Performance Motors Ltd (PML), a Sime Darby Motors company, and trusted authorised dealer of BMW cars and motorcycles in Singapore since 1979, proudly marks its 45th anniversary this year.

As it celebrates its illustrious heritage, PML will also be embarking on a transformative and expansion stage to deliver new levels of success as a trailblazer in the industry.

The company is making strategic investments in retail transformation, digitalisation, and the significant expansion of its service network across the nation to cement its position as the undisputed #1 BMW dealer in Singapore.

Underlying this is a firm commitment to championing sustainability practices.

“In an ever-changing and challenging industry, Performance Motors’ 45 years of partnership with BMW stands out for its longevity. Few dealerships in Singapore have maintained such an extensive and distinguished bond with their principal,” said Mr Jeffrey Gan, Managing Director of Sime Darby Motors in Southeast Asia.

“This speaks volumes about our shared dedication to bringing exceptional vehicles and unparalleled service to our customers. We look forward to Performance Motors and BMW continuing this journey of success for many more years to come.”

“We are delighted to celebrate 45 years of partnership with Performance Motors. This milestone underscores our unwavering commitment to elevate the ownership experience for customers and further strengthen BMW’s presence in Singapore,” added Mr Lars Nielsen, Managing Director of BMW Group Asia.

“As we look to the future, we are excited about the endless possibilities to deliver top-notch experiences to BMW fans and enthusiasts across Singapore.”

Central to its anniversary celebrations is the retail transformation of PML’s flagship showroom at 303 Alexandra Road. This renovation is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2024.

At almost 6,800 sqm, it will be the largest BMW Retail.Next showroom in Singapore once completed. The BMW Retail.Next concept emphasises a seamless blend of the phygital (physical and digital) space that prioritises customer-centric experiences.

It flows from the consultation stages to hospitality, and through to the purchasing and aftersales processes. In addition, the fitting out of the new PML
showroom will adhere to Sime Darby’s Responsible Sourcing Policy and BMW sustainability standards.

While it is business as usual during the renovation period, PML has set up a 600sqm pop-up showroom at its East Coast Centre (Kampong Arang).

This expands on the idea of ‘Where Convenience Matters’, a PML promise that the retail experience is consistently exceptional regardless of the location.

PML will be using digitalisation to ensure personalised experiences for its customers. For example, customers at its showroom café will be able to order and have drinks and food served to their table via a QR ordering system.

It is also enhancing its mobile app to help time-starved customers with their after-sales servicing. They will be able to book service appointments, perform online check-in, and trigger the contactless key drop to let them drop off and collect their car keys from standalone kiosks at PML’s service centres.

A special highlight of the app is a breakfast menu through which customers can pre-select their preferred breakfast selection during online check-in and be served while comfortably seated in the customer lounge.

Separately, PML is exploring facial recognition capabilities to further enhance its processes and delivery of services.

PML has embarked on its most significant network expansion to date, with innovative services to further enhance the ownership experience of its BMW customers. The company recently inaugurated a new contactless service centre in Ubi to cater to its growing customer base in the north-east of Singapore.

The Ubi centre provides fuss-free key drop-off and collection, and after-hours servicing. It also offers complimentary green shuttle service, using electric vehicles, to nearby MRT stations, car pick-up and delivery, and airport transfer service.

Following the establishment of Ubi, PML recently opened its fourth service facility at Defu. The PML Defu Service Factory is a $3-million investment by PML that expands its aftersales ecosystem.

The 4,074 sqm space is a mechanical service factory with body shop capabilities. It incorporates a smart aftersales portal to digitalise and improve the workflow for PML technicians.

Together with the increased number of service bays, the PML Defu Service Factory is fully equipped to support the aftersales needs of the growing BMW customer base.

For embracing best practices in sustainability, PML was honoured with the overall grand prize at the Polaris Sustainability Awards by BMW Group Asia in 2023. It will continue to work with BMW to champion sustainable practices, as well as make green choices more accessible to its customers.

For example, PML will expand its outreach programme, such as the CEO Sustainability Challenge and electric vehicle workshops, to encourage more people to adopt electro-mobility.

This 45th anniversary year, there is another reason to celebrate as PML’s Green Initiative has reached its target of saving 1 million litres of water. The initiative involves getting customers to opt out of their complimentary car wash during the servicing of their cars.

Since its launch in mid-2023, the initiative has saved around 3,500 car washes. In addition, PML will once again work with NParks to Plant-a-Tree
for every 30 car washes saved this year.

“As Performance Motors turns 45, we are celebrating not only our legacy and heritage but also seizing the opportunity to build an even more
successful future, fuelled by our enduring partnership with BMW,” said Mr Lawrence Tan, Managing Director of PML.

“Today, customers choose Performance Motors because they trust us to deliver the finest BMW vehicles and the best ownership experience. By embarking on this transformative journey, we are ensuring that we continue to exceed every customer’s expectations.”

As the #1 BMW dealer in Singapore, we will continue to lead the way. We have only just begun!”

Photo Credits: Performance Motors Limited, Sime Darby Motors and BMW

Read more automotive news at AutoApp, or check out our latest videos on Ignition Labs TV and on TikTok!

McLaren Singapore recently hosted its local 60th-anniversary celebrations with the largest gathering of McLarens in the country.

The special event took place on May 26, 2023, at Gillman Barracks, and featured over 40 Mclaren models arranged in a ‘60’ formation’. Cars in the formation included models from the Ultimate Series such as the Senna, all the way to the latest hybrid Artura supercar.

After an eventful photo-taking session, the Mclaren owners were then treated to a nice dinner hosted at Hopscotch.

Bruce McLaren, a New Zealand-born racer and engineer, was the brainchild behind the supercar marque you see before you today. Mclaren was founded in 1963, and since its inception, the racing team based in England remains one of the world’s most successful names in motorsport. It is also the only brand with the coveted ‘Triple Crown of Motorsport” achievement under its belt.

What’s the triple crown achievement? Well, it’s motorsport’s ultimate popularity contest, covering the three single greatest motor racing challenges on the planet, as chosen by fans. These are the Indianapolis 500, the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Monaco Grand Prix.

Winners are very few and forever immortalised, and only one team has ever clinched this elusive award – Mclaren.

Mclaren’s 60th-anniversary festivities are set to continue across the remainder of 2023, with various owner-centric events in the works.

Read more automotive news at AutoApp, or check out our latest videos on Ignition Labs TV!

Just in case younger readers aren’t aware, one of Hyundai’s staples back in the day was the Pony and later the second generation which was aptly named Pony II. Both took their name from the Pony Coupe Concept from 1974.

The Pony Coupe Concept, which debuted at the 1974 Turin Motor Show, was designed by the then-young Giorgetto Giugiaro. Yes, THAT Giugiaro. So, it was only fitting that the restoration of this iconic concept was handled by Italian design firm GFG Style, headed by father and son team Giorgetto and Fabrizio Giugiaro, and shown off once again at the inaugural Hyundai Reunion at Villa Pliniana in Lake Como, Italy.

This reunion saw the coming together of former and present Hyundai designers and engineers.

Also at the reunion was Euisun Chung, Executive Chair of Hyundai Motor Group. “Despite the poor industrial environment in the 1970s, my grandfather and Hyundai’s Founding Chairman Ju-young Chung poured his heart and soul into rebuilding Korea’s economy and improving the lives of its people after the devastating Korean War. He finally realized his vision of making Korea a country capable of developing its own vehicles with perfection. I express my sincere gratitude to everyone from both Italy and Korea who played a critical role in the success of Pony,” he reminisced with gratitude.

When it was revealed at the 1974 Turin Motor Show, the Pony Coupe Concept was a hit with the crowds. Featuring a sleek roofline, sharp and angular shape and an interior which featured a driver-centric floating architecture, it was both dynamic-looking and sensible simultaneously. However, what could have been Hyundai’s first sports car was consigned to remaining in concept form only, dictated by the adverse global economic situation in the late 1970s.

However, not all is down. The Pony Coupe Concept is said to be “the greatest source of inspiration for the DeLorean DMC-12,” and can also be considered the father of the N Vision 74 Concept, which is set to compete in a concept car competition. More on the latter in the next article.

Read more automotive news at AutoApp, or check out our latest videos on Ignition Labs TV!

Taking place this weekend from 29th – 30th April, 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm, at their Alexandra Road showroom, Volvo will be hosting a series of workshops to suit guests of all ages.

For the young ones, a recycled car workshop enables them to create their very own cars out of recycled materials. If that doesn’t tickle their fancy, there will also be balloon sculpting, face painting and a bouncing castle for hours of enjoyment.

Not forgetting the adults too! Those with a sweet tooth and a craving for treats can indulge in making their very own chocolate treats at a chocolate bomb workshop. There is also a workshop to create your own car fragrance, which you can take home and enjoy.

Of course, you cannot have over 90 years of history without a gallery to showcase it all. Guests who are interested to know more about Volvo’s history over the decades are invited to stroll through the Swedish brand’s heritage gallery, which highlights Volvo’s safety milestones over the years.

In line with sustainability, the gallery is also constructed with a fully recyclable modular cardboard building system, consisting of compressed paper square bars and recyclable connectors.

“Volvo is excited to celebrate its birthday with our valued owners and their families, and thank them for getting us to where we are,” said Corinne Chua, Managing Director for Volvo, Wearnes Automotive.

“We wanted to create a fun, interactive and educational event that everyone can enjoy. And by introducing children to the recycled car workshop, as well as exploring creative yet eco-friendly construction methods, we hope to instil in them the important concepts of recycling and upcycling, inspiring a new generation of eco-conscious individuals who will strive to reduce waste and create a more sustainable future.”

The event is open to both Volvo car owners and the general public. Visitors are encouraged to register in advance to secure a workshop time slot. See you there!

For those who are interested, you may sign up with this highlighted text.

Read more automotive news at AutoApp, or check out our latest videos on Ignition Labs TV!