Today the BMW Group celebrated the opening of its first Driving Centre in Asia, located in Incheon, Korea. The investment totals 75.5 million US Dollars up to 2020 (around RM240 million), and around 100 new jobs have already been created.
The BMW Group has driving experience centres in both Germany and the US, however the Driving Centre in Korea is the first one worldwide to combine both a driving track and a dedicated brand experience. It will open its doors to the public on 1 August, 2014.
At the opening ceremony, Dr. Ian Robertson, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Sales and Marketing BMW, said: “The Driving Centre is the next step in our commitment to Korea and to Asia. Korea is one of our fastest growing markets and now our ninth largest single market worldwide. We see more potential here and wish to grow even further. I am very happy that customers here now have more opportunity to fully experience our BMW and MINI brands.”
Concepts such as the Driving Centre are part of the BMW Group’s comprehensive “Future Retail” strategy, an approach that marks a significant shift in the way that the company interacts with its customers. This program includes new, innovative and inspiring ways for customers to experience products and brands, such as city center Brand Stores and City Sales Outlets.
The Driving Centre accommodates a 2.6 kilometre closed circuit track where drivers can experience a variety of situations, such as high speed driving, emergency and off-road techniques, using BMW and MINI vehicles. The center offers dedicated exhibits around BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad vehicles, a new Junior Campus with specially tailored science education programs on mobility and road safety for children, as well as a 12,000 m2 eco-friendly sports park. In total, the Driving Center covers 240,000 m2, the equivalent of 33 soccer fields.
The facilities will also serve as a new training centre for sales, customer service and product training. Furthermore, a Service Centre operated by Bavarian Motors, an authorized BMW and MINI dealer, offers customers a service point for minor problems. In addition, BMW and MINI owners can take advantage of the newly established “Airport Service”, where they can leave their cars for maintenance and other care programs during their travels.
