The BMW Group Korea inaugurated the BMW Group R&D Center Korea on April 22 in the Cheongna International City district of Incheon. (Image provided by BMW Korea)
INCHEON, Apr. 22 (Korea Bizwire) –A new research and development center for the German automaker BMW has opened its doors in Incheon, South Korea, underscoring the company’s commitment to one of its most crucial global markets.
The BMW Group Korea inaugurated the BMW Group R&D Center Korea on April 22 in the Cheongna International City district of Incheon. The facility had previously been operating on a smaller scale within BMW’s Driving Center in Incheon since 2015.
However, BMW executives who visited South Korea in 2019 unveiled plans to expand the country’s R&D operations. BMW Group Korea then signed a memorandum of understanding with the city of Incheon and the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority in December 2021 to establish a new, larger center.
Construction on the new 2,813-square-meter single-story building, situated on a 5,296-square-meter site within the Cheongna IHP Urban High-tech Industry Complex began in April 2023. It was completed just 11 months later, this past March.
The opening ceremony drew top BMW Group executives from Germany, including Jochen Goller, member of the board of management responsible for customer, brands and sales; Jean-Philippe Parain, senior vice president for Asia-Pacific, Middle East, Africa and Eastern Europe; and Daniel Bottger, senior vice president for vehicle integration. Their presence highlighted the significance of the South Korean market for the company.
Also in attendance were Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok, Yoon Won-seok, the incoming member of the National Assembly representing Incheon’s Seo District, and Lee Yong-woo, president of the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority.
The new R&D hub will house around 50 employees focused on certifying vehicles imported into South Korea and supporting product development. It features not just office space but also repair and testing labs, certification testing facilities, and a charging test area for electric vehicles.
Plans are underway for the center to collaborate with domestic companies, research institutes and universities on developing navigation systems, voice recognition software, user interface prototypes and more.
BMW’s new 5 series sedan displayed during the new model’s launching event held at the BMW Driving Center on Yeongjong Island, Incheon, west of Seoul, on Sept. 5, 2023. (Image courtesy of reporter Yim Seong-ho at Yonhap News)
As one of BMW Group’s top five global markets, South Korea will be a key focus for optimizing vehicles and mobility solutions. A top priority is conducting comprehensive tests to ensure new models fully comply with local regulations before being released. Within the next three to four years, the center aims to handle all certification testing in-house.
The facility will also play a critical role in product development by establishing maintenance and testing procedures for pre-production prototype vehicles to enhance quality and performance. Closer cooperation with South Korean suppliers on joint development projects is also on the agenda.
The center will house a BMW Technology Office dedicated to facilitating partnerships with local technology firms. It will also be home to a BMW Startup Garage — one of just six worldwide — that supports tech startups looking to advance automotive technologies or expand their business footprint. These garage spaces already operate in Germany, the United States, China, Israel and Japan.
Last year alone, BMW Group purchased 6.5 trillion won worth of components from South Korean suppliers, continuing an upward trend that has seen cumulative purchases reach over 30 trillion won since 2010.
“As Korea was our fifth-largest market worldwide last year, we will continue to invest [here] to provide our Korean customers with even better products and services,” said Jochen Goller at the opening ceremony.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
