The statement of uniqueness and exclusivity of the BMW X7 comes from the perfect fusion of the ultimate luxury of the BMW 7 Series with the everyday practicality of the BMW SAV. After making sense of the ‘package’, consisting of the concept and requirements for this top-secret design project, the designers had to turn their ideas into a functional, sensible and visually fascinating future vehicle that maintained the spirit and character of the BMW brand. The competition began with a handful of BMW’s designers expressing their ideas in countless hand-drawn 2D images. Only the final three proceeded to the next step in the competition.

“For me, this first process is actually the most fun as designers get to express their imagination through hand-drawn sketches without as many limitations as in the following processes. We start by looking at the big picture or the exterior of the car, like the dimensions, proportions and the position of the wheelhouse. We then move on to the smaller picture, such as the angle of each line on the surface or the details of the interior. The top three designs are selected from a pool of sketches that can best answer the requirements of the package,” Mr. Junghanns said.

In the next process, the sketches are brought to life at a 1:1 scale starting with tape drawings on a wall. The designers draw the proportions of the vehicle onto a base plan using a special kind of flexible tape and from this, the first 3D-prototype is shaped using CAS models combined with the use of AR (Augmented Reality) technology, which allows the designers to work with the prototype in real surroundings. This process involves designers and design technicians working together to refine the prototype. The final decision is made by the management board who will select the designs. The chosen designs then move on to the next design loop. Throughout the process, fine-tuning experts including designers, engineers and technicians work in close coordination to make sure that the car matches BMW’s premium standard and unique character. The overall process from the very first sketch to the final concept introduced to the public usually takes approximately 3-4 years.

Mr. Junghanns added, “The design of the BMW X7 redefines BMW’s design philosophy with a new design language. This embraces the contrast between two opposite worlds of the BMW 7 Series and the models of the X-Portfolio, which is juxtaposed with precise and powerful lines on a poetic surface. The most eye-catching elements of the BMW X7 are its large kidney grille and air curtains that are positioned vertically in contrast to the slim horizontal headlights and the character line along the sides from the front to the rear. The BMW X7 is the embodiment of BMW’s new design philosophy that offers a simple yet powerful stance of the vehicle.”

The use of light is also an important design factor in the BMW X7. The feeling of elegance both from the interior and the exterior is generated by the Panorama glass roof Sky Lounge that allows natural light to shine through, the ambient light featuring 6 lighting hues, and the CraftedClarity interior elements in glass that reflect the lights from the gear selector, iDrive controller, engine start/stop button and volume control button.

“I am very proud to be part of the team that designed the BMW X7 from sketching the very first line up to this moment, when we are about to see the X7 on the road. It is essential for every designer to be able to create an attractive appearance that matches the advanced driving technologies in a design that is able to transcend time while embodying the unique character of BMW. I have no doubt that the X7 is truly a masterpiece for BMW,” concluded Mr. Junghanns.

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 30 production and assembly facilities in 14 countries; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2018, the BMW Group sold over 2,490,000 passenger vehicles and more than 165,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2017 was € 10.655 billion on revenues amounting to € 98.678 billion. As of 31 December 2017, the BMW Group had a workforce of 129,932 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 and BMW Motorrad local production, and BMW Leasing (Thailand) Co., Ltd. with responsibility for financial services offerings to both wholesale and retail customers.

In 2018, BMW Group Thailand has reached the new all-time highs with 12,036 BMW deliveries, representing a 20% increase year-on-year and the highest growth rate across BMW’s global networks for the second consecutive year. The sales of BMW plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEV) also achieved a record-high growth rate of 122% in Thailand over the past year. While MINI and BMW Motorrad also achieved the new record in sales with 1,051 vehicles MINI deliveries (growing sales by 4% year-on-year) and 2,154 BMW Motorcycles deliveries (growing sales by 8% year-on-year).

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 30 production and assembly facilities, located in 14 countries worldwide.

BMW Group Manufacturing Thailand produces the following 12 models: BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo, BMW 5 Series, BMW 7 Series, BMW X1, and BMW X3. For BMW Motorrad, the BMW F 750 GS, BMW F 850 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 two BMW plug-in hybrid models; BMW 530e and BMW 740Le.

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

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