BMW BLOG

09.07.2008 Munich / Moscow.

Here is what Never Stand Still event really was. Just a simple BMW 7 Series presentation, which was honored even by the BMW Chief Designer, Chris Bangle. I was a little disappointed with the whole fuss around this Never-Stand-Still and I really expected to see something interesting there.

Press Release

With an exceptional vehicle presentation on the Red Square in Moscow (Russia) on 8 July 2008 the BMW Group started a countdown for the European launch of the new BMW 7 Series, which will happen in the autumn of this year. Under the slogan "Never stand still" the world's most successful manufacturers of automobiles in the premium segment had built an almost twelve metre high hourglass ahead of the historical background of the Basil's Cathedral and the Kremlin. With the world's largest hourglass BMW presented its new flagship to about 400 international guests and Moscow citizens.

Success as a driving force

The hourglass has been present on the Red Square since the 6th July 2008. In the top half of the construction of acrylic glass and steel the new BMW 7 Series is parked – initially hidden by more than 180,000 shiny silver balls. The ball gradually fell into the lower zone, and finally as the peak of the event on Tuesday evening, the new BMW 7 Series was fully revealed. "With the new generation of the BMW 7 Series our success story continues, and it has lasted for more than 30 years now," said Jan-Christiaan Koenders, head of brand communication and BMW Group Marketing Services. "A goal to surpass our own achievements again and again is the essence of our brand. The BMW 7 Series reflects this idea exceptionally well," said Koenders, explaining the idea behind the event's motto "Never stand still".

The past achievements as a starting point for the better achievements in the future – this guiding principle drives the artists performing at the vehicle presentation. These included, for example, international artists such as the Ballet dancers Mark Peretokin and Ilze Liepa by the renowned Bolshoi Theater, the Star-conductor Yuri Bashmet with orchestra and the singer Adele. Despite the fact all these artists are already at the top of their fields today, they strive to develop themselves continuously.

Dynamic metropolis

"Moscow shows an exceptionally dynamic development. Also for the BMW Group, the metropolis and Russia have a special significance," says Christian Kremer, head of Russia distribution company of the BMW Group. "The Russian market plays for us an increasingly important role. Today's presentation shows the confidence of the BMW Group in the potential of the country." The carmaker is already since 1993 in the world's largest land-represented state since 1999, with its own distribution company. By the end of the year 2008, the dealer network will grow to 63 dealers in 47 cities.

BMW Group is present in all major Russian cities. The economic growth of the country is also reflected in rising sales figures for the BMW Group. "Sales of the brands BMW and MINI increased for 33.4 percent in the first six months compared to the previous year. Our goal is to awake more enthusiasm for all brands of the BMW Group in Russia. Exclusive vehicle presentations, such as that one of the new BMW 7 Series in Moscow, are a key to this, "said Kremer.

Source: BMW AG