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BMW Group uses Blockchain to drive supply chain transparency

BMW:BMW Group uses Blockchain to drive supply chain transparency

Munich. The BMW Group is using innovative digital
technologies to optimise its processes. A good example of this is
Blockchain, a technology that enables tamper-proof data sharing, with
potential applications throughout the entire automotive value chain.
The BMW Group is using this technology in purchasing to ensure the
traceability of components and raw materials in multi-stage
international supply chains. “In 2019, we conducted a successful pilot
project for purchasing front lights. This year, we want to expand the
project to a large number of other suppliers,” said Andreas Wendt,
member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Purchasing
and Supplier Network.

The automotive industry’s international supply chains are highly
complex. They generally involve numerous players at different delivery
stages and often undergo rapid changes. For this reason, considerable
effort can be needed to clearly track a component’s origin or supply
route, for instance. Up until now, it has been customary for the many
partners to manage their own data separately. The companies’
respective IT systems have not always been able to communicate
consistently with one another. For the BMW Group’s purchasing experts
and its suppliers, ensuring transparency therefore involved
considerable manual effort. The BMW Group initiated the PartChain
project to ensure seamless traceability of components – more or less
“at the push of a button” – and provide immediate data transparency in
complex supply chains for all partners involved going forward.

“PartChain enables tamper-proof and consistently verifiable
collection and transaction of data in our supply chain,” said Wendt.
2019 the pilot project focused solely on part tracking. In the long
term, the BMW Group also expects the project to enable complete
traceability of critical raw materials – all the way from mine to
smelter. Wendt: “This move is designed to take the digitalisation of
purchasing at the BMW Group to the next level. Our vision is to create
an open platform that will allow data within supply chains to be
exchanged and shared safely and anonymised across the industry.”

PartChain uses Cloud technologies (e. g. Amazon Web Services,
Microsoft Azure) in addition to Blockchain solutions. This allows the
origin of components to be tracked between all participating partners
without any risk of manipulation. The 2019 pilot project already
involved two of the BMW Group’s total 31 plants (Spartanburg/US and
Dingolfing), as well as three locations of the supplier Automotive
Lighting. This year, the platform will be rolled out to about ten suppliers.

BMW Group co-founded Mobility Open Blockchain Initiative
(MOBI) in 2018

An industry-wide solution would enable all partners participating to
link their business processes more closely and coordinate between
companies. However, common standards and control models are needed to
leverage the full potential of an open platform. The BMW Group
therefore co-founded the Mobility Open Blockchain Initiative (MOBI) in
2018, a cross-industry initiative comprising 120 leading automotive,
mobility and technology companies. Within MOBI, the company heads a
working group on supply chain issues. The MOBI members’ shared
objective is to help Blockchain technology break through in the
mobility sector. “We want to share our PartChain approach with the
initiative and invite interested companies to join the initiative,”
explained Wendt.

Further information on the MOBI initiative can be found at www.dlt.mobi.

 

If you have any questions, please contact:

Corporate Communications

Saskia Eßbauer, Corporate Communications

Saskia.Essbauer@bmw.de, Telephone: +49 89 382 18364

Mathias Schmidt, head of Corporate and Culture Communications

Mathias.M.Schmidt@bmwgroup.com, Telephone: +49 89 382 24544

Media website: www.press.bmwgroup.com

Email: presse@bmwgroup.com

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 133,778 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.

www.bmwgroup.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BMWGroup

Twitter: http://twitter.com/BMWGroup

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/BMWGroupView

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bmwgroup/

Original Press Release

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The Efficient Dynamics success story: BMW writes the next chapter.

BMW:The Efficient Dynamics success story: BMW writes the next chapter.

Munich. With the introduction of its Efficient
Dynamics technology package back in 2007, the BMW Group created a
concept that remains unrivalled in the automotive industry to this
day. It centered on consistently reducing fuel consumption – and
thereby CO2 emissions – on the one hand, while steadily
increasing driving pleasure on the other. As a result, BMW Efficient
Dynamics is now a fundamental link in the DNA of all BMW models and
one of the key reasons why the BMW Group will be able to meet the
European Union’s CO2 targets in full.

Technical measures covering every area of the vehicle.

The BMW Efficient Dynamics approach systematically
optimises every aspect of the vehicle. On the aerodynamics side,
active air flap control is now in its third generation, while the new
BMW iX3 – due to be launched by the end of 2020 – will be fitted with
the latest generation of BMW aerodynamic wheels. The technology behind
the new wheels has been further refined, resulting in a five per cent
reduction in drag coefficient compared to conventional BMW X3 wheels
plus a 15 per cent weight saving over the previous BMW aerodynamic
wheel type. Such significant steps forward have been achieved thanks
to heavy investment in the necessary aerodynamics R&D
infrastructure over recent years. The most aerodynamically efficient
current model overall, the new BMW 3 Series Sedan, has a Cd of just
0.23, earning it the title of “best in segment”.

Intelligent lightweight design has also led to some major
efficiency-boosting advances. This has made it possible to reduce the
weight of models from one generation to the next, despite increases in
size and safety enhancements. Optimizing structures and employing the
ideal materials in every area of a vehicle are key to attaining the
goals that have been set.
The wide range of powertrain systems
on offer also plays a fundamental role in the BMW Efficient Dynamics
concept. From highly efficient combustion engines with 48V electrical
systems to plug-in hybrids and all-electric vehicles – all are
underpinned by the basic principle of Efficient Dynamics: minimize the
input while maximizing the output, all with the focus placed firmly on
the customer. The advent of 48V mild hybrid technology greatly expands
the possible uses of Brake Energy Regeneration. This technology made
its debut in the four variants of the BMW 520d in autumn 2019 and will
be extended to the BMW 3 Series, BMW X3 and BMW X4 ranges in spring 2020.

The BMW i Hydrogen NEXT – unveiled to the public at the 2019
Frankfurt Motor Show as a technology demonstrator – represents a
potential fourth pillar in the company’s powertrain portfolio. The BMW
Group has been working with the Toyota Motor Corporation on fuel cell
technology since 2013. The underlying conditions for supplying “green”
hydrogen are not yet in place, however, meaning it will still be some
time before the BMW Group brings out a production vehicle with this
technology on board.

Systematic rollout provides clear benefits.
As a
result of this package of technological measures, fleet consumption
and CO2 emissions have been cut by more than 40 per cent
over the last 13 years. What is more, the BMW Group will comply in
full with the European Union’s CO2 targets, thanks in part
to the rigorous deployment of BMW Efficient Dynamics innovations as
standard across all model series.

CO2 emissions in 2020 will be 20 per cent lower again that
the figure for 2019 thanks to BMW Efficient Dynamics and the ongoing
electrification of the model range. This means that BMW customers can
always reap the rewards of unbeatable driving pleasure, without
compromising on sustainable mobility.

BMW Efficient Dynamics shows the way
ahead.
These achievements have encouraged the BMW Group
to continue along its current path – and keep offering its customers
technically innovative products with high levels of sustainability at
the right time and in the right market. BMW Efficient Dynamics
provides the ideal platform for BMW to deliver on its brand promise of
Sheer Driving Pleasure with a line-up of exceptionally efficient vehicles.

Original Press Release

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Stay at home during the enforced break: Full alternative programme for Tom Sykes and Eugene Laverty.

BMW:Stay at home during the enforced break: Full alternative programme for Tom Sykes and Eugene Laverty.

Munich. The world-wide corona crisis also affects motorcycle
racing. The wheels have come to a standstill. There is no telling
yet when it will be possible to hold races again. During the wait,
the two BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team riders, Tom Sykes (GBR) and
Eugene Laverty (IRL), are following the guidance to ‘Stay at Home’.
Despite that, they are both keeping busy – although in different
ways. While Sykes, as a father, has now more time to spend with his
daughters, Laverty is pursuing long-held interests, such as music
and languages.

 

Stay at Home – they both did, even before it was made obligatory by
governments. “It’s a strange time and while the situation is
relatively under control in my estimate here in Portugal, my wife
Pippa and I have opted to keep ourselves in lockdown out of the
principle ‘Stay at Home’,” says Laverty, who lives near the Portimão
race track in Portugal. Sykes adds: “It’s a difficult time for
everybody world-wide in this present time. Everybody is doing their
part, trying to get this virus under control. It is best to stay at
home at the moment and hope that this passes sooner rather than later.”

Usually, WorldSBK riders are on the road a lot. So for family man
Sykes, the break brings with it the positive that he can now spend
much more time with his two daughters. They are with him at his home
in Leamington Spa, England. The three of them are staying in touch
with the rest of their close family by phone. According to Sykes, in
general not a lot has changed for him at the moment. “I’m very
fortunate, as since I was young one of my goals was working towards
getting myself set up in a nice home. I certainly thank my lucky stars
at this time more than ever.” His home has large grounds, allowing the
trio to spend plenty of time outside, whilst still staying at home.

“We’ve got a few things set up outside along with a very large
trampoline in the garden, which we are using a lot,” says Sykes. “We
have been lucky to have great weather here. It has almost been like
early summer so we have been playing a lot outside. My two girls love
to dance, so I turned on the outside music and set up a little wooden
stage for the girls to dance on. It was great value entertainment for
me too.” And when it cools down outside, the play continues inside.
“We paint, do crafts, watch movies and indulge in a number of treats.
We are able to still be quite normal, with the exception of not going
to school at present.” With this in mind, Sykes has taken on a new
role of being a teacher for his children and helps with the homework
from school for this extended period.

As well as the garden and the living room, Sykes also spends a lot of
time in the kitchen. “I have always been the one to do the
cooking anyway, but the chef side in me has come out in force now,” he
grins. “I always think of good meal plans in my head for me and my
girls because we always eat fresh food but obviously now that luxury
is not as simple so my freezer is full as we have come up with a
different approach to make the ingredients go further.” Sykes is also
in action as a craftsman, carrying out some DIY work around his house.

Guitar, language and first aid courses.

Meanwhile, Laverty is also far from bored in Portugal. One of the
first things he did at home was to take on some 1000-piece jigsaws.
The first one is already complete, with more to follow. He has also
signed up for an online guitar course. “So come the summer we may have
to schedule some gigs around World Superbike race weekends. Entry will
be free and complimentary ear plugs provided,” he says with a chuckle.
Laverty has been learning Portuguese for a long time, but has now
upped his daily lessons. “Music and language are two things that I
wish I’d done more of as a kid, and now I’m making up for it. They’re
great for the mind, too,“ he says.

Together with his wife Pippa, Laverty is taking part in an online
first aid course. They are learning what to do, for example, in case
of a respiratory arrest, heart attack or haemorrhages, such as
cardiopulmonary massage and the recovery position. “They are important
basic lessons that can save lives,” Laverty stresses.

Laverty is also very active on his social media channels and is
coming up with things for his fans. These include his podcast, which
he now records from home. And – thanks to the wonders of digital
networking via social media – he also takes on various different
challenges with other racers from the world of two and four-wheel
motorsport, from jigsaws to fitness challenges.

Speaking of fitness, fitness training obviously still takes up plenty
of time for the two riders from the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team. As
professional racers, they are preparing for the moment when everything
resumes. For Sykes, the current situation has changed nothing in this
regard. “I’ve been training from home since 2011,” he explains. “I
always planned to be based at home for a number of reasons but mainly
to be more productive with my time so I am lucky to have a
fully-functioning gym at home. That means I am very well set-up and
don’t have to worry about the training aspect. The only thing I am not
doing at this moment is to go cycling outside.”

Laverty has also had to put his big hobby, cycling, on hold. “We are
still permitted to, but the reality is that there are 100,000s of
cycling accidents per year and now is not the time to add stress to
our healthcare workers.” And so his bike sits on a stationary trainer
in his fitness room at home. While he spends hours clocking up the
kilometres at home, he watches old racing documentaries and season
reviews. In addition, Laverty uses a power station framework for his
strength and conditioning. “I am missing riding motorbikes,” Laverty
says. “But absence makes the heart grow fonder, so I will be more than
ready to return to action!”

Note to editors:

We are aware of the difficult situation at present. Despite this,
however, we have decided to provide you with regular media information
for the near future, in the form of background stories regarding BMW
Motorrad Motorsport.

Original Press Release

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Electromobility market shares in comparison of brands (3/2020 Info-graphics)

BMW:Electromobility market shares in comparison of brands (3/2020 Info-graphics)

Do you need help? Please contact our support team from 9 to 17 CET via support.pressclub@bmwgroup.com.

PressClub Global · Article.

Mon Mar 30 08:00:00 CEST 2020 Press Release

BMW Group market position within competition. Electromobility in Germany, Europe, Globally. Source: IHS Markit New Registrations 3/2019-2/2020 (3/2020 report)

My.PressClub Login

BMW Group Streaming.

ANNUAL ACCOUNTS PRESS CONFERENCE

Munich, 18 March 2020. 
Here you can see the webcast of the BMW Group Annual Accounts Press Conference 2020.

Open Streaming Page

CO2 emission information.

The following applies to consumption figures for vehicles with new type approval, September 2017 onward: The figures for fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and energy consumption are obtained in accordance with the specified measuring procedure (EC Regulation No. 715/2007), as issued and amended. The figures are for a basic-version vehicle in Germany. The bandwidths allow for differences in the choice of wheel and tire sizes and items of optional equipment and can be changed by the configuration.

Obtained on the basis of the new “Worldwide harmonized Light vehicles Test Procedure” (WLTP), the figures are converted back to the “New European Driving Cycle” (NEDC) for the sake of comparability. Values other than those stated here may be used for the purposes of taxation and for other vehicle-related duties relating to CO2 emissions.

More information about official fuel consumption figures and the official specific CO2 emissions of new passenger cars can be obtained from the “guideline on fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and current consumption of new passenger cars”, available here: https://www.dat.de/co2/.

Original Press Release

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The powertrain for the BMW i Hydrogen NEXT: BMW Group reaffirms its ongoing commitment to hydrogen fuel cell technology.

BMW:The powertrain for the BMW i Hydrogen NEXT: BMW Group reaffirms its ongoing commitment to hydrogen fuel cell technology.

Munich. Developing alternative powertrain
technologies is a top priority for the BMW Group. The premium carmaker
offers first
virtual insights into the powertrain system for the BMW i Hydrogen
NEXT and reaffirms its commitment to following a carefully
considered and systematic route to emission-free mobility. This
approach also includes the careful consideration of differing market
and customer requirements as part of the company’s Power of Choice
strategy. Customer centricity and the flexibility needed for this are
essential in facilitating the breakthrough for sustainable mobility on
the global stage.

Klaus Fröhlich, Member of the Board of Management of
BMW AG, Research and Development (click here to
watch the video statement): “We are convinced that various alternative
powertrain systems will exist alongside one another in future, as
there is no single solution that addresses the full spectrum of
customers’ mobility requirements worldwide. The hydrogen fuel
cell technology could quite feasibly become the
fourth pillar of our powertrain portfolio
in the long term. The upper-end models in our
extremely popular X family would make particularly suitable candidates
here.” The BMW Group has been working with the Toyota Motor
Corporation on fuel cell technology since 2013.

Future prospects for hydrogen fuel cell
technology.
Although the BMW Group has no doubt as to
the long-term potential of fuel cell powertrain systems, it
will be
some time before the company offers its customers a
production car
powered by hydrogen fuel cell technology. This is
primarily due to the fact that the right framework conditions are not
yet in place. “In our view, hydrogen as energy
carrier must first be produced in sufficient quantities at a
competitive price using green electricity. Hydrogen will
then be used primarily in applications that cannot be directly
electrified, such as long-distance heavy duty transport,” said Klaus
Fröhlich. The requisite infrastructure, such as an
extensive, Europe-wide network of hydrogen filling stations, is also
lacking at present. However, the BMW Group is
pressing ahead with its development work in the field of hydrogen fuel
cell technology. The company is using the time until the
infrastructure and sustainably produced hydrogen supply are in place
to substantially reduce the cost of manufacturing the powertrain
system. The BMW Group is already bringing battery electric vehicles to
market with sustainable energy and will soon be offering its customers
a wide range of electrified vehicles. A total of 25 models are slated
for launch by 2023, including at least twelve with an all-electric powertrain.

Initial technical details of the powertrain for the BMW i
Hydrogen NEXT.
“The fuel cell system
for the powertrain for the BMW i Hydrogen NEXT generates up to
125 kW (170 hp) of electric energy from the
chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen from the ambient air,”
explains Jürgen Guldner, Vice President of Hydrogen Fuel Cell
Technology and Vehicle Projects at the BMW Group. This means the
vehicle emits nothing but water vapour. The electric converter located
underneath the fuel cell adapts the voltage level to that of both the
electric powertrain and the peak power battery, which is fed by brake
energy as well as the energy from the fuel cell. The vehicle also
accommodates a pair of 700 bar tanks that can
together hold six kilograms of hydrogen. “This
guarantees a long range regardless of the weather conditions,” notes
Guldner. “And refuelling only takes three to four
minutes.” The fifth-generation eDrive unit
set to make its debut in the BMW iX3 is also fully integrated into the
BMW i Hydrogen NEXT. The peak power battery
positioned above the electric motor injects an extra dose of
dynamics when overtaking or accelerating. The total
system output of 275 kW (374 hp) fuels the typical driving
dynamics for which BMW is renowned. This hydrogen fuel cell electric
powertrain will be piloted in a small series based on the
current BMW X5 that the BMW Group plans to present
in 2022. A customer offer
powered by hydrogen fuel cell technology will be
brought to market at the earliest in the second half of this
decade by the BMW Group, depending on the global market
conditions and requirements.

Collaboration with Toyota continues.
To ensure
it is ideally prepared to meet the technological demands of a
hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicle by the second half of this decade,
the BMW Group is teaming up with the Toyota Motor Corporation as part
of a successful partnership that dates back to 2013. The two
manufacturers have joined forces to work on fuel cell powertrain
systems and scalable, modular components for hydrogen fuel cell
vehicles under a product development cooperation agreement. Fuel cells
from the cooperation with Toyota will be deployed in the BMW i
Hydrogen NEXT, alongside a fuel cell stack and overall system
developed by the BMW Group. As well as partnering on the development
and industrialisation of fuel cell technology for the mass market, the
two companies are also founding members of the Hydrogen Council. A
wealth of other leading companies in the energy, transport and
industrial sectors have joined the Hydrogen Council since 2017,
swelling its ranks to over 80 members.

BMW Group is involved in the BRYSON research project.

The BMW Group’s participation in the research project
BRYSON (a German acronym for ‘space-efficient hydrogen storage tanks
with optimised usability’) underlines its faith in the future
viability and potential of hydrogen fuel cell technology. This
alliance between BMW AG, Munich University of Applied Sciences,
Leichtbauzentrum Sachsen GmbH, the Technical University of Dresden and
WELA Handelsgesellschaft mbH seeks to develop pioneering high-pressure
hydrogen storage tanks. These are to be designed to allow easy
integration into future universal vehicle architectures. The project
aims to develop tanks with a flat design. Set to run for a period of
three-and-a-half years and with funding from the Federal Ministry for
Economic Affairs and Energy, this project will also help to lower the
cost of manufacturing hydrogen tanks for fuel cell vehicles, enabling
them to compete effectively with battery electric vehicles.

Original Press Release

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Update on BMW Motorrad Days 2020 – Cancellation of this year’s event.

BMW:

Update on BMW Motorrad Days 2020 – Cancellation of this year’s event.

Munich. In light of current events and growing
measures to contain the corona virus, not to mention our duty of care
towards our guests and staff, it is with a heavy heart that the
Organization Team of the BMW Motorrad Days has decided to cancel this
year’s event.

The BMW Motorrad Days represent one of the largest and most
international customer events of the BMW Group with a regular
attendance of over 40.000 visitors from all over the world. Our aim is
to always meet this aspiration. However, the current circumstances no
longer allow this event to be planned as the necessary lead times
involved are very long. This means that the BMW Motorrad Days cannot
be carried out.

Our early cancellation will moreover make planning easier for
our many overseas visitors, knowing they have longer lead times for
logistics and travel arrangements.

You will find press material on BMW motorcycles and BMW Motorrad
rider equipment in the BMW Group PressClub at www.press.bmwgroup.com.

In case of queries, please contact:

Tim Diehl-Thiele, Head of Communications BMW
Motorrad
Telephone: +49 -89 -382 -57505, tim.diehl-thiele@bmw.de

Ingo Wirth, Head of Product and Lifestyle Communications MINI,
BMW Motorrad
Telephone: +49 89 382-25814, e-mail: Ingo.Wirth@bmw.de

Internet: www.press.bmw.de
E-mail: presse@bmw.de

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 133,778 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.

www.bmwgroup.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BMWGroup

Twitter: http://twitter.com/BMWGroup

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/BMWGroupView

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bmwgroup/

Original Press Release

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Racing simulator instead of DTM: BMW works driver Philipp Eng explains the sim racing phenomenon.

BMW:Racing simulator instead of DTM: BMW works driver Philipp Eng explains the sim racing phenomenon.

Munich. BMW works driver Philipp Eng (AUT) is a talented
all-rounder behind a steering wheel. He has won Formula races, as
well as in a host of different BMW race cars, including the BMW M4
DTM, BMW M8 GTE and BMW M6 GT3. Eng has also been a sim racing
expert for many years. In today’s difficult situation, virtual races
are the only opportunity for racing drivers to practice their craft.
Eng explains the sim racing phenomenon and its future role as a
motorsport in its own right.

 

While actual race weekends are unthinkable at the moment, the sim
racing calendar is growing all the time. Last weekend, four major
races were held. Eng was in action in two of them. On Saturday, he
made it through to the final against a top-class field in ‘THE RACE
All-Stars Esports Battle’. One day later, he finished third in the ‘F1
Esports Virtual Bahrain Grand Prix’, the first sim race officially
staged by Formula 1.

“I am glad I have my race simulator at home at the moment. In these
times, when everyone has to avoid moving about in public as much as
possible, it is basically my ‘substitute racing drug’,” said Eng. “The
virtual races help me to stay in race mode, particularly mentally.
Although the simulator doesn’t feel exactly the same as reality, my
instincts are the same as on an actual racetrack. It allows me to keep
them sharp. For me, sim racing is more than just fun, it also really
helps me to improve as a professional racing driver.”

Sim racing forms an additional pillar in the BMW Motorsport programme.

BMW Motorsport identified the benefits of sim racing and its
increasingly important role at an early stage, since when it has
become an additional pillar in its motorsport programme. The focus is
on two platforms. BMW works drivers and some of the world’s best sim
racers regularly compete on the iRacing platform – primarily in the
virtual BMW M8 GTE. Bruno Spengler (CAN), Nick Catsburg (NED) and
Jesse Krohn (FIN) claimed a one-two-three in that car in last
Saturday’s ‘IMSA Super Sebring Saturday’. The Digital Nürburgring
Endurance Series has recently also started to hold its races on the
iRacing platform. There, BMW works drivers and the BMW Juniors take to
the Nordschleife in the BMW Z4 GT3. The second platform is rFactor 2
which is home to the BMW SIM M2 CS Racing Cup, in which the new BMW
Junior Team regularly competes.

“In my opinion, BMW Motorsport’s intensive involvement is currently
giving sim racing another huge boost,” says Eng. “When a major
manufacturer like BMW gets involved to such a degree, the general
public picks up on it and the perception of sim racing changes in a
positive way.” As far as Eng is concerned, sim racing has already
earned the right to be regarded as a motorsport in its own right,
particularly in the future. “I see it this way: as a motorsport fan,
watch the DTM race at the Nürburgring in the afternoon and then why
not watch the livestream of the sim race in Sebring in the evening,”
he said.

Eng: First simulator stuck in place with tape.

Eng was just a teenager when he first ventured into the world of
virtual racing. “I was 17, I think, and my simulator was such that I
had to shift my exercise books to one side, clamp my steering wheel on
my desk, and fasten the pedals to the floor using tape,” said Eng,
describing his early set-up. “The way sim racing has developed since
then, and particularly in recent months, is very impressive.” Today,
Eng no longer has to use tape for his pedals. His equipment is of the
highest standard – as is his driving in the simulator.

Despite that, professional racing drivers still cannot quite compete
with the best sim racers in the world. Eng has an explanation: “That
is mainly because of the incredible amount of time that these guys
have spent on simulators over the years. I like to compare it with
fitness training. If I train regularly and do, let’s say, 350
kilometres per week on my bike, then I will be pretty fit. If,
however, I have two weeks off because I am away somewhere racing, then
my fitness level drops again. That is exactly the difference between
me, who is not regularly in the simulator during a normal season, and
a professional sim racer – who is also very talented.”

Eng does not necessarily believe that a top sim racer would
automatically make a good racing driver in the real world. “I am sure
that the best have the necessary technical know-how and driving
potential. However, in a real race car, they must first learn to deal
with the fact that they could get hurt if they make a mistake. I
notice that with myself. I always take more risks in the simulator
than I do in a real race car.”

BMW Motorsport simulator: “Barely different to reality”.

Unlike driving a real race car, a simulator offers the opportunity to
do a lot of testing and gain experience without any risks, in a
controlled environment, and without it costing too much. For that
reason, simulations also play a huge role in all BMW Motorsport’s
actual racing projects. The BMW Motorsport simulator in Munich (GER)
is used intensively for vehicle development and race preparations. For
example, the BMW i Andretti Motorsport Team spends several days in the
simulator preparing for each Formula E race weekend. The DTM drivers
also regularly use the BMW Motorsport simulator.

“The simulator I have at home is pretty good, for something that
ordinary citizens can buy. However, it is miles away from what the BMW
Motorsport simulator can do,” says Eng. “As the BMW Motorsport
simulator moves on a flexible platform, you, the driver, feel every
kerb and bump, just as you would do in reality. For me, the way the
car handles is barely different to reality.”

Video: Philipp Eng shows and explains his racing
simulator: https://youtu.be/iIuVNtAX0d8.

Note to editors:

We are aware of the current difficult situation. Despite this,
however, we have decided to provide you with regular media information
in the coming weeks and months. We will report on our BMW works
drivers on the sim racing scene and we will also provide you with
interviews and background stories, particularly dealing with
technology topics within BMW Group Motorsport.

Original Press Release

Posted on

„The Art of Leadership“ – BMW and CNN put the spotlight on exceptional role models.

BMW:„The Art of Leadership“ – BMW and CNN put the spotlight on exceptional role models.

Munich/Paris.  In times of uncertainty, inspiring
people play an even more important role in sustaining society. The BMW
Group and CNN International Commercial (CNNIC) have teamed up to
portray the stories and attitude of some of the most remarkable
creatives, artists and leaders of our time through two unique series
comprising a total of eleven short films exploring “The Art of
Leadership”. By focusing on the personal stories that drove
exceptional individuals in their field to inspire modern society, each
film in the series will embody core leadership values of BMW:
responsibility, inner strength and independence. Values also inherent
to BMW´s luxury car suite – BMW’s X7, 7, 8 und M8 Series.  

On Thursday, CNN kicked off a six-part branded content series by
launching the first brand
film produced by CNNIC’s award-winning in-house studio Create. This
first film portrays one of the most successful DJ duos and electronic
music producers in the world, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike. Set
against the backdrop of one of their concerts in Norway, the Belgian
brothers recall how they became leaders in their field, reflecting on
their passion and the relationship with their audience. This and the
other upcoming brand films produced by Create are shot and
edited for global distribution on a mix of CNN International’s
platforms across TV, digital, and social, Great Big Story and will
also be featured on BMW’s
central brand website.  

Later this year Great
Big Story, CNN’s global media company devoted to
cinematic storytelling, will launch a sponsored editorial series
comprising five micro-documentaries that put the spotlight on
inspiring women and men who created their social impact on leading by example. 

The first film scheduled for May, will introduce the fascinating
double life of Brandon Tory. Talented in tech while being a gifted
emcee, Brandon successfully navigates both worlds – working as a
senior AI engineer at Google by day and a successful hip-hop artist at
night. Each film will run across Great Big Story’s platforms and
social accounts, while distribution will be enhanced using
WarnerMedia’s Launchpad technology to reach defined audiences across
social media. 

“BMW has a long and diverse history of projects that provide
platforms and stages for creative minds and bold new voices – be it in
design, art, sports or engineering. We see it as one of our missions –
and have always done so, to enable and nurture transformation. These
stories are the result of a perfect match between two entities which
share the same values and goals. We are absolutely delighted that CNN
and BMW work together to create these unique pieces about exceptional
people, who are rethinking and redefining leadership. As we are always
striving for excellence, we strongly believe this partnership is a
milestone for both of us.” said Jens Thiemer, Senior Vice
President Customer and Brand BMW.

“All the best partnerships are based on common values, and I am
delighted that this is the case with this exciting new project with
BMW,” said Cathy Ibal, Senior Vice President, EMEA, CNN
International Commercial. “As leaders in our respective
fields, we honor and value those talents and characters that are
portrayed in the films as they change our society for the better.
Powerful, emotional storytelling from Create and Great
Big Story will have a prominent stage as we distribute these
films in smart ways across all platforms to reach a truly global
audience that values leadership and the stories behind it.” 

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/greatbigstory/videos/531948957462067/

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/greatbigstory/status/1243326871686635520

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-N1dabhs01/

Original Press Release

Posted on

“Super Sim Saturday”: MOTUL BMW M8 GTE wins in Sebring – Seven BMW Z4 GT3s in season-opener on the Nordschleife.

BMW:“Super Sim Saturday”: MOTUL BMW M8 GTE wins in Sebring – Seven BMW Z4 GT3s in season-opener on the Nordschleife.

Munich. “Super Sim Saturday”, which featured three major sim
racing events, was a successful one for BMW works drivers. In the
“IMSA Sebring SuperSaturday” race, Bruno Spengler (CAN), Nick
Catsburg (NED) and Jesse Krohn (FIN) claimed a one-two-three in the
virtual MOTUL BMW M8 GTE. In the second staging of “THE RACE
All-Stars Esports Battle”, Philipp Eng (AUT) and Maximilian Günther
(GER) produced impressive performances to progress to the “Grand
Final”. Meanwhile, Martin Tomczyk, Jens Klingmann (both GER), Dan
Harper (GBR) and Neil Verhagen (USA) lined up in the BMW Z4 GT3,
sporting a special “#STAYHOME” livery at the digital season-opener
in the Nürburgring Endurance Series.

 

“IMSA Sebring SuperSaturday”: One-two-three for the BMW M8 GTE.

After the MOTUL BMW M8 GTE took victory on the real racetrack at the
24 Hours of Daytona (USA) in January, it was the turn of the virtual
version of the car to taste success at “Sebring International
Raceway”. Bruno Spengler won the 90-minute race on the iRacing sim
racing platform, and was followed home by fellow BMW works drivers
Nick Catsburg and Jesse Krohn. The three cars bore the hashtag
#STAYHOME. In total, the grid included 20 BMW M8 GTE although BMW Team
RLL driver Colton Herta (USA) was unable to start due to a technical
issue. Pole position went to BMW M Customer Racing driver, Robby Foley
(USA), whose BMW M8 GTE bore the Turner Motorsport livery. He failed
to finish the race.

 

“THE RACE All-Stars Esports Battle”: Both BMW works drivers in
the final.

BMW works drivers Philipp Eng and Maximilian Günther both impressed
at the second staging of “THE RACE All-Stars Esports Battle”, which
was this time held on the virtual Grand Prix circuit at Indianapolis
(USA). They finished third and fifth in one of the two qualifying
races for professional racing drivers. This was good enough to see
them qualify directly for the “Grand Final”, which featured the best
professional drivers and sim racers. Günther came home 10th
in the final. Eng was also on course for a top-10 finish for much of
the race, but dropped back to 13th after receiving a penalty.

 

NLS: Seven BMW Z4 GT3 at virtual season-opener.

Race one of “Super Sim Saturday” was also the virtual opening round
of the Nürburgring Endurance Series. The four-hour race on the
Nordschleife featured a field of more than 50 cars, including seven
BMW Z4 GT3s. Among those in action were BMW works drivers Martin
Tomczyk and Jens Klingmann (both GER), as well as BMW Junior Team
members Dan Harper (GBR) and Neil Verhagen (USA). They were all making
their debut in a GT3 car in a major sim race, and performed well
against a strong line-up of sim racers. Tomczyk and Klingmann finished
12th, while Harper and Verhagen came home 17th.
The two BMW Z4 GT3s were sporting a special design, featuring the
hashtag #STAYHOME.

Reactions to “Super Sim Saturday”:

Bruno Spengler (BMW Team Red, #25 MOTUL BMW M8 GTE,
1st place): “I actually had goosebumps as I
crossed the finish line. I am delighted with the victory, as that was
a really tough race. Nicky was very quick and put me under pressure
the whole time. Generally speaking, I must say that sim racing is
really demanding. I have the utmost respect for the sim pros. Thank
you very much to the IMSA for organising such a great event in such
difficult times.”

Nick Catsburg (BMW Team Red, #26 MOTUL BMW M8 GTE,
2nd place): “The race was really very intense. I
felt just like I would in a real IMSA race. I was possibly even a
little more nervous before qualifying. Despite this, I really enjoyed
it. Unfortunately, I made a small mistake which allowed Bruno to
overtake me. However, he was extremely quick and fully deserved to win.”

Jesse Krohn (BMW Team Black, #24 MOTUL BMW M8 GTE,
3rd place): “I am pleased with the strong
displays of the BMW drivers, and for the fans: at least we were able
to put on a good virtual show for them in Sebring. Thank you to
iRacing and IMSA for this event.”

Maximilian Günther, 10th place: “That was
a very good evening for me. I am very happy with my performance and
the results in such a top-class field. I am still very much a beginner
when it comes to sim racing. However, the races have made me hungry
for more. In these times, they provide the perfect opportunity to stay
in race mode.”

Philipp Eng, 13th place: “The race was
great fun. I had good pace in the final, but unfortunately dropped out
of the top ten as a result of a penalty. The distraction that comes
with being able to race from home is extremely valuable.”

Jens Klingmann (#112 BMW Z4 GT3, 12th place):
“I am very happy with my sim racing debut. Pretty much
everything was new to me, and the standard is extremely high in sim
racing. Given all that, I think 12th place is a good
result. Martin Tomczyk was a great team-mate, with whom I will be
happy to drive alongside more often from now on. Sim racing is really
the best possible alternative for us racing drivers in the present
situation – and for the fans, who I would like to thank for the
interest they have shown in our virtual race.”

Martin Tomczyk (#112 BMW Z4 GT3, 12th place):
“It is fantastic to go racing again! Even though it was a
virtual event, it really set my racing driver pulse racing. The
standard of the competition is incredibly high, and the racing is
astonishingly close to the real thing. Bearing in mind that this was
our first race together, it worked out well with Jens Klingmann and
me. We had a few minor teething problems – including with the amount
of fuel, which ultimately cost us a top-ten result. All in all,
however, it was great fun.”

Neil Verhagen (#113 BMW Z4 GT3, 17th place):
“That was a really exciting experience with an extremely
steep learning curve. Unfortunately, the odd mistake here or there
kept costing us time, which was eventually shown in the result.
However, Dan and I gained a lot of experience, which will help us in
the next sim race and, hopefully, in the first real race on the Nordschleife.”

Dan Harper (#113 BMW Z4 GT3, 17th place):
“That was hard work, but also great fun. We had a few minor
incidents on the track and also lost ground quite a lot of ground in
the pit lane as a result of time penalties. However, our raw pace was
pretty good. I think we could aim for a top-10 result, if we were able
to start the race again and avoid some of our driving errors. As such,
I am already really looking forward to the next race. I think, with
the experience we gained, we will do much better.”

Original Press Release

Posted on

Daring to be open-minded! BMW Group promotes diversity in a multicultural society.

BMW:Daring to be open-minded! BMW Group promotes diversity in a multicultural society.

Munich, 21 March 2020 – Employees from more than 120
countries worldwide work together successfully at the BMW Group:
people from different cultures, with different world views and
religious beliefs. They work for the BMW Group in teams around the
globe, developing creative ideas and innovative solutions for
sustainable future mobility.

Diversity is the foundation of the BMW Group’s success.

For the BMW Group, knowledge of different languages and cultures not
only reflects our global working environment, but is also crucial in
the competition for new markets, customers and qualified young talent.
“Diversity is the foundation of our success. A working
environment free of prejudice, combined with respectful coexistence,
are important requirements for this,” said Ilka Horstmeier,
member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Human Resources.

The BMW Group is also committed to tolerance, openness and diversity
outside its own ranks. In 2011, the company launched a unique
partnership with the United Nations Alliance of Civilisations (UNAOC)
to promote international dialogue and intercultural understanding. The
partnership recognises innovative projects with our Intercultural
Innovation Award. The aim is to enable local initiatives to scale up
to international platforms so they can contribute to greater
prosperity and tolerance in society. The initiatives recognised by the
BMW Group and UNAOC have already supported 3.6 million people in 112
countries worldwide.

Ilka Horstmeier: “Together with UNAOC, we want to draw attention to
cross-cultural projects around the world and enrich society with
innovative ideas. In addition to financial support, we also offer
award-winners the chance to leverage the BMW Group’s core expertise to
successfully develop their projects.”

To advance the topic of diversity in German corporate culture, the
BMW Group joined the Diversity Charter
& Association back in 2012. The Charter, under the patronage
of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, has so far been signed by more
than 3,400 companies and public institutions. The BMW Group is also
actively driving the issue in other countries – for example, in the
UK, where the company is a member of ENEI, the UK’s leading employer network.

A video outlining the BMW Group’s position has been released to
coincide with the International Day for the Elimination of Racial
Discrimination and can be found on the following BMW Group social
media channels:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bmwgroup/

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/bmwgroup

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BMWGroup

If you have any questions, please contact:

Corporate Communications

Milena Pighi,
BMW Group Corporate and Governmental
Affairs,
spokesperson CSR
Telephone: +49-89-382-66563

Email: Milena.PA.Pighi@bmw.de

Martina Hatzel, BMW Group Corporate and Culture Communications,
spokesperson Human Resources
Telephone: +49-89-382-11966

Email: Martina.Hatzel@bmw.de

The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW
Motorrad, the BMW Group is the leading 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 140countries.

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 133,778 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.

Original Press Release