BMW 2013 Annual Report Download - page 17

17 STATEMENT OF THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF MANAGEMENT
processes. Sustainable development is an investment in our future competitiveness. We have therefore set
ourselves ambitious targets for 2020 in the relevant areas, namely products and services, production and
value creation, and employees and society. Two examples: first, we aim to reduce resource consumption per
vehicle produced by 45 % from 2006 levels by 2020. Second – also by 2020 – we aim to halve the CO2
emis-
sions of our European new vehicle fleet from 1995 levels. These currently stand at 133 g / km, but our
cus-
tomers today can already choose between 39 models with emissions of less than 120 g CO2 / km.
In the same way that we earned a competitive edge with Efficient Dynamics, we are now, once again, in-
vesting in our future. This applies equally to new models and vehicle concepts, alternative drive technologies,
new locations, mobility services and new business fields. Our research and development expenditure
therefore
increased to around € 4.8 billion in 2013. Our financial strength allows us the necessary room to do
this. In this way, we are laying the foundations today for our future success.
People shape our future – our strength lies in diversity. It is part of our philosophy as an attractive em-
ployer to invest continuously in developing the skills of our employees. In the past seven years alone, we
have
invested approximately € 1.5 billion in training. Welcoming diverse, complementary talents on board is
a further priority for us – because mirroring the diversity of our customers within the Company is another
way of optimising customer care. The actions we take together are rooted in our tradition and our culture of
cohesion. That is what makes the BMW Group so strong and unique.
Being a leader in the premium segment is about more than just good business results. As a global com-
pany in a changing world, it is both a challenge and a source of motivation for us to strive for long-term
success and profitability, to strike out independently in new directions and still remain true to our values
and reliable in our actions. We have worked hard to become the leading premium manufacturer – and we
will continue to be a pioneer. We must therefore strive to be bolder, more innovative and simply better
than our competitors.
We will build on our successful business performance in 2014, once again targeting record sales and
Group earnings. The EBIT margin in the Automotive Segment should remain between 8 and 10 %. The
main risks and uncertainties we face stem from an ever-increasing competitive environment. We continue
to face challenges in some specific markets within Europe. 2014 will be another year of ground-breaking
innovations for us, as we add a large number of new models to our portfolio. In early March, we unveiled
the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer: this all-new vehicle concept will be the first BMW model with front-wheel
drive.
In 2016, the Company will celebrate its centenary. We view this milestone not only as an opportunity to
reflect on our heritage but also to be a springboard towards the future. We hope we can count on your con-
tinued
trust and support as we move forward.
Norbert Reithofer
Chairman of the Board of Management