PressClub South Africa · Article.
BMW South Africa donates educational car to the University of Pretoria.
Wed Aug 13 18:15:00 CEST 2014 Press Kit
The University of Pretoria has welcomed the donation of a BMW 3 Series Sedan educational display car by BMW South Africa. The donation forms part of the company’s commitment to enhancing young people’s access to maths, science, engineering and technology.
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Edward Makwana
BMW Group
Tel: +27-12-522-2227
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- Educational display car to boost premium vehicle research
- BMW South Africa continues to promote access to maths, science, engineering and technology
The University of Pretoria has welcomed the donation of a BMW 3 Series Sedan educational display car by BMW South Africa. The donation forms part of the company’s commitment to enhancing young people’s access to maths, science, engineering and technology.
The BMW 3 Series Sedan educational display car was built in the pre-production stage of the new BMW 3 Series at Plant Rosslyn, Pretoria in early 2012. “These vehicles would have been scrapped, however we are proud to be able to donate one of them to form part of the valuable research that the University of Pretoria is currently undertaking in the automotive field,” said Edward Makwana, Group Automotive Communications Manager at BMW South Africa.
The University’s vehicle dynamics group is active in vehicle testing and research on driver assistant systems, suspension and braking efficiency improvement. The donation of the BMW educational car will enable the university to support other research partners in the premium vehicle sector including their German counterparts and other institutions.
The handover of the BMW 3 Series Sedan educational display car was received by University of Pretoria representatives Professor Roelf Sandenbergh, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering: Built Environment and Information Technology (EBIT), Professor Josua Meyer, Head of the School of Engineering and Department of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering, and Professor Schalk Els, Research Group Leader of the Vehicle Dynamics Group (VDG). Several Master’s Degree and PhD undergraduates were also in attendance as they are actively involved in conducting the research and will be benefitting from the donation.
"The Vehicle Dynamics Group is excited to take delivery of our new BMW 3 Series test platform. We will use the platform to develop and test new methods for improving vehicle comfort, efficiency and safety using the latest mechanical, electrical and electronics technologies. This test platform will boost our teaching and research activities, and take it to a higher level of local relevance and international competitiveness," concludes Professor Schalk Els, Research Group Leader of the VDG.
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For any queries please contact:
Mr Guy Kilfoil
General Manager: Group Communications & Public Affairs
BMW South Africa (Pty) Ltd
Phone: +27-12-522-2204
Cell: +27-82-583-6262
Email: Guy.Kilfoil@bmw.co.za
Or
Edward Makwana
Manager: Group Automotive Communications
BMW South Africa (Pty) Ltd
Phone: +27-12-522-2227
Cell: +27-83-717-3184
Email: edward.makwana@bmw.co.za
The BMW Group
With its three brands BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. As a global company, the BMW Group operates 29 production and assembly facilities in 14 countries and has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.
In 2013, the BMW Group sold approximately 1.963 million cars and 115,215 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax for the financial year 2013 was € 7.91 billion on revenues amounting to approximately € 76.06 billion. As of 31 December 2013, the BMW Group had a workforce of 110,351 employees.
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