BMW PH opens digital showroom, introduces service packages

MANILA: Despite the general easing of quarantine controls, businesses now opening their doors are behooved to exert great care in the conduct of activities. The only rational way to go about this is to lessen, if not eliminate totally, physical contact or even close proximity.

The not-so-new normal is thus seeing enterprises migrating to the digital marketplace — increasing functionalities and interactions that can be accommodated on the internet.

For SMC Asia Car Distributors Corp. (SMC ACDC), the official importer and distributor of BMW in the Philippines, the time is nigh to go digital. In a virtual press conference last week headlined by its president Spencer Yu, the company announced the introduction of new programs and products aimed at providing better (and safer) services and experiences for guests and clientele.

To be honest, the gradual loosening of the quarantine revealed a greater pent-up demand for aftersales service, said Yu. Though the company isn’t pushing or even expecting much by way of new-car sales, its physical facilities are being sanitized and prepped nonetheless for the safety of aftersales, sales clients, and employees. “Just as any other brand, we have more or less the same protocols,” reported the executive.

And to the earlier point, BMW Philippines is now unveiling a digital showroom. In a release, the company said it endeavors to “increase its digital footprint and develop community engagement with existing and aspiring owners.” The BMW Digital Showroom is a portal to “learn more about BMW vehicles, special offers, and to keep up to date on key information about the brand. Vehicle models, specifications, brochures, and pricing are easily accessible… This also serves as a jumping point, connecting visitors to their closest dealers for a private viewing or even a home-based test drive.”

During the press conference, Yu said, “The point is to develop the ownership experience of customers (and) aspiring BMW owners. It’s a helpful platform to make purchase decisions.”

The official BMW Philippines website still remains to be bmw.com.ph, but the BMW Digital Showroom https://bethefirst.bmw.com.ph/digitalshowroom/ is a microsite that serves up more localized and, perhaps, more useful content. Again, prospective clients can more easily sign up for information and can check out at a glance the pricing of the BMW portfolio.

For greater peace of mind, from June 1, all brand-new vehicles sold by SMC ACDC dealers will carry a five-year/200,000-kilometer warranty. This “covers all mechanical and electrical components, but does not cover preventive maintenance or wear and tear items.” The five-year warranty is also transferable should the vehicle be sold before the program lapses.

Meanwhile, the BMW Service Inclusive (BSI) serves up purchasable packages that cover preventive maintenance costs of brand-new BMWs for five years or 60,000 kilometers. Included in the BSI are oil changes, replacement of oil filters, spark plugs, brake fluid, and a service check according to BMW specifications. Customized packages are available touting higher mileage limits up to five years of 100,000 kilometers.

“This is a condition-based service,” declared Yu. “At BMW, we don’t have such a thing as PMS. The car itself tells you when to have it serviced, based on usage.”

Photos from BMW

Also read: BMW Philippines network resumes operations