BMW Group opens UK BMW Brand Store

Munich/London. BMW Group celebrated the opening of its UK BMW Brand Store last night. Located on London’s prestigious Park Lane, where the company has had a presence for over 40 years, the 850m² flagship store was designed in collaboration with luxury retail architects from the fashion rather than the automotive industry.

The new store was opened by Ian Robertson, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Sales and Marketing, BMW. Speaking at the opening he said: “We wanted to create a new retail experience that brings the BMW brand to life for both our existing and a wider spectrum of prospective customers. This new store gives them the opportunity to get closer to the brand and experience the world of BMW.”

As part of a wider retail initiative known as Future Retail, BMW Group has started a comprehensive programme to enhance customer experience. “We aim to set new standards for retail in the automotive industry. The programme has three objectives – first, to increase the number of possible contact points with customers and prospects, second, to increase the services and benefits offered in its retail channels, and third, to enhance the retail experience at all touch points,” said Robertson.

The BMW Brand Store completes work on BMW Group UK’s Park Lane complex which features an adjacent MINI showroom and a BMW i Store.

The opening event was also a celebration of the recent London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, marking the pivotal role BMW Group Park Lane played in supporting BMW Group operations for the London 2012 Games fleet. Athletes from the BMW London 2012 Performance Team joined the opening including Ellie Simmonds, David Weir, Louis Smith, Tim Brabants, Tom Aggar, Richard Mantell and Simon Mantell.

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The BMW Group

The BMW Group is one of the most successful manufacturers of automobiles and motorcycles in the world with its BMW, MINI, Husqvarna Motorcycles  and Rolls-Royce brands. As a global company, the BMW Group operates 29 production and assembly facilities in 14 countries and has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2011, the BMW Group sold about 1.67 million cars and more than 113,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax for the financial year 2011 was euro 7.38 billion on revenues amounting to euro 68.82 billion. At 31 December 2011, the BMW Group had a workforce of approximately 100,000 employees.

The success of the BMW Group has always been built on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain, comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy. As a result of its efforts, the BMW Group has been ranked industry leader in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes for the last eight years.

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For further information please contact:

Angela Stangroom              Group Communications Manager

01344 480283                     Email: angela.stangroom@bmw.co.uk

Graham Biggs                       Corporate Communications Director

Tel:  01344 480109            Email:  graham.biggs@bmw.co.uk

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Customer website:              www.bmw.co.uk