Fri, 30 Jan 2004

BMW launches new program to satisfy customers satisfaction

Primastuti Handayani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

In a bid to meet its commitment to satisfy consumers, PT BMW Indonesia launched the BMW Service Inclusive Program for any purchase of 2004 models from the 3 Series, 5 Series, 7 Series, X5 and Z4.

The program offers free service and maintenance to BMW owners for the first five years of ownership or 100,000 kilometers, which ever comes first. BMW believes that the introduction of the program will encourage a a higher standard of after-sales service for the premium segment in Indonesia.

"The Service Inclusive Program is complimentary with the current two-year unlimited-kilometer warranty for BMW owners. Customers will benefit from this program," said PT BMW Indonesia financial director Bernhard Peltner during the launch of the program.

The program comprises of maintenance work and service as well as the replacement of worn-out parts with genuine BMW parts. It also includes routine oil change, vehicle checks and other standard services and service or replacement of air filters, microfilters, spark plugs, brake fluid, brake pads, brake disc, clutch and windshield-wiper blades.

PT BMW Indonesia head of sales Harald Meyer said that customers would not be charged an additional fee for the service.

"The program is included in the purchase package, it is already covered," he said.

Meyer also said that although dealers had different promotional strategies these would eventually be replaced with the Service Inclusive Program provided by BMW group.

Since 1982, BMW has gradually made the change from the Periodic Maintenance Service to the Service Interval Display. From 2001, the condition of each component in the car, as well as oil and fluid, have been monitored individually.

Using the Condition Based Service, which relies on a monitor installed on each car's dashboard, customers can check which part of the car needs service.

Starting this year, BMW has also increased the price of its vehicles' by 2.5 percent due to the strengthening Euro.

"From last August (up until) this month, the Euro strengthened by up to 10 percent. That really influenced our business. That's why we have to increase the price," Meyer said.

Meyer was confident that BMW sales would be stable this year but set no sales target. Last year, BMW distributed 2,149 units of cars, an increase of 7 percent from 2002.