, and Volkswagen, BMW India has announced its new online platform for the sale of new and used cars. The new BMW Contactless Experience takes the car buying process virtual and enables customers to explore and buy not just new vehicles but pre-owned cars as well. In addition, the Contactless Experience allows customers to book vehicle service and make payments online, all from the safety of their homes. The BMW Contactless Experience was introduced on April 2, 2020, in the country. The new initiative is a part of several measures taken by the automaker for customers during the lockdown.

    Speaking on the new initiative, Arlindo Teixeira, Acting President, BMW Group India said, “At BMW, customers are at the core of everything we do. Amidst the current pandemic situation, we have successfully transformed our business processes and put in place various measures to effectively and efficiently serve our existing customers and prospects by leveraging new-age digital technologies. An industry-first comprehensive initiative, the BMW Contactless Experience offers consumers an all-new way to explore and experience the world of BMW while being in the comfort of their homes. Since its launch in April 2020, we have seen a tremendous increase in customer engagement, configuration requests, and virtual product presentations on this platform. As business dynamics evolve post the current COVID -19 pandemic, the BMW Contactless Experience will play a crucial role in offering seamless sales and aftersales services to our existing and new customers. We will bring joy to our customers no matter where they are.”

    The BMW Contactless Experience not only allows customers to learn about their vehicle online but also personalize their preferred car, finance options, and service packages. A dealer representative online will be interacting with the customer online in real-time to guide the same. Customers can also have a 360-degree view of the vehicle on their phones, tablets of personal devices, and interact with the sales consultant. BMW Financial Services will also help procure finance for the vehicles with customized financial solutions, depending on the customer.

    For existing BMW customers, the Contactless Experience extends to booking a service appointment online, type of service required, and the pick-up and drop details. The service cost estimates and details of the service are sent for customer approval using BMW Smart Video. The serviced vehicles are also fully sanitized before being delivered to customers. The deliveries and servicing, however, will be done adhering to the local government directives post the lockdown. Ensuring the safety of the customers, BMW will sanitize the cars before delivering it to the customer with all the physical documents in a sanitized envelope.

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