BMW 2004 Annual Report Download - page 28

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evaluation of partner networks. The BMW Group
expects its business partners and suppliers to apply
these principles as the foundation for mutual busi-
ness and believes that they are an important criterion
for lasting business relationships. Further informa-
tion about these principles and their application are
contained in the BMW Group’s Sustainable Value
Report 2003/2004, which can be down-loaded from
the Internet at www.bmwgroup.com/sustainability.
Improved access for business partners via the
BMW Group Partner Portal
Utilisation of the BMW Group Partner Portal increased
significantly in 2004: some 40,000 internal users and
more than 14,500 external users from 3,100 busi-
ness partner entities are currently able to access
almost 50 applications relating to development, pur-
chasing, production and logistics.
The main focus of the portal, which was started
in 2003 and developed further in 2004, has been
the use of web-based processes and technologies
in cooperation with suppliers and development
partners. The objectives of the portal are to achieve
best-in-class availability of information and, hence,
transparency of the procurement market for the
BMW Group as well as to accelerate the process of
reaching agreement with suppliers.
Sales network further expanded
As part of the implementation of its market offensive,
the BMW Group further expanded its international
sales network in 2004 and is now represented in
34 countries via its own sales companies. More than
120 countries are handled by local importers.
The creation of additional subsidiaries creates
the optimal conditions for the BMW Group to ex-
ploit the potential of each individual market, particu-
larly in the converging European market. For exam-
ple, the BMW Group set up a new subsidiary in
Hungary with effect from 1 May 2004 and a further
sales company started operations in Portugal on
1January 2005.
A direct connection between the dealer opera-
tions and the BMW Group is guaranteed in all of the
ten countries which joined the European Union on
1May.This will happen either through the company’s
own subsidiaries, as in Hungary or Poland, or via
corresponding service contracts with the various
national importers.This link is the basis for uniform
compliance with the new Block Exemption Regulation
for car sales in the European Union. The customer
therefore benefits from the same high BMW Group
standards at each location.
In parallel to the BMW Group’s model initiative,
the worldwide dealer organisation continues to in-
vest in facilities so that the wider model range,
and the BMW Group’s growth in general, will come
across to customers and potential buyers as a posi-
tive experience.
At present, the dealer organisation for the
BMW brand comprises more than 3,000 locations
around the world. By the end of 2004, the number
of locations serving the MINI brand had increased
to almost 1,500.This means that the MINI brand is
present in more than 75 countries.
The worldwide retailing network for Rolls-Royce
motor cars is now virtually complete. Vehicles are
currently being retailed by 68 dealers around the
world.