BMW Group adds the 5 Series into its local production in Indonesia.

Jakarta.  BMW Group Indonesia has rolled out the locally assembled BMW 5 Series, currently the world’s best-selling mid-sized luxury sedan.  With this, Indonesia  became the eight country in the world to produce the 5 Series.  It is also the third BMW model produced at the Gaya Motor plant at Sunter, north of Jakarta, in addition to the 3 Series and X1. 

The roll-out of the new model was witnessed by the the Director General for Leading Industry based on High Technology, Dr. Ir. Budi Darmadi, together with Ms Heidrun Tempel, Deputy Mission Head of the German Embassy in Indonesia, the management of Astra International and BMW Group Indonesia.

“BMW Group entered Indonesia in 2001 at a time of economic uncertainty but we are committed for the long term, and continue to believe in the great potential of Indonesia.  As the world’s most successful premium car manufacturer, BMW Group's expansion of its production activities highlights Indonesia’s significant and growing position in the world economy,” said Ramesh Divyanathan, President Director of BMW Group Indonesia in his speech.

 “Our plan in Indonesia is to double our production rate in 2012, as well as to add more new models in the production line in the future.  We continue to invest in our production and retail business to capture the market potential.  This means an increase in economic value, more job opportunities, transfer of know-how and production capabilities to Indonesia.”

The new BMW 520i and 528i are two locally produced variants equipped with the new generation of 2-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine, with TwinPower Turbo technology combining  a TwinScroll turbocharger with VALVETRONIC, Double-VANOS and High Precision Injection.   Both models will be at showrooms in early January 2012. 

The BMW 520d with BMW Advanced Diesel engine will be added in the local production in February 2012.  The three locally-assembled variants together with the top model BMW 535i, which will remain a fully-imported model, will form a strong 5 Series model line-up in 2012 to penetrate the potential market in Indonesia.

The expansion of production activities follows the BMW Group’s announcement in May 2011 of a 100 billion rupiah (8 million euro) new investment in the country. The production of BMW models is centered at the plant of PT Gaya Motor, which is a unit of the BMW Group’s long-standing partner in Indonesia, PT Astra International.

The new investment at Gaya Motor’s production facilities covers the modernization of assembly lines, including installation of new tools and equipment, recruitment of staff as well as their training. 

 “The training of the staffs at Gaya Motor plant has started since July 2011.  Every time we launch a new model in the production plant, we have experts coming from our German plants to provide specific training and support.  For this new BMW 5 Series, we have fifteen production experts providing training on assembly  processes and quality requirements for about 2 months,” said Josef Weichinger, BMW Group’s  Plant Representative in Jakarta.  

“The staffs are very capable to understand and implement our high production standards and the key to our successful launch was the smooth interaction with our German experts.  We are very pleased with the overall result. Gaya Motor plant consistently meets BMW’s worldwide high standard for production and quality.”

The production line at Gaya Motor is efficient and capable of simultaneously producing a number of different models.  Production is currently running at a rate of 4 units per day for the 3 models, with a planned increase to 8 units per day in 2012.

Gaya Motor is part of BMW Group’s global production network that applies high standards of processes, quality control and safety requirements.  This guarantees that all locally-assembled models fulfill the stringent demands to qualify as a premium car. 

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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 25 production and assembly facilities in 14 countries and has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

During the financial year 2010, the BMW Group sold 1.46 million cars and more than 110,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax for 2010 was euro 4.8 billion on revenues amounting to euro 60.5 billion. At 31 December 2010, the BMW Group had a workforce of approximately 95,500 employees.

BMW Group Indonesia

BMW Group Indonesia is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Munich-based Bayerische Motoren Werke (BMW) AG in Germany. The establishment of this subsidiary in April 2001 reflects the BMW Group’s confidence in the long-term future of Indonesia.  BMW Indonesia Group activities cover the wholesale of BMW and MINI cars, spare parts and accessories, as well as the overall planning of sales, marketing, after-sales, and related activities in Indonesia. Its dealership network covers 11 new car dealers and 1 used-car dealer spread out in various cities in Indonesia. Selected models of the 3 Series, 5 Series and X1 compact SAV are assembled in Indonesia by a local partner. More information about BMW Indonesia may be found online at www.bmw.co.id.

For further information please contact:

Helena Abidin

Corporate Communications Director

Tel: +62 -21- 2992 3003            

Mobile: +62-816-968 450

Email: maria.h.abidin@bmw.co.id

Roberto Sumabrata
Corporate Communications
Tel : +62-21-2992 3009 ext 21724
Mobile : +62-818-306 307
Email : roberto.sumabrata@bmw.co.id