Over 700 guests, representatives
of the Royal Family of Romania, ambassadors, political, cultural and business
personalities, journalists and BMW aficionados, were present at the event in
order to celebrate two decades of presence in Romania for the most successful
premium auto brand in the world.
The year 1994 marks the beginning
of a successful story in the Romanian business sector, a story written
alongside BMW by a Romanian of German origin, Michael Schmidt, who returned
home in order to support the development of his community. Thus, the founder of
Automobile Bavaria Group opened the first BMW office in Romania, having 3
employees and selling 11 auto vehicles that year. Through a happy association
of common values, the partnership between BMW and Automobile Bavaria has
written pages of automobile history in Romania throughout the years. The
network of dealerships now includes 11 locations (showrooms and BMW service
points) in various regions of the country, the only Rolls-Royce service point
on a 1,000-km radius (located in Baneasa), a representation and three MINI
service points, a BMW Motorrad division, five BMW dealerships in Germany and
the first BMW Advanced Body Repair service point inaugurated in Otopeni this
year.
At the anniversary gala the
public watched a show given by the Royal Camerata and the London Quartet, but
not before welcome messages were given by Mr. Michael Schmidt, President
Automobile Bavaria Group, and Mr. Andrea Castronovo, President BMW Group
Central and South East Europe.
A special moment consisted of the
unveiling of the BMW i8 model, a moment preceded by the performance given by
pan flute maestro Nicolae Voiculet, famous the world over for his skill.
In the context of the anniversary
marking two decades of activity, Dr. Andrea Castronovo, President of BMW Group
Central and South East Europe, stated: “Automobile Bavaria has always shown
constant preoccupation with developing its own network of BMW dealerships in
Romania and that is why we want to congratulate them for the significant
investments that the group has made in the main cities of the country, from
Constanta to Timisoara, thus contributing not only to the development of a
healthy business but also to the creation of new jobs and to local economic
development.
Apart from the activities having
to do with the BMW, BMW M, MINI, Rolls-Royce and Motorrad brands, we are glad
to announce that Automobile Bavaria will expand by including the BMW i brand
among the brands in its portfolio. Soon, Automobile Bavaria will become an
authorized dealer and service provider for the BMW i vehicles. Bucharest is the
sixth-largest city in the European Union, that is why we believe the presence
of BMW i in the country is justified. Hence we look to the future with
confidence in a new BMW success story in Romania.”
Mr. Michael Schmidt, President
Automobile Bavaria Group, stated: “In 1993 I was at my parents’ home in Germany
for Christmas and I met a friend who was working at the BMW research center; he
told me about the concern’s intention to launch the brand in Romania. On April
1st I started the distribution of BMWs in Romania. I started out with an office
in the only business center in Bucharest and I sold 11 cars with the help of
three employees. Today, 20 years later, Automobile Bavaria Group has over 600
employees and 15 dealerships in two countries. The fact that I have stayed in
Romania and I have invested here in the last 20 years is proof of my confidence
in this market and in the brands we represent.
Ilie Nastase, Gheorghe Hagi, Prince
Radu and Gabriel Liiceanu were among the personalities invited at the event,
being some of the most well-known partners and ambassadors of the BMW brand.
“I want to thank Michael Schmidt,
on behalf of the children at the Academy, for the fact that you are taking care
of us. I wish you happy birthday and try to remain the best!” Gheorghe Hagi,
BMW brand ambassador in Romania, stated. Ilie Nastase also expressed his pride
in being Automobile Bavaria ambassador for almost ten years and his wishes that
the BMW brand will remain leader on the Romanian market in the following years
too.
This article is available in Romanian here.
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