As BMW celebrates 100 years of engineering excellence, Richard Johnston, head of the BMW New Zealand Dealer Council, talks about the international celebrations and the Next 100 Years of innovation.
From his days as an apprentice technician three decades ago, Richard Johnston has seen BMW go from a luxury brand with a small presence in the New Zealand market to an undeniable international presence in automotive innovation.
“BMW has been extremely innovative. When you compare us with other premium manufacturers there is no doubt, from an engineering and innovation point of view, BMW tends to be very much at the forefront,” says Richard. “Whilst there has been a huge push as far as change in technology, BMW still have, at their core, the sheer driving pleasure or the ultimate driving machine. The car is still very much a driver’s car.”
These sentiments were reinforced at the recent BMW centenary event which Richard attended in Munich as a representative of BMW New Zealand. “There was recognition of the past but it was very focused on the future and where BMW is going over the Next 100 Years.”
“It reinforced the strength of the BMW brand and the companionship and the relationship dealers have with the manufacturer. It showed the passion, the desire and the enthusiasm of those retail partners.”
Find out more about the events, exhibitions and innovations of the Next 100 Years as BMW creates the history of tomorrow.
