BMW Group UK launches new digital car locator for prospective customers.

BMW and MINI retailers across the UK have reopened their doors to customers, and as inbound enquiries continue to rise, BMW Group UK has launched new digital car locator tools on the BMW and MINI websites to support customers with their next purchase. The launch of this new tool is the result of the BMW Group’s investment in STRATEGY NUMBER ONE > NEXT, which leverages the most innovative technologies and digitalisation to deliver unique customer experiences.

BMW and MINI customers using the New Car Locator will have real time access to the entire network of new stock vehicles at retailers across the UK. Each vehicle listing provides extensive technical details, specification information, pricing and accompanying imagery.

To start the process customers select the models they are interested in and set their initial budget (monthly or ‘on the road’). They enter their postcode and are prompted to select one retailer from a list of their five closest locations. Newly introduced functionality provides for a powerful search of the retailer’s local, group and national new vehicle stock that is typically available for handover within two weeks.

Vehicles can be sorted by ‘on the road’ pricing, or, thanks to full integration with BMW Financial Services, by the customer’s monthly payment budget. The latter feature supports a high level of refinement as customers are able to adjust their finance product, deposit contribution, contract duration and/or mileage terms to suit their circumstances.

Results can then be filtered based on personal preferences such as colour combinations, fuel types, transmission and more. Up to three vehicles can be added to a shortlist throughout the refinement process and compared side by side in detail.

Once the perfect vehicle has been identified, the final step of the process involves either submitting a contact enquiry to the chosen retailer, or paying a £500 reservation deposit by credit or debit card there and then. Where customers choose to reserve their car online, their selected retailer will contact them directly to discuss the next step.

Following a challenging period for the automotive industry, BMW Group brands in the UK are now seeing a sustained rise in web traffic. BMW online car reservations were up by 130% in May on the previous month, with this trend continuing into June. The launch of the new vehicle locator tool comes at the right time for customers who are researching their next car purchase.

Chris Brownridge, Sales Director, BMW Group UK said: “BMW and MINI customers have high expectations, and these extend well beyond the vehicle into the purchase process itself. BMW Group is taking the lead and investing in digital sales platforms, ensuring that customers have a premium experience throughout the purchase journey.

“In what is clearly going to be a challenging year for automotive retail, it is more important than ever that we provide customers with the right tools to research their next vehicle from home. The new BMW and MINI vehicle locators deliver more choice for our customers with powerful search tools and seamless integration into our national and retailer websites, providing a full end-to-end customer experience. The investment in this technology also supports our retail partners by promoting all their current stock to potential customers, digitally, for the first time.”

ENDS

The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. The BMW Group production network comprises 31 production and assembly facilities in 15 countries; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2019, the BMW Group sold over 2.5 million passenger vehicles and more than 175,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2019 was € 7.118 billion on revenues amounting to € 104.210 billion. As of 31 December 2019, the BMW Group had a workforce of 126,016 employees.

The success of the BMW Group has always been based 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.

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For further information please contact:

Helen Wilson
BMW Group Media Relations Executive
Tel: 07815 372 480
Email: Helen.Wilson@bmw.co.uk

Chris Overall
BMW Media Relations Manager
Tel: 07815 370 990
Email: Chris.Overall@bmw.co.uk

Emma Begley
General Manager, Communications
Tel: 07815 371 062
Email: Emma.Begley@bmw.co.uk

Graham Biggs
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: 07815 376 867
Email: Graham.Biggs@bmw.co.uk