Manaus. The brazilian plant of BMW Motorrad celebrates a decade of operations with a major production record, a special edition of the R 1300 GS Adventure and new projects of industrial innovation.
BMW Motorrad Manaus celebrates its tenth anniversary with an achievement that reflects the evolution of the German brand in Brazil: 150 thousand motorcycles produced since the inauguration of its facilities in 2016. The factory, located in the heart of the brazilian Amazon, has established itself as a piece of strategic within the international network of production of BMW Motorrad.
During this decade, the plant has strengthened its industrial capacity expanded its range of motorcycles and developed an operation that combines German technology with local talent. Its importance goes beyond the production figures, as it currently represents one of the main pillars of the commercial growth of BMW Motorrad in the brazilian market.
BMW Motorrad Manaus: a decade of growth in Brazil
Inaugurated in 2016 and within the free trade Zone of Manaus, the factory has a feature that distinguishes it within the BMW Group: it is the only facility of the company outside of Germany devoted exclusively to the manufacture of motorcycles.
From its early years, the plant was designed to respond to the needs of the brazilian market, while maintaining the international standards of engineering, quality and precision that characterize BMW Motorrad.
Their integration to the global network of production has allowed us to progressively increase the ability of manufacturing, incorporate new models and strengthen the availability of motorcycles to the local customers.
The anniversary comes accompanied by a historical figure: 150 thousand units produced, a result that demonstrates the evolution of an industrial operation that started ten years ago and that it currently occupies a fundamental place in the strategy of the brand.
Markus Flasch, CEO of BMW Motorrad, he stressed that this conclusion represents the long-term commitment of the company in Brazil, and recognized the strategic importance of Manaus to the international growth of the division of motorcycles.
99% of BMW motorcycles sold in Brazil made in Manaus
One of the most relevant data of this operation is that the factory BMW Motorrad Manaus currently produces 99% of the models, the brand marketed in Brazil.
The plant has a catalog of 13 motorcycles that spans across different segments, from urban models to high-performance sport motorcycles and designed to travel large distances.
Among the models produced are:
Range of urban and access: BMW G 310 R, G 310 GS and C 400 X.
Intermediate segment and adventure: BMW F 800 GS, F 900 R, F 900 GS and F 900 GS Adventure.
High performance: BMW S 1000 RR.
Family boxer and tourism: a BMW R 1300 GS, R 1300 GS Adventure, R 1300 RT, R 12 and R 12 G/S.
This diversity demonstrates the flexibility of the facility to produce motorcycles with different mechanical settings, technologies, and driving characteristics.
The national manufacturing also allows you to respond more quickly to the needs of the dealers, and keep a more constant supply for the brazilian customers.
Matheus Pereira, CEO of BMW Motorrad Brazil, pointed out that the industrial presence of the company has been fundamental to strengthening their business results and provide greater predictability to the distribution network.
BMW F 450 GS: a motorcycle that looks to the future
The evolution of BMW Motorrad Manaus not limited to the models that are currently out of their production lines.
The company also develops tests with brazilian clients of the prototype BMW F 450 GS, a bike that seeks to identify the specifications and features that are more suited to the needs of the local market.
This process allows you to gather information directly from the users and consider their preferences during the development of the product.
The participation of motorcyclists brazilian reflects the importance of BMW Motorrad grants to adapt their models to the actual conditions of use of each market.
A special edition of the BMW R 1300 GS Adventure to celebrate the anniversary
As part of the celebrations, BMW Motorrad presented a commemorative version of one of their models more representative: the BMW R 1300 GS Adventure Special Edition 10.Anniversary.
This is an exclusive series limited to only ten motorcycles, developed to pay tribute to the career of the factory in Manaus.
The edition incorporates elements of customization specific to different parts of the motorcycle, including the fuel tank, side panels, the protections of the engine, the trunk, upper and side bags.
These modifications were defined considering the views of customers and dealers, with the aim of creating a distinctive version for the celebration.
In addition, the motorcycle comes standard with the Assistant of Automatic Change (ASA), a technology developed to give more comfort while driving through the automation of the drive clutch and, when you select the corresponding mode, the gear changes.
With a production limited to ten units, this R 1300 GS Adventure commemorative represents one of the symbols most exclusive of the anniversary.
The local talent behind the production of BMW Motorrad
Beyond facilities and industrial processes, one of the factors that explain the continuity of BMW Motorrad Manaus is the experience of its workers.
According to the company, the 32% of the members of its workforce working in the factory since its opening in 2016 or even before that.
This permanence has contributed to the retention of expertise and develop a culture of production based on the accuracy and continuous improvement.
BMW Motorrad also maintains professional training programs that include academic scholarships, language courses, supports for MBA studies and development opportunities for apprentices and students in practice.
These initiatives add up mentoring programs, leadership training, and access to international platforms of learning of the BMW Group.
The goal is to strengthen the skills of the local teams, and prepare them for the challenges posed by the technological transformation of the industry.
Education and social development in the amazon region
The presence of BMW Motorrad in Manaus is also linked with educational initiatives and community development.
One of them is the BRIDGE. Educating youth for tomorrow, today, a program powered by the BMW Group in collaboration with UNICEF.
The initiative seeks to strengthen the skills STEAM —science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics— among children and adolescents in situations of vulnerability.
The project integrates knowledge of digital literacy, robotics and planning for the future professional, with the purpose of broadening the educational and employment opportunities.
According to figures shared by BMW, BRIDGE has helped to train more than 10 thousand educators and generate opportunities for approximately 330 thousand young people at the international level.
In Brazil, the program has a presence in Amazonas, Maranhão and São Paulo.
On the other hand, the factory Manaus participates in the free trade Zone Open Doors, developed in collaboration with Suframa, through which students of technical schools and universities can meet the industrial processes of the plant.
They also organize tours for clients and fans interested in finding out how to make the BMW motorcycles in brazilian territory.
Innovation, digitalisation and sustainability: the challenges ahead
After ten years of operation, BMW Motorrad Manaus prepares for a new phase of industrial development.
Among its priorities include the incorporation of manufacturing technologies more advanced, the digitalisation of processes and the strengthening of practices aimed at sustainable production.
Alex Donatti, director of the factory in Manaus, stressed that the anniversary not only represents an opportunity to recognize the achievements, but also to lay the groundwork for the next decade.
The manager stressed the capacity of the brazilian team in order to comply with the international quality standards of BMW Motorrad, the time that fosters new opportunities for innovation and professional development.
The strategy seeks to maintain the competitiveness of the facilities and to strengthen their participation in the productive structure of the international company.
Ten years to consolidate the global presence of BMW Motorrad
The tenth anniversary of BMW Motorrad Manaus represents much more than a celebration of industry.
150 thousand motorcycles produced, the diversification of their catalogue and the incorporation of new technologies show how an operation regional can become a strategic component of an international brand.
The factory also demonstrates the importance of combining engineering, talent development and knowledge of the market to respond to the needs of motorcyclists.
With the exclusive BMW R 1300 GS Adventure anniversary and testing of new models like the F 450 GS, BMW Motorrad reaffirms its intention to continue to evolve in Brazil.
A decade after its inauguration, Manaus represents not only an important center of manufacturing for BMW Motorrad, but also a platform from which the brand prepares the next chapter of its history in Latin America.
Source: BMW Group