BMW 2010 Annual Report Download - page 41

39 GROUP MANAGEMENT REPORT
Sustainability of value-added chains
Adherence to the high ecological and social standards of
the BMW Group was again a key criterion for selecting
suppliers in 2010. Our main focus of attention was on the
intensive evaluation and supervision of the production
locations of our suppliers worldwide. The same princi-
ples are applied for observing in-house components and
bought-in parts over the complete product life cycle,
from the acquisition of raw materials to the recycling of
waste material.
Model range expanded
We continued our new product initiative throughout
thecourse of 2010. After its introduction on European
markets at the end of 2009, the worldwide launch of the
highly successful BMW X1 was continued in 2010. The
new BMW 5 Series Sedan was launched on selected mar-
kets in spring 2010 and has been available worldwide
since June. Sales of the new BMW 5 Series Touring com-
menced in September. The extended wheelbase version
of the BMW 5 Series Sedan, specially designed for the
Chinese market, has been available there since the be-
ginning of September. The new BMW X3 was presented
at the Paris Motor Show at the beginning of October.
Thesecond generation of this successful model had been
available on the markets since the end of November. We
also presented various concept studies to the public. In
April 2010, in Beijing, we presented the BMW Concept
Gran Coupé as an example of the new generation of large
BMW Coupés. In October, the BMW Concept 6 Series
Coupé was presented at the Paris Motor Show as a pre-
view of the new BMW 6 Series Coupé. In mid-November
we announced that a new BMW 6 Series Convertible
would be available in spring 2011.
Countryman added to MINI family
The year 2010 marked the introduction of the fourth
member of the MINI family. The unveiling of the MINI
Countryman at the Geneva International Motor Show
at the beginning of 2010 was followed by the sales
launch on European markets in September 2010 and
introduction in Asia and the Americas at the beginning
of 2011.
The MINI Countryman represents a significant addition
to the MINI portfolio. With its four doors and four-
wheeldrive, the model is designed to appeal to a new
target
group. This represents another step on the way
toMINI becoming a multi-product brand. The exist-
ingmodel
range had been revised during the previous
year.
With three victories at the Monte Carlo Rally, the MINI
had already become an inherent part of rally sport back
in the sixties. We intend to continue in this tradition.
Therally version of the new MINI Countryman will take
part in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) as
from 2011.
Range of mobility services broadened
In its Strategy Number ONE, the BMW Group set itself
the task of becoming the world’s leading provider of