BMW 2014 Annual Report Download - page 19

19 COMBINED MANAGEMENT REPORT
motive Ltd. joint venture opened an engine plant in
Shenyang
(China), which supplies petrol engines to its
neighbouring plants.
The primary function of the BMW Group’s assembly
plants is to serve nearby regional markets. BMW cars are
currently being assembled in Chennai (India), Jakarta
(Indonesia), Cairo (Egypt), Kaliningrad (Russia), Kulim
(Malaysia) and Rayong (Thailand). Production at the
BMW Group’s newest plant in Araquari (Brazil) cur-
rently covers the BMW 3 Series and the X1, and will be
extended to include the BMW 1 Series, the X3 and the
MINI Countryman over the course of 2015.
The MINI models – Hatch (3- and 5-door), Convertible,
Coupé and Roadster – are manufactured at the Oxford
plant (United Kingdom). The UK production triangle
also includes
the components plant in Swindon as well
as
the engine plant at Hams Hall, where petrol engines
are
manufactured for MINI and BMW. In Graz (Austria),
Magna Steyr Fahrzeugtechnik manufactures the MINI
Countryman and, since 2012, the MINI Paceman for
the BMW Group. In 2014 the Dutch car manufacturer,
VDL Nedcar bv (Born) began producing the MINI Hatch
on behalf of the BMW Group.
The Rolls-Royce Phantom, Ghost and Wraith models
are manufactured exclusively at the Goodwood plant
(United Kingdom).
BMW motorcycle models roll off the production lines at
the BMW Group plant in Berlin. Car brake discs are
also produced at this location. Two further motorcycle
assembly plants are located in Manaus (Brazil) and
Rayong (Thailand).
The worldwide distribution network currently consists
of around 3,250 BMW, 1,550 MINI and 130 Rolls-Royce
dealerships. In China alone, more than 40 BMW dealer-
ships and 30 MINI dealerships were opened in 2014.
Products and services are sold in Germany through
BMW Group branches and by independent authorised
dealers. Sales outside Germany are handled primarily
by subsidiary companies and, in a number of markets,
by independent import companies. The dealership
and agency network for BMW i currently covers some
650 locations. The sales network for BMW motorcycles
is organised in a similar way to the automobile business.
Currently, there are around 1,000 BMW Motorrad dealer-
ships
worldwide.
Our premium brands – BMW, MINI and RollsRoyce –
are well known and highly admired around the globe
for their innovative technologies and state-of-the-art
design. The BMW Group provides the full spectrum of
individual mobility, ranging from premium-segment
small vehicles through to ultra-luxurious and powerful
vehicles. Our entire product range is linked by one
characteristic: efficiency. The MINI brand is a veritable
icon in the premium small car segment, offering unri-
valled driving pleasure in its class. Rolls-Royce has a
long and distinguished tradition in the ultra-luxury seg-
ment
stretching back over more than 100 years. Our
core BMW brand satisfies a broad spectrum of customer
wishes, ranging from fuel-efficient, innovative models
equipped with Efficient Dynamics through to high-
per-
formance, extremely efficient BMW M sub-brand vehi-
cles, which bring the flair of motor sport onto the roads.
All BMW vehicles share one thing in common: their im-
pressive driving dynamics.
Our understanding of the term “premium” is now being
taken to a new level with the BMW i brand. Inspired
through and through by the desire for even greater sus-
tainability, the BMW i epitomises the vehicle of the
future – with its electric drivetrain, revolutionary light-
weight construction, exceptional design and an entirely
newly designed range of mobility services.
BMW Motorrad also focuses on the premium segment
and offers a range of motorcycles for the Tourer, Enduro,
Sport and Roadster segments as well as Maxi-Scooter
for urban mobility. A wide
range of accessories and
equipment is also available,
providing additional safety
and comfort to customers.
The Financial Services segment, which works in tandem
with the sales organisation, is represented in more than
50 countries around the world. Credit financing and
the lease of BMW Group brand cars and motorcycles to
retail customers is its largest line of business. The BMW
Group’s international multi-brand fleet business, oper-
ating under the brand name “Alphabet”, provides fleet
financing products and comprehensive management
services for corporate car fleets in 19 countries. Within
the multi-brand financing line of business, credit financ-
ing, leasing and other services are marketed to retail
customers under the brand name “Alphera”. The seg-
ment’s range of products is rounded off by providing
support to the dealer organisation and offering insurance
and banking services.