The BMW Group Manufacturing Thailand plant in Rayong has achieved a new historic milestone as it surpasses 100,000 vehicles built for BMW, MINI, and BMW Motorrad on the verge of its 18th year of operations. The plant’s capabilities will continue to expand in the future under a clear strategy aimed at enhancing both human resources and technological expertise.

Throughout 2018, BMW Group Manufacturing Thailand will lay the foundations for the future with advanced training and qualification programs involving the assembly of high-voltage batteries (HVB). Organized in Germany by world-class experts from BMW Group, the program will provide participating staff from Plant Rayong with valuable opportunities to develop specialized skills for high-tech assembly work – including cutting-edge equipment and processes such as laser welding, plasma activation, robotics, and high-voltage testing. These staff will follow in the footsteps of a number of qualified plant staff who previously undertook an HVB training program at a BMW plant in Germany.

“One of the pillars of BMW Group’s global strategy is electrification, and BMW Group Manufacturing Thailand is fully committed to the same mission,” said Mr. Jeffrey Gaudiano, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer. “With four BMW plug-in hybrid models already rolling out from our assembly lines, our next step is to prepare for high-voltage batteries – along with other advanced technologies – within 2019.”

In addition to HVBs, BMW Group Manufacturing Thailand is introducing a wide range of technological innovations to further drive the level of expertise, quality, and craftsmanship in its assembly lines. Additive manufacturing – or 3D printing – offers customized vehicle parts for the customers while the addition of robots to the plant offer flexible assistance systems in production. 3D visualization and augmented reality technologies are recognized as the modernization of work environment in the company’s production areas. In addition, it will be possible to further reduce ergonomically unfavorable and strenuous tasks, giving plant staff an opportunity to apply their unique cognitive skills to the best effect.

In addition, human resource investment at the Rayong plant continue its course in 2018.
Mr. Gaudiano said that, “With the start of our Dual Excellence in Education vocational training program, emphasizing in Mechatronics since 2015, in conjunction with the Thai-Austrian Technical College in Sattahip and Chitralada School (vocational program), we also integrate the latest topic of the future technology, such as the HVB assembly, in the foundation course. In addition to training in the latest technological topics such as Mechanical Component for Mechatronics work and technology CNC/CAD/CAM, we will also integrate the topics of Automated Guide Vehicle Program Coding in collaboration with the Thai German-Graduate School of Engineering (TGGS) and PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) battery technology for the apprentice students. Through such programs, we envision Thailand as an automotive production hub for ASEAN.”

Meanwhile, Plant Rayong remains fully committed to its sustainability goals after achieving the capability to produce zero waste to landfills since 2016. The introduction of additional alternative energy technologies in order to achieve energy independence will also help support the longer-term goal of sustainability within the plant’s vicinity.

“This is yet another milestone the BMW Group Manufacturing Thailand. The spirit of our team at Plant Thailand allowed us to increase efficiency, contribute to continuous growth, and earn the trust as one of the most flexible plants within the BMW production network. The skill, experience, and craftsmanship of our operators enabled us to build superior quality into our great products and earn the trust of our customers.” Mr. Gaudiano concluded.

2017 was also an important year for BMW Financial Services Thailand following the introduction of BMW FREEDOM CHOICE – a new way for customers to access a BMW with guaranteed future value and a choice between full ownership or moving on to a new BMW at the end of the agreement.

“Strong collaboration between all entities within the BMW Group Thailand and our dealer network has led to another record year for us”, said Mr. Björn Antonsson, Chief Executive Officer of BMW Financial Services Thailand. “Our overall portfolio value reached an all-time high of 40.4 billion baht in 2017, whereas the BMW Group brand new business volume has increased by 22% to reach over 12.5 billion baht in 2017. We are very much looking forward to keeping the momentum going in 2018 with game-changing innovations such as BMW FREEDOM CHOICE.”

BMW Group Thailand also continued its mission to bring clean water to the Thai people in need in the Care4Water initiative. A collaborative effort with our authorized BMW dealers and the US-based nonprofit organization Waves For Water, the Care4Water project seeks to elevate quality of life, enable a healthier way of living, and tackle health issues by providing communities in need with solutions that provide sustainable access to clean water. Participating communities also gained a deeper understanding of the benefits of clean water as well as expertise in installing and maintaining water filtration systems for long-term use.

Until end of 2017, BMW Group Thailand and dealers have rolled out more than 3,434 water filter systems to 38 communities in Thailand under the Care4Water initiative. One filter can provide 100 people with clean water every day. As a consequence, the company provided up to 343,400 Thai people with access to clean water at this point. Furthermore, volunteers from BMW Group Thailand visited the communities throughout the year to ensure a genuine positive impact on quality of life.

“This is our commitment as a dedicated corporate citizen of the Kingdom of Thailand,” Mr. Björn Antonsson concluded.

The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. The BMW Group production network comprises 31 production and assembly facilities in 14 countries; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2017, the BMW Group sold over 2,463,500 passenger vehicles and more than 164,000 motorcycles worldwide. As of 31 December 2016, the BMW Group had a workforce of 124,729 employees.

The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain, comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy.

BMW Group Thailand

BMW Group Thailand, a subsidiary of BMW AG, Germany, was established on the 3rd October 1998. The three entities of BMW Group Thailand include BMW (Thailand) Co., Ltd. with responsibility for wholesales & marketing of BMW Group products, BMW Manufacturing (Thailand) Co., Ltd. with responsibility for BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad local production, and BMW Leasing (Thailand) Co., Ltd. with responsibility for financial services offerings to both wholesale and retail customers.

In 2017, BMW Group Thailand achieved a historic sales record with 11,030 BMW and MINI vehicles delivered to customers from January to December 2017, an increase of 39% year-on-year and the first-ever 5-digit sales figure in the company’s history. BMW Motorrad also had the best-ever record with 2,001 motorcycle deliveries, 10% higher than the same period last year. These milestones have made 2017 the most successful 12-month period for all of BMW Group Thailand’s three business units – with BMW Thailand in particular posting the highest growth rate across BMW Group’s global network at 43%.

On the production side, the BMW Group Manufacturing Thailand plant was founded on BMW Group’s strong belief in the growth potential of Asian markets and Thailand in particular with its unique location, strong manufacturing base, and ready supply of skilled automotive labor, being an automotive hub for ASEAN. On-going investment has been put into the expansion of plant Rayong in terms of assembling processes, aiming to meet growing customer demand. In addition, with approximately 4 billion Thai Baht representing the amount of annual purchasing in Thailand, the BMW Global Purchasing office has been established in Thailand. This is to source various components from local suppliers in Thailand and the broader ASEAN region, in order to supply the entire BMW production network of 31 production and assembly facilities, located in 14 countries worldwide.

As of 2017, BMW Group Manufacturing Thailand produces the following 17 models: BMW 1 Series, BMW 3 Series, BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo, BMW 5 Series, BMW 7 Series, BMW X1, BMW X3, BMW X4 and BMW X5. For BMW Motorrad the BMW F 800 R, BMW F 800 GS, BMW F 700 GS, BMW R 1200 GS, BMW R 1200 GS Adventure, BMW S 1000 R, BMW S 1000 RR and BMW S 1000 XR are also locally assembled at the plant. In addition, BMW Group Manufacturing Thailand now assembles four BMW plug-in hybrid models; BMW 330e, BMW 530e, BMW X5 xDrive40e and BMW 740Le.

Starting from May 2016, BMW Group Manufacturing Thailand’s assembly line capability has been expanded for the purpose of exporting the BMW X3 and BMW X5 to China as well.

For further information, please contact:
BMW Group Thailand
1-800-269-269
www.bmw.co.th
www.mini.co.th
www.bmw-motorrad.co.th

Media Contacts:
Carl Byoir & Associates
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Thornthawat Thongnab (08-3225-4567 or 0-2627-3501 ext.206)
Pichanan Toonkamthornchai (08-5157-7557 or 0-2627-3501 ext.101)
sboonsaeng@carlbyoir.com, tthongnab@carlbyoir.com, ptoonkamthornchai@carlbyoir.com