BMW has had a presence in Malaysia for a long time (from the 1960s) but in the first few decades, its presence was largely just selling its cars as ‘The Ultimate Driving Machines’. Gradually, the company grew to become more embedded and involved in the local auto industry, transferring technology to produce cars and advancing the industry.
20 years ago, the carmaker established its own subsidiary – BMW Group Malaysia – which took on a wide range of roles encompassing manufacturing, distribution and marketing. Naturally, the brand moved on to a higher level as a premium brand, always introducing new and more advanced technologies with its products.
Experiential event
In conjunction with this 20-year milestone of propelling progress in the Malaysian automotive industry, BMW Group Malaysia will have an event called ‘Forwardism, by BMW’. It is described as an experiential event ‘where luxury meets cutting-edge innovation, alongside an electrifying roadshow to redefine the future of Electrified Mobility in Malaysia’.
The event will be open to the public on September 23 and 24 (Saturday/Sunday) and it will be at a specially created House of Forwardism in the Open Space Car Park adjacent to the Mandarin Oriental in Kuala Lumpur.
At the venue, visitors will be able to immerse themselves in the technological achievements and advancements of the BMW Group, particularly in the area of electrification. BMW has been leading in electrification in the premium luxury segment, having begun the journey some years back.
Today, it offers a range of hybrid and fully electric models in Malaysia, including flagship models such as the i7 and XM. To support owners and also contribute to building the EV charging network in the country, BMW Group Malaysia has also been collaborating with energy providers and other stakeholders to set up charging stations.
As a large turn-out is expected, those who wish to visit the House of Forwardism have to register in advance for entry (no charge). To register, visit www.bmw.com.my/forwardism.
Other venues
For those who are not in KL or unable to attend the event, there are also ‘Forwardism, Pop-Up, by BMW’ events to be held at five locations in Peninsular Malaysia. The locations and dates are as follow:
- AEON Bandaraya, Malacca (September 14-17, 2023)
- 1Utama Shopping Centre, Klang Valley (September 21-24, 2023)
- AEON Kinta City, Ipoh (October 12-15, 2023)
- Mid Valley Southkey, Johor Bahru (November 1-5, 2023)
- Pavilion Bukit Jalil, Klang Valley (November 8-12, 2023)
At these locations, visitors can also have an immersive experience and take test-drives of the various BMW i models so they can have a feel of what the Electrified Future is like. Sales advisors will also be on hand to provide information on making purchases as well as financing options and special offers available.