This Year’s BMW Expo will Be a Showcase of BMW’s 100 Years of Ultimate Driving Machines

BMW, the Ultimate Driving Machine, turns 100 this year. To mark this momentous occasion, the German carmaker will hold a series of events throughout the world. And one of these is the annual BMW Expo. This time around, it will run from October 7 to 9 at Bonifacio High Street in Bonifacio Global City.

Like past Expos, the 2016 staging will be a showcase of BMW cars, SAVs, and bikes, both old and new. Being the marque’s centenary, however, iconic nameplates like the 3.0 CSL, the E28 M5, Z1, and the R65 Motorrad will be on hand for everyone to appreciate. The past meets the future as the all-new, 7-Series luxury sedan—the epitome of high tech—will be showcased as well.

Speaking of what’s in store for the next century, the BMW Vision Next 100 treats visitors to an augmented reality experience at the Vision Gate. Kids and the young-at-heart can watch or even join the remote controlled car races, with (you guessed it) BMW toy cars. And a slew of licensed BMW apparel and lifestyle items will be available for those who want a taste of the Ultimate Driving experience—albeit in their clothing and other goodies

Folks who could afford a real BMW car or bike, on ter other hand, can avail of special deals on brand new or pre-owned units from the BMW Premium Selection. If you’re a BMW owner, you can get preferential parking at the BMW Car Park located on 9th corner 30th avenue on October 8th. They may even have a photo taken with their BMW to serve as a special momento.

And what could be more memorable than the commemorative 3-Series Art Car that will be launched during the event? It will toast the brand’s 100th birthday and will encourage everyone to leave their mark as a symbol of their support for the BMW name.

The 2016 BMW Expo will take place at Papa Bear Activity Area and 9th Avenue in Bonifacio High Street. It’s one motoring-filled experience any car nut shouldn’t miss.

Are we ready for Autonomous Cars?

Aside from electric vehicles, the automotive world also shifted into second gear in its development and information campaign on autonomous or driverless driving. And they are doing so in a big way.

At the recently-concluded Automotive Summit with the theme “Pathway to Global Green Automotive Hub” held at the Bitec Convention Center in Bangkok, Mr. Rommel Juan, president of the Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP) was there to learn about advances in green and other technologies in Thailand’s automotive Industry.

According to him, different representatives of auto car manufacturers in Thailand, as well as the different resource speakers in the forum, confirmed that the future direction of the world auto industry will indeed go the way of electric vehicles. “Automakers such as Toyota, Nissan and BMW all talked about their various HEV Hybrid Electric Vehicles, PHEV Plugin Hybrid Electric Vehicles and BEV Battery Electric Vehicles which is also known as Full Electric Vehicles.”

Juan discloses though that one revelation that stood out and was apparent in the forum was the progress and the advanced stage of development of autonomous or driverless vehicles. It is a vehicle that is capable of sensing its environment and navigating without human input. “In the Philippines, we first saw this in an advertisement of a car that parks itself, without a driver operating the steering wheel.”

In the forum, BMW talked about its autonomous driving technology which promotes safety in driving as it senses driving obstructions and road hazards and avoids accidents. Scania also discussed the self-driving mining vehicles that are now widely used in Europe. The Singapore Port Authority is now also organizing a bid to automate all the vehicles in its port which it expects will result in increased efficiency and productivity in port operations.

“It seems the reality of autonomous driving is upon us and not just experiments from tech companies such as Google and from innovators such as Tesla”, said Juan. “From what we learned at the forum, all the major car companies have been developing their own autonomous driving technology and the development is ahead of anything that we are aware of.”

Juan cautions though that obviously, consumers are still torn and are unprepared to accept the reality that in the near future, cars will no longer require a human driver. “It may be because of safety issues or just plain resistance to change. But this is not stopping the auto industry in introducing more proofs of concept and various autonomous driving platforms.”

Indeed, the age of driverless vehicles is close at hand. Are we ready for it?

BMW motorcycle enthusiasts earned top honors in the first ever Cannonball 1000 endurance run in the Philippines.

Cementing his reputation as one of the country’s finest professional riders, 68-year old businessman Max Kienle led the individual category on a BMW R1200 GS Adventure LC. The BMW Motorrad-supported Club PK also displayed a stellar performance and finished ahead of their counterparts in the Group of 10 category.

Under the leadership of six-time endurance champion Joey Almeda, the recently concluded Cannonball 1000 surpassed its target headcount and attracted over 600 motorcycle riders and car drivers from all over the country. Participants of the event navigated a route of over 1000 kilometers across Northern Luzon to complete the 24-hour challenge.

All-New BMW M3 and M4 Coupe to be revealed at BMW XPO 2014.

Asian Carmakers Corporation (ACC), the official importer and distributor of BMW in the Philippines, once again reinforces BMW’s continued dominance in the premium automotive segment by holding its biggest selling event for the year, the BMW XPO 2014. From November 14-16, BMW will be hosting an exciting weekend that will allow BMW fans and the general motoring public to experience the best of BMW.

To be held at the BMW Pavilion located in McKinley West along Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, which is the exact location of last month’s dramatic Vios Cup season ender, the BMW XPO 2014 will showcase the latest models of BMW cars and motorcycles, as well as the best deals on both brand new and certified pre-owned BMW Premium Selection (BPS) vehicles during the 3-day festivity.

Taking centerstage and pumping additional adrenaline to the event will be the much-awaited models from the world’s most powerful letter – the BMW M. For the first time, XPO visitors will get a chance to see up-close the all-new BMW M3 Sedan and BMW M4 Coupe, together with their equally talented cousins, the BMW M235i and the BMW M135i from BMW’s M Performance Automobiles (MPA) division.

“Unlike any of our previous BMW XPO, this year’s event will be about taking sheer driving pleasure to the next level. THE BMW XPO 2014, to be held in our biggest venue to date, will showcase the best of what BMW has to offer in a manner that will allow our guests to have a more holistic and unique BMW experience. It will be made even more special with the public debut of the much awaited models from our BMW M division, the all-new BMW M3 and BMW M4 Coupe,” says ACC President Maricar Parco.

Other exclusive highlights that visitors can look forward to during the BMW XPO 2014 are the following:
Available test drive for a wide selection of the latest BMW cars & motorcycles, as well as BMW Premium Selection (BPS) vehicle
Attractive financing and leasing offers for select brand-new BMW vehicles, as well as exclusive deals on BPS units
Special rates for BMW Lifestyle items and accessories
Free diagnostic check-up for BMW vehicles

To further fuel the excitement of XPO visitors , three (3) lucky individuals will win a special edition BMW Ice Watch in the daily raffle draw. Moreover, buyers of any brand new BMW car during the three-day affair will get a chance to win a limited edition BMW Cruise M-Bike, while visitors who will purchase any BPS vehicle on-site will qualify for a raffle to bring home a sleek BMW Cruise Bike.

“As the leader in the premium automotive segment, we are committed to continuously provide our customers with the promise of JOY. Through the BMW XPO 2014, we reaffirm this commitment by providing BMW customers and fans an opportunity to enjoy a unique experience of BMW’s finest, all in one place,” adds Parco.

BMW is inviting everyone to visit the BMW XPO 2014 from November 14 to 16 at the BMW Pavilion, McKinley West, Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio to experience a weekend of sheer driving pleasure. For more information on the BMW XPO 2014, please email information@bmw.com.ph or visit the official Facebook page of BMW Philippines (BMW.Philippines).