General pictures, Geneva Motor Show, several shots. BMW booth, several shots BMW M135i xDrive, BMW M4 Coupe Moto GP Safety Car, BMW 220i Gran Tourer, several shots. BMW 220i Gran Tourer, several shots. BMW M4 Coupe Moto GP Safety Car, several shots.

Bonjour and welcome to the BMW Group! We have been providing mobility for our customers for 99 years. In 2014 we achieved a new all-time high in sales: For the first time ever, we delivered more than two million BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce vehicles to our customers. BMW is and will remain a sporty brand.

Ten years ago, we launched the BMW 1 Series. Back then, and throughout its whole lifetime, I have had a close connection to this model range, most recently as Head of the Product Line. The BMW 1 Series is best proof of the fact that premium also works in the compact class. The BMW 1 Series has acquired many new customers for the BMW brand. Today around 10 percent of all BMW vehicles sold are 1 Series vehicles. Since its launch in 2004, around two million customers have chosen a BMW 1 Series model. So you see, the 1 Series has long been a fully fledged member of the BMW family and makes a significant contribution to our corporate success.

We’ve pioneered new segments with vehicles such as the BMW X5, BMW i3 and i8, the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer, and now, here today for its world premiere – the new BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer. This is sheer driving pleasure in a completely new form! It is the world’s first premium Multi Purpose Vehicle – the first premium seven-seater in the compact segment. The BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer unites the segment’s traditional attributes of roominess and flexibility with the hallmark BMW values of dynamics, elegance, premium quality and safety. It fully meets the mobility needs of young and active families.

Ladies and Gentlemen – In 2007, I presented our Efficient Dynamics fleet to you here in Geneva. We have accomplished a lot since then. And I deliberately say, we. I am delighted that the entire Management Board is here today. So I’d like you all to join me on stage. This is my last appearance at a motor show. Today, we have shown you that the BMW Group is dynamic. It is versatile. And it shapes the future of individual mobility. All this serves one primary goal: To offer our customers sheer driving pleasure.

Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to MINI. What a start of the year. 9000 tough racing-kilometers across dry desert, rugged mountains and seemingly endless saltlakes. Thirty legs trough Argentina, Chile, Bolivia and ultimately to a fantastic victory. And today I have brought along the newest member of our high performance family: please welcome the new MINI John Cooper Works.