Automotive News – January 2023

BMW Group Malaysia is Number One for its Third Consecutive Year with New All-Time High Business Performance

With more than 14,400 BMW, MINI, and BMW Motorrad vehicles delivered in 2022, over 70% of which were locally produced, BMW Group Malaysia outperformed its pre-pandemic business performance, solidifying its position as the market leader in Malaysia’s premium segment. In 2022, electric cars accounted for over 31% of all deliveries of BMW and MINI, adding to the over 25,000 electrified BMW Group Malaysia vehicles already on the road.

BMW delivered more than 11,800 vehicles, up more than 37% over the same time the previous year, while MINI delivered more than 1,300 vehicles, up more than 25%. Over 1,300 bikes were delivered by BMW Motorrad, representing an increase of over 20%. These translate to an increase in overall deliveries throughout the BMW Group portfolio of more than 34% from the previous year.

“Our achievements in 2022 have been nothing short of extraordinary as we not only matched but far surpassed our performance from even before the Covid-19 pandemic. While we experienced a slowdown in 2020 and the chip shortage in most parts of 2021, 2022 has been a stellar year of recovery and growth for BMW Group Malaysia, as we re-emerge from the challenges of the last two years stronger than we have ever been. It is to our customers, dealers and associates of BMW Group Malaysia that we attribute all this success to – for without their support, dedication and passion for the brand, we would not have so graciously kept our Number One position in the Malaysian premium automotive segment for a third consecutive year! As we celebrate the 20^th anniversary of BMW Group Malaysia this year, we are reminded that it is our ambition and strategies for the Malaysian automotive sector that has brought us here today; not just to become the leading automaker in the premium segment, but also an established market leader for electrified vehicles in the country. We have seen the reception of EVs in the last year soar, especially after the introduction of the BMW i4, BMW iX and the BMW iX3 in January, alongside the locally-assembled and electrified BMW X3 xDrive30e M Sport. Today, we have made it possible for over 25,000 BMW and MINI EVs to traverse the country, proudly – and we are confident this figure will continue to grow significantly in the year ahead.”

Hans de Visser, Managing Director of BMW Group Malaysia

Close to 2,400,000 automobiles from the BMW Group portfolio, including Rolls-Royce, were delivered to consumers worldwide, reflecting both the local accomplishment and the brand’s global success. With over 215,000 units sold and a 108% rise, the performance of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) from the BMW Group range more than doubled in 2022, demonstrating a robust adoption of electrified mobility throughout the world. The BMW brand continued to lead the global premium market with a total global delivery of 2,100,000 units, followed by MINI with over 290,000 and BMW Motorrad with over 202,000. Over 6,000 units were delivered internationally, which was a record for Rolls-Royce in its 118-year existence.

Over 2,300 BMW 3 Series cars were delivered in Malaysia in 2022, and the BMW 320i Sport was the primary factor in this achievement for the BMW range. With 1,357 units sold, the BMW 2 Series established itself as a new favourite, lead by the BMW 218i Gran Coupé. The BMW 5 Series was next in line with 1,328 units delivered, more than half of which were the BMW 530i M Sport model.

The BMW portfolio increased deliveries of the BMW X family of Sports Activity Vehicles (SAVs) by more than twofold to over 5,100 units in 2022. Following the successful release of three new, locally assembled versions in 2022, including the electrified BMW X3 xDrive30e M Sport, the BMW X3 mirrored this rising trend and claimed the top rank for the BMW X line with over 1,300 deliveries. With nearly 1,200 and 1,100 units delivered, the BMW X1 and X5 also proved popular with Malaysian car buyers.

MINI’s success in the domestic market was spearheaded by the MINI Countryman. Over 65% of deliveries for the MINI portfolio were made by the adventure-ready model, which had over 800 units delivered. In 2022, MINI contributed to the growth of electric mobility with the delivery of more than 24% electrified MINI vehicles. When compared to the same time last year, deliveries have increased by nearly 83%.

BMW Motorrad inspired more Malaysians to Make Life a Ride in 2022, with over 700 choosing to do so on Adventure bikes. The BMW R 1250 GS Adventure, which sold over 340 units, significantly aided in this segment’s growth. Over 230 motorcycles were delivered in the Sports class, with the BMW G 310 GS leading the pack.

More than 5,000 BMW, MINI, and BMW Motorrad cars were funded by BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia in 2022, which represents roughly 35% of the total number of vehicles delivered in 2022. Last year, approximately 2,800 contracts were funded digitally. The BMW Easy Drive finance programme also experienced a 100% increase, with contracts signed more than doubled. Last year, it was also possible to see healthy penetration rates of 32% for the BMW brand, 31% for the MINI brand, and 59% for BMW Motorrad.

Due to the the ongoing support provided by the premium automaker’s network of dealers and devoted customer base, BMW Group Malaysia also earned a net promoter score of 98 for both the BMW and MINI brands, as well as 97 for BMW Motorrad in terms of sales. The net promoter scores for service are 97 for BMW and BMW Motorrad and 98 for MINI.

The market’s acceptance of electrified cars was effectively demonstrated by the remarkable delivery of more over 4,000 electrified BMW and MINI vehicles in 2022 alone, of which more than 31% are entirely electric. The BMW iX, which has almost 970 new owners, lead the BMW I range in terms of deliveries.

Throughout 2022, BMW Group Malaysia continued to expand its public charging network nationally in order to support the gradual uptake of electric vehicles. Owners of BMW and MINI EVs already have access to more than 610 charging facilities around the country thanks to BMW Group Malaysia. BMW and MINI EV customers now have access to over 330 charging stations thanks to collaborations with ChargEV, including the 26 charging stations powered by ChargEV and Yinson GreenTech at 17 Starbucks locations in the Klang Valley, Penang, Malacca, and Johor.

BMW Group Malaysia also has partnerships with Gentari, which has over 117 charging stations countrywide, and JomCharge, which provides access to about 65 charging stations. With a strategic infrastructure expansion plan already in place for 2023, the majority of authorised BMW and MINI dealerships across the nation provide over 80 BMW I charging facilities as well.

Beyond introducing new BMW I cars and services, BMW also ensured an EV-ready workforce with the BMW High Voltage Expert Certification, as part of its long-term commitment to upskilling local automotive talent through the transfer of technological know-how from throughout the BMW Group. This demonstrates the faith BMW Group Malaysia has in Malaysia as a regional automotive hub, which is further supported by the fact that a sizeable portion (over 70%) of BMW and MINI vehicles are locally assembled by Malaysians.

Over 11,200 BMW and MINI automobiles were assembled in Malaysia in 2022 thanks to the assembly plant in Kulim, Kedah, of which more than 2,500 were electrified. The new electrified BMW X3 was manufactured at the BMW Assembly Plant in Kulim in mid-2022, marking the milestone of 100,000th car assembled for BMW Group Malaysia, which is now in its 19th year of operations in the nation.

BMW Group Malaysia’s status as the country’s top exporter of luxury vehicles is further cemented by this success. With more than 6,700 exports to nearby nations like Thailand and the Philippines, the premium automaker is also the biggest exporter of automobiles.

17 model variants from the BMW Group portfolio were introduced in 2022, three of which were brand-new, completely electric BMW I cars that were showcased at NEXTGen Malaysia, a three-day conference on sustainability held by BMW Group Malaysia in January of last year. The product lineup of the BMW Group will be expanded in Malaysia this year, along with new sustainability initiatives carried out in partnership with key industry players that share the same circularity philosophy as BMW Group Malaysia.

“The year ahead is building up to be an exciting one and we are ready to continue delivering not just the Premium Ownership Experience, as we have done for the last two decades, but also Sheer Electric Driving Pleasure. As we charge into the new year, we look forward to new opportunities in every aspect of sustainability, beginning with our existing partners in sustainable solutions. Once again, we extend our utmost gratitude and appreciation to all our customers, associates, and dealer representatives in our network for making us Number One, three years in a row now.”

Hans de Visser, Managing Director of BMW Group Malaysia

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ETCM & TCEAS Flood Relief Assistance For Nissan Owners

Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn. Bhd. (ETCM), together with Tan Chong Ekspres Auto Servis Sdn. Bhd. (TCEAS), recently announced a special Nissan Flood Relief Assistance program for its customers impacted by the recent flash floods nationwide. This program offers 30% discount on parts and labour charges that will help alleviate the financial burden on Nissan owners whose vehicles are affected. On top of that, special upholstery restoration prices are available at RM1,655 nett for sedan vehicles and RM1,988 nett for MPV, SUV, Pick-up and vans respectively.

Additionally, Nissan owners can have better peace of mind with Easy Payment Plan (EPP) up to 12 months Interest-Free installments on the total bill, and 6 months or 10,000km warranty (whichever comes first) on Nissan Genuine Parts replacement.

Extended services such as *Free Towing (T&C apply), Door-to-Door Towing for vehicles that are badly affected and Collect & Delivery service for usual maintenance service over the weekends are also available. Nissan owners can contact Nissan Customer Care Centre Hotline at 1800-88-3838 for further assistance, and call the nearest TCEAS outlet or Nissan Authorised Service Dealer for an appointment.

Chinese New Year Aftersales Service Campaign

Send your Nissan vehicle for service at any Tan Chong Ekspres Auto Servis Sdn. Bhd. (TCEAS) Service Centre or authorized Nissan Service Dealer from January 1 to February 28, 2023 and get the opportunity to win prizes worth up to RM388,000!

Just spend a minimum of RM388 in a single bill (terms & conditions apply) and you stand a chance to win RM8, RM18, RM88, RM188, RM288, RM888 cash vouchers or ‘Ang Pao’ gifts in a lucky draw. Each customer will have one chance for the lucky draw.

Photo/ visual credits: Respective brands

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