BMW 2003 Annual Report Download - page 173

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fits for the customer are obvious: perfect pre-sales information and consideration
of his individual wishes, as well as immediate confirmation of the delivery date,
subject to current demand. From a customer perspective, the system’s consider-
able flexibility is especially interesting. Individual changes, for example, in engine
capacity, optional equipment, colour or interior can be accommodated up to ten
working days before production begins. Each month the BMW Group records
and processes an average of more than 120,000 of these customer changes for
the BMW brand alone.
Quality without compromise. The BMW Group has set binding quality standards
for all of its production processes worldwide. These ensure that the quality of
each vehicle produced will always meet the same high standards, regardless of
which plant it may have been manufactured in. Thus, quality plays a special role
in the precision hand-building of the Rolls-Royce Phantom in Goodwood in the
south of England. Here, truly exceptional motor cars are made according to the
motto of Sir Henry Royce, “Take the best that exists and make it better”. The
key to success lies in the perfect interaction of handcrafting skills, the finest
materials and manufacturing methods. Here, too, the BMW Group benefits from
cooperation in its production network. For example, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
draws on the know-how of the aluminium competence centre in Dingolfing, where
the sophisticated aluminium body of the Rolls-Royce Phantom is precisely hand-
finished by experienced specialists.
Inspecting the surface quality of
an aluminium space frame body.
Each Rolls-Royce Phantom is
the result of the handcrafting
skills and technical expertise of
a carefully selected team. The
entire vehicle is replete with
details that can only be achieved
through meticulous handcraft-
ing, supported by the dedicated
use of ultramodern precision
engineering.