BMW Group Thailand led by Mr. Alexander Baraka, President and CEO, and Khun Jariya Koonlinthip, Chief Executive Officer, BMW Financial Services Thailand, along with executives and employees,received 14 “Car & Bike of the Year 2024” awards at the ceremony hosted by
Grand Prix International PCL.
Bangkok. BMW Group Thailand further cements its position as a premium automotive market leader by clinching 14 awards from the Car & Bike of the Year 2024 for BMW, MINI, and BMW Motorrad brands. It has also been named Thailand’s Most Admired Company in the Automotive Industry for the sixth consecutive year by BrandAge magazine.
This accolade highlights the brand’s unmatched benchmark with the highest Customer Satisfaction in sales and after-sales service. These awards showcase the company’s dedication to excellence across multiple vehicle categories and drivetrains, embodying the principles of Sheer Driving Pleasure and Customer Centricity that BMW, MINI, and BMW Motorrad stand for. Since 2001, BMW Group Thailand has amassed over 214 awards from Car & Bike of the Year.
The Car of the Year 2024 Awards for BMW include:
- Best Sedan under 2,000 CC: BMW 330Li M Sport
- Best Hybrid Sedan under 2,000 CC: BMW 330e M Sport
- Best Hybrid SUV under 3,000 CC: BMW X5 xDrive 50e M Sport
- Best Petrol SUV under 3,000 CC: BMW X6 xDrive40i M Sport
- Best Diesel SUV under 3,000 CC: BMW X7 xDrive40d M Sport
- Best Sport Sedan: BMW M340i xDrive
- Best Sport Coupe: BMW M2
- Best Sport SUV: BMW XM 50e
- Best EV Mid-Size Sedan: BMW i5 M60 xDrive
- Best EV Luxury Sedan: BMW i7 xDrive60 M Sport
- Best EV Luxury SUV: BMW iX xDrive40 Sport
The Car of the Year 2024 Award presented to MINI:
12. Best Sport Hatchback 3 Doors: MINI John Cooper Works
The Bike of the Year 2024 Awards presented to BMW Motorrad:
13. Best Adventure Heavy Weight: BMW R 1250 GS
14. Best Electric Motorcycle with over 3,000 Watts: BMW CE 04
Mr. Alexander Baraka, President and CEO of BMW Group Thailand, expressed, “We are profoundly honoured to be recognised with these 14 prestigious awards from The Car & Bike of the Year 2024. This distinction affirms our team’s relentless pursuit of mobility innovations, offering outstanding products and experiences to our customers while championing sustainability and responsible manufacturing. The exceptional performance across our diverse model lineup, including luxurious SUVs, sporty sedans, and versatile electric vehicles such as the BMW i5 M60 xDrive, BMW i7 xDrive60 M Sport, BMW iX xDrive40 Sport, and BMW X5 xDrive50e M Sport, validates the credibility of these accolades. BMW Group Thailand is dedicated to delivering best-in-class products with advanced technology and customer satisfaction, continuing to shape the future of Thailand’s automotive landscape.”
“Recently, BMW Group Thailand has been named Thailand’s Most Admired Company 2023-2024 by BrandAge Magazine for the 6th consecutive year. This award is a perfect reflection of the way we are as a highly dynamic company. We are eager to adapt in order to be more in line with changing customer needs. We always recognize the needs of customers, employees and dealer partners to provide the support that they need to move forward. We are ready to develop and create a better future for our customers. This is, of course, our highest priority.” Baraka concluded.
The Car & Bike of the Year Awards is held annually by Grand Prix International PCL – the founder and organiser of the Bangkok International Motor Show. The awards are presented to honour distinguished vehicles in various categories. The criteria are divided into two major aspects. Firstly, participating vehicles would be considered for their performance, efficiency, safety, innovation, environmental impact, and design. Secondly, each vehicle underwent test drive sessions on a closed track with challenges designed to assess their real-world qualities – including steering precision, suspension performance, engine output, torque level, and acceleration. Participating cars were tested and evaluated by a panel of judges comprising respected motoring journalists from the Thai Automotive Journalists Association, committee from the Society of Automotive Engineers, leading research institutes of Thai universities, as well as independent bike testers
2024 from BrandAge Magazine for the 6th consecutive year.
In addition, BMW Group Thailand has been named Thailand’s Most Admired Company 2023-2024 by BrandAge Magazine for the 6th consecutive year. The results of the survey reflect outstanding factors that contribute to BMW Group Thailand’s business success in various areas. These include ‘Business Performance’, ‘Innovation’ and ‘Management’. The award also recognises the company’s ability to consistently engage in and establish relationships with customers through activities and events under the BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad marques. This gives the company the ability to address customer needs and adequately deliver superior products and services to them.
Last year, BMW Group Thailand achieved its highest-ever Customer Satisfaction in sales and after-sales service, with scores of 94 and 90, respectively. This marks a consistent improvement over the past four years and emphasises the company’s commitment to a customer-centric approach and collaboration with its official dealer network in Thailand, ensuring unparalleled satisfaction, exceptional service, and the ultimate driving experience.
In addition to the prestigious awards, BMW Group Thailand also enjoys the trust and confidence of its customer base in the country. A customer of the BMW 330e M Sport, Mr. Gun Inthon, shared his impressive experience with BMW’s aftersales service: “The moment my car was involved in a major collision in Rayong, a female officer from BMW’s Emergency Call (E-Call) contacted me almost immediately without having to press any buttons. She asked if I needed an ambulance, emergency vehicle, or tow truck. Since I did not have any injuries, I asked for a contact number for further assistance. After that, I took my car to the Nelson Autohaus Chonburi. It took about two months from the time I delivered the car until it was repaired. During that time, the staff kept me updated on the repair process. After the repair, the car was as smooth as new. I was still confident in the car’s performance and found no difference from a new car.”
On the other hand, Ms. Ralyn Udompanich, a fan and user of MINI in Thailand who was featured in Germany’s MINI Insider The Big Love Issue 2023/2024 magazine eagerly awaited by MINIsters, said: “MINI is a brand that my mother has loved for a long time, so we decided to buy a MINI Cooper D Countryman R60 as my first car, and then got another Clubman model for herself. After using it continuously, we fell more in love with MINI’s design, so we bought another one for my father. Now, our house has a total of 5 MINI cars. What we love is that MINI vehicles can express the owner’s personality very clearly because we can customise the car to the fullest.” In addition, she was impressed with the service received when taking her MINI to the service centre, and the fact that the sales staff treated her like a friend who constantly gave advice about cars and aftersales topics even after the sale was over.
Meanwhile, Dr. Vikorn Poovapat, a businessman who owns six BMW motorcycles, all of which he owns due to his love for the riding experience, vehicle performance, and service from BMW dealers. He shared that every salesperson takes good care of customers, follows up after sales, invites to participate in riding events. Overall, he receives excellent service to the point of being almost flawless.
The vehicles from BMW and MINI that received the Car & Bike of the Year 2024 awards for all 12 models are as follows:
BMW
MINI
BMW Motorrad
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