AFTER 100 YEARS, THE BMW GROUP IS READY FOR THE FUTURE
The best way to prepare for the future is to shape it for yourself.
On March 7, 2016, the BMW Group celebrated its 100th anniversary with a spectacular event in Munich introducing the world to our vision of future mobility. We have enjoyed an incredible 100year history filled with milestones and achievements which have shaped the automotive industry.
Now, more importantly, is the question of what the next 100 years will look like.
It is a common belief within the BMW Group that this industry will change more in the next 10 years than it has in the last 100. That’s a staggering concept, but a challenge the BMW Group is well prepared to tackle.
The BMW 7 Series is proof of our leadership in making cars safer, smarter and simply more enjoyable for drivers. Today, the new 7 Series utilizes the industry’s first mass-produced Carbon Core. The carbon core is manufactured from carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) and is used in the vehicle’s passenger cell. The result is a lighter car, with greater fuel efficiency and enhanced driving performance — all while increasing structural rigidity and passenger safety. Also new to the 7 Series — and to the industry as a whole — is Gesture Control. This feature enables the driver to accept or reject a phone call, increase or decrease audio volume, and perform many functions with the simple wave of his or her hand, leaving the driver’s eyes focused on the road ahead. It’s a small example of the many technologies in place to support our drivers — including one of the safest levels of autonomous driving available today. As with so many technologies introduced by the 7 Series, these innovations will appear in more BMW products and undoubtedly will be adopted by other car companies going forward.
One of our greatest contributions to the future of mobility came in 2013 when we introduced the most thoughtful, purpose-built vehicle for inner-city mobility — the BMW i3 — and the world’s most-progressive sports car: the BMW i8. Our philosophy that a vehicle can be both efficient and dynamic became irrefutably clear. And customers have taken notice. The all-electric BMW i3 has been very well received by customers in Quebec in particular, where we have rapidly expanded our BMW i retail network over the last year.
Today, the entire Canadian network of 47 retailers supports our commitment to sustainability and low- to zero-emission mobility by installing electric vehicle charging stations at every single facility. It’s smart planning, as our new iPerformance sub-brand of plug-in hybrid vehicles continues to expand with the BMW X5 40e, 330e and the recently announced 740Le all on the market — all plugging in for short distances using 100 per cent eMobility. No other car company has more plug-in cars to offer Canadian customers today.
In Canada this year, we celebrate not only the BMW Group’s 100th anniversary, but also BMW Group Canada’s 30th anniversary.
I started with this company as it was laying its roots from coast to coast, and I’ve seen the organization grow from a handful of dealers and a few dozen employees to a company supporting 47 BMW retailers, 30 Mini retailers, and nearly two dozen Motorrad retailers, employing over 4,000 Canadian retail staff. As a company and as a retail network, we are motivated by passion. I believe it is the emotional connection to our products that separates us from any other brand out there. Our passionate fans and customers know it. They appreciate it and demand it. Thank you. Your passion pushes us forward.
So, where are we headed next? Future orientation and adaptability have always defined the BMW Group’s identity. Ever since our founding in 1916, we have played an integral role in shaping the future of mobility. We have never been afraid of change; on the contrary, we have embraced it, as demonstrated by our metamorphosis from an aircraft engine manufacturer, to a motorcycle producer, to a car company.
We produce not only what I consider to be the world’s mostincredible sports cars such as the M4 GTS, but also the world’s most innovative electric cars under BMW i. No other company offers such a diverse product portfolio for the consumer today.
We know the future is here now. Celebrating our past is not about looking over our shoulder. Celebrating our history means accepting the challenge of building the future, not simply talking about it. Our Vision Next concept vehicles represent what our engineers are focused on today — intensifying the ultimate driving experience.
The future of driving has never looked more exciting.