The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the automotive industry worldwide, and Thailand is no exception. Regardless, the positive momentum for BMW Group Thailand has proven remarkably resilient with total automobile deliveries across BMW and MINI brands managing to beat the downturns posted by both the overall domestic market and the premium segment.

Mr. Alexander Baraka, President, BMW Group Thailand, said, “The world is facing a challenge that is truly unprecedented in our times, however, our strong track record in recent years is proving to be a silver lining to this particular cloud with 4,164 BMW and MINI deliveries over the first half of 2020, a year-on-year decline of 24% that represents an improvement over the overall passenger car market at 41.5% as well as the premium segment at 35.5%. This solid performance has led us to capture a share of 43.6% in the premium segment, representing a remarkable boost of 6 percentage points over the half-year period.”

This momentum also extended to BMW Motorrad, with a total delivery of 616 motorcycles, a slight 6% dip year-on-year, and BMW used car sales, which went against the current with 727 deliveries, a 15% increase year-on-year.

“Even in these circumstances, our commitment to electrification of mobility remains just as strong. We have already introduced four electrified models across BMW and MINI’s lineups over the first half of the year, and the ChargeNow initiative continues to expand with new public charging stations throughout the entire year. Currently, the ChargeNow network – which includes charging stations available at our dealerships – covers 141 charging spots across 63 locations in Thailand, with each and every spot offering charging services to plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles of all makes and models. By the end of 2020, we will have reached 150 chargers in total nationwide.”

“With growing number of BMW plug-in hybrid vehicle sales, more than 1,230 wallboxes have been installed at our BMW & MINI customer’s residences or offices since 2016. Based on our statistics, more customers are now installing home or workplace chargers since they can achieve the full, eco-friendly benefits of pure-electric driving everyday with low up-front installation expenses. We are also on the way to witness 1,840 wallbox installations at our customers’ places within the coming months.”

In recent years, BMW Group Thailand has expanded its commitment to provide customers with the widest possible array of choices when it comes to owning a BMW. In fact, the annual BMW Xpo event itself was initially conceived with the same customer-centric mindset to bring the BMW experience closer to customers by taking the vehicles out of the showrooms and into everyday social spaces like shopping malls.

“From electrified drivetrains to diesel efficiency and gasoline-powered excitement, we have been delivering sheer driving pleasure on our customers’ own terms. As a matter of fact, customers preferring the exceptional efficiency of diesel powertrains can rest assured as all new BMW models with diesel engines we currently offer in the Thai market are certified compatible with B10 biodiesel. There is no impact on the engine’s warranty from the use of B10 in these engines.” said Mr. Galdric Donnezan, Sales & Marketing Director, BMW Thailand. “With the BMW Xpo 2020, we are bringing even more choices in time and place for everyone to experience first-hand the joy a BMW can offer. We will also be presenting a range of exceptionally attractive special offers that put premium mobility within easier reach – including proven favorites such as the supremely elegant BMW 5 Series or the urban versatility of the BMW X1.”

The latest edition of the BMW Xpo brings with it a more expansive portfolio of offers than ever, each tailored to match the discerning expectations of BMW customers.

Customers booking a BMW during the BMW Xpo 2020 period with vehicle handover within September 30, 2020 will be able to take advantage of these exclusive offers*:

• 10,000 THB gasoline voucher for BMW X1, BMW 2 Series, BMW 3 Series
• 20,000 THB gasoline voucher for BMW 4 Series, BMW 5 Series, BMW X3, BMW X4, BMW X5, BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo and BMW Z4
• 30,000 THB gasoline voucher for BMW 7 Series, BMW X6, BMW X7, BMW 8 Series, and BMW M and BMW i models
  • All bookings at the BMW Xpo 2020 come with BMW Miniature Cars

Customers interested in purchasing the below BMW models and choosing to finance their purchase with BMW Financial Services Thailand with vehicle handover within October 31, 2020 will be eligible for the following special offers:

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 15 countries; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries. 

In 2019, the BMW Group recorded new all-time highs with over 2.5 million passenger vehicles, an increase of 1.2% from the previous year, and 175,000 motorcycles, up 5.8% year-on-year, delivered to customers worldwide. Global sales of electrified BMW and MINI vehicles grew by 2.2% to 145,815 cars, taking the total number of electrified BMW Group vehicles on the road to half a million. As of 31 December 2019, the BMW Group had a workforce of 133,778 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 are 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 2019, BMW Group Thailand recorded a stable performance with 12,954 BMW and MINI deliveries. The sales of MINI in Thailand achieved the highest growth rate across MINI’s global networks with 1,204 deliveries, growing by 15% year-on-year. BMW’s luxury segment also enjoyed remarkable results from sales volume of the BMW 7 Series, BMW 8 Series, BMW X7, and BMW i8, recording double-digit growth at 39% year-on-year, while the BMW Premium Selection certified used car program grew by 16% 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 31 production and assembly facilities, located in 15 countries worldwide. 

BMW Group Manufacturing Thailand produces the following 16 models: BMW 3 Series sedan, BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo, BMW 5 Series, BMW 7 Series, BMW X1, BMW X3 and BMW X5. For BMW Motorrad, the BMW F 900 R, BMW F 900 XR, BMW F 750 GS, BMW F 850 GS, BMW F 850 GS Adventure, BMW R 1250 GS, BMW R 1250 GS Adventure, BMW S 1000 R and BMW S 1000 RR are also locally assembled at the plant. In addition, BMW Group Manufacturing Thailand now assembles five BMW plug-in hybrid models; BMW 330e, BMW 530e, BMW X3 xDrive30e, BMW X5 xDrive45e and BMW 745Le xDrive.

For further information, please contact:

BMW Group Thailand 

1397
www.bmw.co.th     
www.mini.co.th     
www.bmw-motorrad.co.th      

Media Contacts:

Carl Byoir & Associates 

Suthatip Boonsaeng (08-7685-1695 or0-2627-3501 ext.102)

Thornthawat Thongnab (08-3225-4567 or 0-2627-3501 ext.206) 

Pawalisa Thanawajeran (08-6564-4726 or 0-2627-3501 ext.125)

Pichanan Toonkamthornchai (08-5157-7557 or 0-2627-3501 ext.101) 

sboonsaeng@carlbyoir.com, tthongnab@carlbyoir.com, pthanawajeran@carlbyoir.com, ptoonkamthornchai@carlbyoir.com