Bangkok. BMW Group Thailand continues to breathe life into its social and environmental sustainability commitments by announcing the winners of the Dealer Sustainability Awards 2023, reinforcing its focus on sustainable business operations with a positive impact on society and the environment. The project’s objective is to empower BMW and MINI authorised dealers to address environmental challenges and develop solutions contributing to sustainable transformations.
As part of the ‘CHOICEISYOURS 2023’ program, which ran for two consecutive years, the competition is dedicated to instilling circular economy principles and sustainable development in Thailand while fostering innovative sustainability ideas that can evolve into viable projects for local communities. The program comprises two parts: a sustainable idea competition for Thai university students, concluding with six winning teams in November 2023, and a competition for BMW Group Thailand’s authorised dealers aimed at creating a positive impact for all stakeholders in Thailand.
The Dealer Sustainability Awards 2023 received numerous entries from BMW Group Thailand’s authorised dealers across the country, showcasing their commitment not only to environmental responsibility but also to social responsibility and workforce well-being. The awards cover four topics: CO2 Reduction, Employee Engagement, Circularity, and Electromobility. Participating dealers must exhibit their experimental concepts and implement their initiatives to demonstrate their visions, business operations, and tangible results, all to be evaluated based on ESG (Environment, Social, and Governance) principles.
Mr. Alexander Baraka, President and CEO of BMW Group Thailand, emphasised, “True environmental and social responsibility can only be achieved through collaboration, which is why we actively support sustainable business practices with our network of authorised BMW and MINI dealers. The Dealer Sustainability Awards 2023 highlight the remarkable efforts of our business partners in creating a greener, healthier, and more sustainable future, all aligned with BMW Group’s global vision of achieving climate neutrality across the entire value chain by 2050.”
The winners in each category of the Dealer Sustainability Awards 2023 are as follows:
Excellence in CO2 Reduction Initiatives
Winner: “Cherdchai Eco Action”
by Cherdchai Autohaus
Cherdchai Autohaus has embarked on a comprehensive program to reduce carbon dioxide emissions throughout its operations, aiming to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Their initiatives include the implementation of energy-efficient LED lighting and the installation of roof solar panels for power generation. The solar panels are able to generate electricity for 70% of the dealership’s energy consumption needs, saving up to 317,400 kWh of energy per year and reducing 136,400 kilogram of carbon emission per year which equals to planting 3,500 trees. Cherdchai Autohaus also planted 1,000 trees to offset its carbon footprint.
Moreover, Cherdchai Autohaus prioritises staff training in eco-friendly practices and explores participation in a carbon offset program (Carbon Credit). They have also transitioned their showroom vehicle selection to electric models, complete with on-site charging stations. Customers and employees benefit from collaboration with local public transit services, allowing them to visit Cherdchai Autohaus with minimal individual carbon footprint.
Excellence in Employee Engagement Initiatives
Winner: “Passion Drives Us Forward,
Your Step Makes a Difference” by Europa Motor
received the ‘Excellence in Employee Engagement Initiatives’ award from Mr. Alexander Baraka (3rd left), President and CEO of BMW Group Thailand
In a newly introduced category for the 2023 contest, Europa Motor secured the Employees prize by embarking on an ambitious initiative focused on enhancing the health and wellness of its employees. This program encouraged Europa Motor’s workforce to prioritise their well-being over a 40-day period, with full company support encompassing training, nutritional guidance, health coaching, and measurement services. Together, the team aimed to collectively achieve a milestone of 40,000,000 steps through various forms of exercise.
In addition to the positive impact on the employees’ own health, Europa Motor also presented a total donation of 160,000 baht from a total of 40,000,000 steps recorded (10,000 steps = 40 baht) to give the gift of well-being to the Prostheses Foundation of HRH the Princess Mother.
Excellence in Circularity Initiatives
Winner: “Share for More”
by Millennium Auto
The Millennium Auto team undertook an initiative to address concerns related to surplus packages, products, and materials throughout the entire organisation, with the aim of reusing or repurposing them. To execute this plan, they established a staff committee to lead the effort, which involved cataloguing and categorizing unused items and materials. Subsequently, they presented their findings to the committee and formulated an action plan.
In addition to repurposing previously unused items, Millennium Auto employees collaborated to gather a substantial quantity of plastic water bottles, totaling 7,000 bottles, which were donated to Wat Chak Daeng in Samut Prakan Province. These bottles will undergo recycling to create yellow robes for Buddhist monks. Furthermore, old calendars were repurposed into Braille books for the visually impaired. The company also initiated several projects aimed at reducing carbon emissions, resulting in ISO 14064-1:2018 certification, underscoring their commitment to social responsibility by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and contributing to the mitigation of global warming and climate change.
Excellence in Electromobility Initiatives
Winner: “Beyond Expectations:
E Drive” by Performance Motors
Mr. Alexander Baraka (3rd left), President and CEO of BMW Group Thailand
Aligning with the BMW Group’s pivotal role in driving the transformation of the automotive industry towards greater sustainability, Performance Motors has taken significant steps into the realm of electric vehicles (EVs). They have adopted a complete fleet of Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) from BMW’s lineup for their management team, demonstrating a strong commitment to sustainable mobility. Moreover, Performance Motors actively encourages its employees to make the switch to electric vehicles, providing financial support to those interested in purchasing BEVs.
Furthermore, the company has devised special incentives for its sales staff to boost the sales of electric models and for those who share creative content to raise awareness about the positive impact of zero-emission driving among Thai customers.
BMW Group Thailand continues to uphold its dedication to fostering positive changes in both social and environmental aspects, adhering to the Business Ambition for 1.5°C trajectory recommended in the Paris Climate Accord. Through collaborative efforts with various partners, BMW Group Thailand promotes a green and sustainable culture through initiatives like the CHOICEISYOURS project, which has been ongoing since 2022. This project involves collaborations with six prominent organizations, including Central Group, Chaipattana Foundation, Microsoft Thailand, SCG, Noble Development, and Delta Electronics (Thailand), with a focus on nurturing Thai students’ knowledge and understanding of the circular economy concept. BMW Group remains committed to empowering individuals with the “choice” to create a better future, both for Thailand and the world at large.
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