BMW Wants You To Join In at the Web

2008 BMW 1-Series

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Web 2.0 tools are everywhere - MySpace, Facebook, and we think, in the offing somewhere around here at TheCarConnection.com. Now, BMW is turning to the latest ‘Net ideas to grow its own home page.

BMW’s U.S. site, www.BMWUSA.com, has undergone a big transformation that BMW says gives its users the means to configure its cars in a staggering 130 million different ways, all while integrating online tools that will encourage BMW fans to stay on the site, talk to each other, and swap information.

Eventually, BMW says, the site will also integrate services from BMW Assist (their flavor of OnStar) and from the company’s financial services arm. In other words, one day soon you might be able to go online at the BMW site to research and buy your BMW, get a loan for it, get information for road trips and schedule a service call.

BMW also promises the new version of the site will let users leave comments and ratings, all in the effort to “develop a vibrant online community among BMW enthusiasts.”

"Our relationship with our customers is of the ultimate importance to us here at BMW. Our new website is a reflection of that," said Jack Pitney, Vice President of Marketing, BMW of North America. "Today, a website can't just be a static, generic round-up of information. We know that to be valued by our customers — and our potential customers — we need to work hard to provide them the information they want and need, and nothing that they don't."

While BMW isn’t the first manufacturer Web site to take on the challenges of Web 2.0 — Scion pioneered in that respect — it’s notable among luxury brands in adopting the new features to its Web site. BMW also recently announced that its drivers would be able to use Google to send destinations to their cars’ navigation systems.

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