In an interview at the Toronto International Auto Show this week, BMW Canada’s CEO Franz Jung shared some of his thoughts and insights with BMWBlog reporter Shawn Molnar.  In that interview, it is exciting to see his vision for the future; with a priority of maintaining BMW’s leadership of the premium vehicle segment and the commitment to the advancing of automotive technologies.  We have posted a few excerpts from that interview here.

(Excerpts from BMWBlog post.  To view the full article with photos click here)

Franz Jung, President and C.E.O. of BMW Canada

BMWBLOG: What are BMW Canada’s goals for the future?

Franz Jung: We are now growing here for 19 years in a row, and for 7 consecutive years we are leading the premium segment. So the number one goal must be to maintain that function and that position. The second goal is to bring new technologies into this market as fast as possible, as early as they’re available. Like diesel engines – high performance diesel engines with low fuel consumption. Electric cars when they are coming, etc, etc.

BMWBLOG: Can our Canadian readers expect to see more BMW Diesel products in the future?

Franz  Jung: Diesel has a trend, a strong trend. Our task is to explain to Canadians that a diesel is not a diesel. There are so many different ways of doing diesel engines, and we believe that we do have the best answer to that. Especially when it comes for example to the 335’s diesel, the engine has won a lot of awards all around the world. It’s seen as the best diesel engine in that segment. Our goal is to present diesels that are stronger and more precise that will be successful in Canada.

BMWBLOG: How would you propose to convince Canadians of the enjoyable drive a diesel can offer?

Franz Jung: Well, go to the dealer, ask for a test drive – and drive.

BMWBLOG: In a country where cities are spread far apart, drivers travel greater distances. Which Efficient Dynamics technology (among Hybrid, Electric, Diesel or Hydrogen drive) would best suit our Canadian landscape now and in the future?

Franz Jung: This is a little bit of a difficult question. We believe that a combination of a hybrid electric and a diesel engine would be the best answer to that. You have low fuel consumption and low CO2 emissions in cities and you can use them over a longer distance than other alternatives. So a combination, a package – I would recommend a package.

BMWBLOG: Very much like the Vision package?
Franz Jung: Yes, exactly like that.

BMWBLOG: Tell us more about BMW Canada’s new headquarters in Richmond Hill.

Franz Jung: Well, for me it’s good because it’s closer to my house [laughs]. The new offices, they fit perfectly well to our needs. We have new offices in a “green building” filling all the standards you have for green technology in terms of construction. We have three floors and we are together with our friends from financial services. We move in next month and all will be good.

(These have been excerpts from the BMWBlog post “BMWBLOG Interviews Franz Jung, President and C.E.O. of BMW Canada”.  To view the full article with photos click here)

By: Shawn Molnar

From: BMW Blog

Posted on: 15.02.2010