Ladies and Gentlemen, Welcome to Beijing! I’m delighted to be here again!
I think you’ll agree: The film showed that BMW Motorrad is surely the
purest form of “Sheer Driving Pleasure” and fun on two wheels – both
in the city and on winding country roads. That makes China the ideal
place for BMW Motorrad. Because this country has everything a biker’s
heart desires: deserts, mountains, endless highways and pulsating
cities. I firmly believe that BMW Motorrad has huge potential in
China. More on that in a moment…
2015 was the fifth consecutive record year for BMW Motorrad
worldwide. More than 136,000 customers chose a BMW motorcycle last
year – an increase of almost 11 per cent year-on-year.
This positive trend continued in the first quarter of 2016, with more
than 33,500 motorcycles sold in the first three months of the year –
an increase of over 7% from the previous year.
We intend to continue this success – and have set ourselves ambitious
goals to do so:
- We aim to increase sales to 200,000 units by 2020.
- We will continue to grow our range of models, and
- Expand our commitment in existing markets and develop new markets
–focusing on Asia and South America. This includes China, where we
will extend our activities.
The G 310 R plays an important part in our plans. It will extend our
model portfolio in the segment for bikes below 500cc. As an ambassador
of our brand, it will represent the values of BMW Motorrad in this
segment. Over the next 12 months, we will also be offering our 300
Series here in China.
And it doesn’t stop there. We plan to offer a whole family in the
middle cc segment to take advantage of strong growth in this market.
China will play a major part in our growth strategy. BMW Motorrad has
had tremendous success in expanding its business here in the past few
years. In 2015, we almost doubled the sales and we are looking to
build on this in 2016.
The signs are extremely positive: In the first quarter of 2016, our
motorcycle sales in China were almost 75% higher than the previous
year. And we will use this momentum. We will be introducing a total of
nine new models here in China in 2016 alone.
The year got off to a great start for MINI, as well as BMW Motorrad.
Globally, both BMW Motorrad and MINI performed exceptionally well in
the first quarter of our centenary year.
We have never sold as many motorcycles and MINIs as in the first
three months of this year.
Naturally, MINI is also here at the show and will be introducing the
youngest members of the family: the new MINI Convertible and the new
MINI Clubman.
Later, at Rolls Royce, you’ll see the highlights we have in store for
our Chinese customers in the super-luxury segment.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We have been shaping individual mobility worldwide for the past 100
years. Passion, engineering excellence, vision and courage are what
have made the BMW Group the global leader it is today. With BMW, MINI,
Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, we will continue to shape the future of
individual mobility. In just a moment, BMW will give you a glimpse of
what that looks like. Thank you
Speech Dr. Ian Robertson
Ni men hao ladies and gentlemen!
This is a really exciting year for the BMW Group and it’s great to be
back in China – our largest single market.
On the 7th March we launched our centenary activities in Munich, with
our focus firmly on the “Next 100 Years.
I’m delighted to announce that we’ll bring the NEXT 100 YEARS
celebrations to Beijing next week. We’re looking forward to sharing
the joy of this significant milestone with people in China.
The BMW Group has started the year on a positive note and maintained
a successful course in 2016. In the first three months of the year,
sales increased by 5.9%, to reach a new all-time high of well over
557,000 vehicles.
We continue to target growth in worldwide sales and in China in 2016.
Market development in China is normalising and we believe that the
trend will continue in a similar fashion to 2015. We fully believe in
the long-term growth potential of this market and are strongly
committed to China and the needs of our customers in this market.
Just a few months ago, I was here in Beijing to present the new BMW 7
Series. Our flagship sets new benchmarks in the luxury segment and has
had a successful start.
For the first time, we are now expanding our 7 Series lineup under
the labels of BMW M and BMW i.
BMW i underscores our commitment to be the leader in innovation and
new technologies. We will be transferring our expertise from BMW i to
“core brand” models and as of July 2016, all electrified BMW models
will be labelled BMW iPerformance. This includes the BMW 740e
iPerformance, which will be available later this year.
On the other hand – M Performance stands for a particularly dynamic
driving experience. Customers have often asked us why there isn’t an M
version of our flagship – and now we have the answer: we will put the
first M Performance variant of the BMW 7 Series – the BMW M760Li
xDrive – on the road later this year.
Expanding the range of the BMW 7 Series so that it covers everything
from high performance to low emission vehicles, demonstrates how the
BMW Group constantly evolves to exceed its customers’ wishes.
The BMW Group has always looked ahead, constantly challenging itself.
Because we are convinced that: The best way to predict the future is
to create it.
Last month, the BMW Group presented its new roadmap for the future:
Strategy Number ONENEXT. It includes a very clear strategy for BMW
M and the expansion of the BMW M product portfolio.
All BMW M vehicles share one thing in common – their impressive
driving dynamics. Demonstrating that this commitment is alive and
well, please enjoy a short film with the BMW M4 GTS…
The BMW M4 GTS is an exclusive technological showpiece, which
elevates the potential of the BMW M4 Coupe to an impressive new level.
It comes in a limited edition of 700 units to celebrate the 30th
anniversary of the BMW M3 – and there’s already been an overwhelming
customer response to this car.
For over 40 years, BMW M has been going from strength to strength.
Its success on international racetracks has been matched by the demand
from customers who value individuality, exclusivity and of course, high-performance.
The key to the future success of BMW M is strategic expansion – we
are planning to close any gaps in the M portfolio. We also see growth
potential in M Performance. In the future, M Performance will have a
significantly wider share in our model portfolio.
This means we will create more fascinating M models like the M2 Coupé
and M Performance models like the X4 M40i, which you see here at the stand.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Ten years ago – right here in Beijing – we launched the very first
BMW designed and built specifically for the needs of our Chinese
customers – the BMW 5 Series long wheelbase. Built in China, for China.
Since then, we’ve also introduced the BMW 3 Series long wheelbase.
We are driven to delight all of our customers and exceed their
expectations. And of course we do this by understanding the different
requirements and desires in every market we serve.
Today, I’m delighted to present to you the world premiere of a new
BMW vehicle tailored specifically for the Chinese market:
The all-new BMW X1 long wheelbase version is another perfect example
of our focus on the Chinese customer, as well as our commitment to the
Chinese market.
And with an extra 11 centimetres added to its wheelbase, the BMW X1
offers the most room for passengers in its segment.
It is:
- The biggest and roomiest,
- The most innovative, (Note: HUD as USP)
- And of course, the sportiest.
Quite simply, it sets the benchmark.
With standard comfort suspension, servotronic steering and
performance control, it provides unparalleled driving pleasure.
This car’s performance has been expertly balanced with an all-new
design, with authentic “X” DNA.
The exterior design language is striking: sporty and self-confident
with a real presence. Note the LED headlights, which are unique in
this segment.
The luxurious interior makes use of high quality materials put
together with precision craftsmanship – and the extra legroom provides
for a very comfortable journey.
The new BMW X1 will be produced at the Tiexi plant and will be
available for Chinese customers as of May 20th.
Thank you once again for joining us.
Please enjoy the rest of the day.
Xie Xie.