Story: Ralph Morton

The Olympic flame standard of BMW residual values won’t be blown out by London 2012.

BMW has reassured small businesses and SME firms who buy their business cars that the BMW Group fleet of cars provided for London 2012 won’t have a debilitating effect on the residual values of the cars – from both the BMW and MINI brands.

At the company’s Westminster dealership in London today,  BMW marketing manager Chris Brownridge – a former BMW fleet boss, too – announced the details of the company’s support of LOGOC (The London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games) and the London 2012 in its role as Official Automotive Partner to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The BMW Group will supply 3200 vehicles – an additional 800 Citroen MPVs will also be included – “We don’t make an MPV, so we were not in a position to supply such a vehicle, but we are grateful to Citroen for their support,” said Brownridge – on a lease and return basis.

However, the fear among many SMEs is that – post September – a glut of BMW Group models will enter the remarketing arena, which will depress values, and cost businesses money.

However, Brownridge assured business owners this was not the case – and that BMW residual values would run the course of London 2012, and beyond the finishing tape.

“They will be managed through the dealer and BMW network, so we won’t see any significant dip in residual values,” Brownridge told Business Car Manager. “It’s something that we have planned for as part of our partnership with LOCOG and London 2012.”

Corporate operations manager, Steve Chater, added that of the 3200 fleet, 200 were electric vehicles that would be retained by BMW.

“We recognise the issue – 3000 vehicles is a big number to remarket – but we have a big footprint in  the UK, both with our supply to associated companies and our employee and management vehicles,” commented Chater.

“We have been adjusting the mileage and terms of all these current BMW Group fleets vehicles so that we smooth the process of the London 2012 fleet entering the market. We shall also be using many of the cars for fleet demonstrators too, so the cars will be utilised in different ways to ensure there is no glut.”

Chater said that BMW had also worked hard to ensure no impact on customer delivery times. “The factory has been involved on a global scale to ensure production continuity so that both our SME small fleet customers, and those on the small business BMW/MINI Partnership programme, feel no adverse affect from the supply to LOGOC.”

Chater added that the London 2012 BMW Group fleet would be the greatest number of Euro VI emission standard vehicles in the country.

Although the standard has no effect on company car tax, Euro VI is the next step for exhaust emissions which drastically reduces the levels of nitrous oxides that can be emitted by both company cars and private cars. If you are a business car manager, the specification comes into force from 2014.

• Also read the blog BMW’s Steve Chater waks the talk

The BMW Group London 2012 fleet

BMW 1 Series ActiveE (EV)

• Number in fleet: 160
• 170hp / Zero tailpipe emissions
• Usage includes: Games time talent shuttle transporting athletes within the Olympic Park and also available for use by broadcasters. Venue pool cars for operational usage and supporting the Olympic Torch Relay.
• Showcase for new charging infrastructure in London; 120 new ‘high speed’ charge points installed in five key locations in London with the first being installed at ExCeL London.

MINI E (Electric Vehicle)

• Number in fleet: 40
• 204hp / Zero tailpipe emissions
• Usage includes: Venue pool cars for operational usage and supporting the Olympic Torch Relay.

MINI Countryman Cooper D

• Number in fleet: 200
• 112hp / 115g/km CO2 / 64.2mpg
• Usage includes: ‘On demand’ service (a walk up taxi rank) at key locations such as London Heathrow and IOC Hotels as well as providing request for transport services where clients contact a call centre and book the service in advance.

BMW 320d Efficient Dynamics

• Number in fleet: 1,550
• 163hp / 109g/km CO2 / 68.9mpg
• Usage includes: Main command car for Olympic Torch Relay, official vehicles for cycling events (race doctor, commissionaires, lead car, neutral service, route management). Will also be used by the 67 Technical Delegates who are responsible for approve the Field of Play and competition set up in accordance with the IF rules.

BMW 520d Efficient Dynamics

• Number in fleet: 700
• 119g/km CO2 / 62.8mpg
• Usage includes: Vehicle transfer and shuttle role.

BMW 5 Series Active Hybrid

• Number in fleet: 20
• 149g/km CO2 / 44.1mpg
• Usage includes: Vehicle transfer and shuttle role.

BMW X3 xDrive 20d

• Number in fleet: 17
• 147g/km CO2/ 50.4mpg
• Usage includes: Specialist role of towing boats at sailing and rowing venues as well as playing a supporting role in the Olympic Torch Relay.

BMW X5 xDrive 30d

• Number in fleet: 10
• 195g/km CO2 / 38.2mpg
• Usage includes: Specialist role of towing horse ambulances at equestrian events as well as providing on-course support.

R1200 RT Motorcycle

• Number in fleet: 25 (Total number of motorcycles including F650GS, R1200GS, R1200RT)
• Usage includes: Key support roles in road based events including cycling.

BMW Streetcruiser Bicycles

• Number in fleet: 400
• Usage includes: Operational support for water-based sports including rowing – for use by team coaches and officials following races.