2020
Press Release | 2020.12.24

BMW GROUP THAILAND AWARDS SCHOLARSHIPS TO VOCATIONAL STUDENTS FROM 2 COLLEGES, HEADING INTO THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF BMW SERVICE APPRENTICE PROGRAM.

Bangkok. With its 10th anniversary approaching, the BMW Service Apprentice Program continues to enhance automotive skills among Thai vocational students as part of BMW Group Thailand’s efforts to strengthen Thailand’s stature as a leading global automotive hub. This year, BMW Group Thailand has continued its commitment with the awarding of 39 scholarships to students in batches 8 and 9 of the program from the Eastern Technological College (E.TECH) and Chitralada Vocational School, Chitralada Technology Institute. The program has been conducted with an aim to elevate skills within Thai automotive industry to match global standards and ever-evolving automotive technologies.


Since its inception in 2012, BMW Group Thailand, together with the German-Thai Chamber of Commerce (GTCC) and the BMW authorised dealer network, have joined forces to raise the standards of Thai vocational education as part of the German-Thai Dual Excellence Education program (GTDEE). Students who have been trained and pass the evaluation exam receive a diploma equivalent to the A-level standard in Germany. The BMW Service Apprentice Program has provided support to 9 batches of students totalling 185 individuals – including those currently undergoing training as well as program graduates employed within the BMW authorised dealer network.


In addition to creating a competent workforce in the BMW dealer network by enhancing these prospective technicians‘ skills, the BMW Service Apprentice Program has also expanded to cover BMW Motorrad service apprentice training since 2018. Moreover, BMW Group Manufacturing Thailand also offer a dual vocational training program with an objective to cultivate a robust knowledge of mechatronics, a skill in high demand in the automotive industry. When combined with practical skills from on-the-job training, participating students will be encouraged to learn to their fullest potential and apply their skills on an international stage.

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ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Students from the Eastern Technological College (E.TECH) in the BMW Service Apprentice Program

Students from Chitralada Vocational School, Chitralada Technology Institute in the BMW Service Apprentice Program

Students from the Eastern Technological College (E.TECH) in the BMW Service Apprentice Program

Students from Chitralada Vocational School, Chitralada Technology Institute in the BMW Service Apprentice Program

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 2 Series, BMW 3 Series, 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 

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