BMW Ultimate Drive app

Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic

BMW have used something called "crowd sourcing" in their latest iPhone and Android app, its a directory of great drives near to where you are, it's free from the iTunes app store or Android marketplace.
Press release:

BMW Group Financial Services Creates "The Ultimate Drive" Mobile App – Provides Social and Mobile Experience for Customers and Gamers Alike

Industry-First in Social Navigation Leverages New Communication Channels for BMW Financial Services' Customers While Driving Brand Loyalty

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – August 10, 2011 – The age of "gamification" has come, and BMW Group Financial Services is bringing this social nuance to its customer base of nearly 1 million individuals. Beginning with the development of a new and unique mobile and social experience, "The Ultimate Drive," is a social navigation mobile app that allows users to not only discover the best roads to drive in over 50 countries, but to rank, comment and share those roads via Facebook, email or other GPS devices. Future versions will integrate the ability for BMW Financial Service customers to gain points and achieve high rankings. As the first automotive channel, and specifically captive finance organization, to create a branded social navigation tool, BMW Group Financial Services defines itself as a consistent touch point with customers, through an engaging and interactive means.

"As a company, we pride ourselves on our ongoing uses of technology to build stronger relationships with our customers," said Ed Robinson, President and CEO for BMW Group Financial Services. "Not only does 'The Ultimate Drive' app allow us to broaden our awareness as an organization to a vast audience, but more so, it provides us the ability to nurture a two-way dialogue with our customers in an engaging way."

According to Pawan Murthy, General Manager of Online Business for BMW Group Financial Services, "The Ultimate Drive" is an example of how a captive financial services company can use mobile and social strategies as a consistent touch-point to customers while fostering a connection with BMW vehicles and the global BMW brand.

"A social app succeeds when it forms a community of users with similar interests. A mobile app succeeds when it shrinks that large community into something local and familiar," said Murthy. "Within a few seconds of opening the app, 'The Ultimate Drive' connects you to driving enthusiasts who have discovered great roads in your neighborhood – roads you may have overlooked. Sharing that joy of discovery is why we are eager to launch this app to everyone."

San Francisco-based software and technology firm, SocialNav, Inc., developed the technology that powers "The Ultimate Drive". "We've found that the success of applications like 'The Ultimate Drive' is built on organic growth amongst friends and enthusiasts with similar profiles," said Daniel Pifko, CEO and Co-Founder of SocialNav. "BMW Financial Services is an exceptional partner because it is at the forefront of using smartphones to improve the driving experience. We're excited about the relationship and have great ideas for many more things to come."

While utilizing the latest in navigation technology, "The Ultimate Drive" still remains simple in nature and nearly effortless to use to its full potential – after downloading the app, the user allows the app to find their location and then it displays the stretches of road which others have contributed as the best ones in the area. Conversely, when the user has generated their own favorite stretch, it is as easy as three taps to share via email or Facebook or send to one's favorite GPS device or app.

"The Ultimate Drive" is available for both iOS and Android devices. It can be downloaded for free from Apple's App Store and the Android Marketplace and is meant to broaden the social community around driving.

BMW Group Financial Services is currently developing similar versions for its MINI Motoring and BMW Motorrad brands, and will be extending all applications for its financial service customers in the near future.

Edited by dteagles - 12 Aug 2011 at 10:27am

Author	Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic
dteagles Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Club Member Joined: 09 May 2007 Location: UK, Bucks Status: Offline Points: 3476	Post Options Post Reply Quote dteagles Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: BMW Ultimate Drive app Posted: 12 Aug 2011 at 10:21am
	BMW have used something called "crowd sourcing" in their latest iPhone and Android app, its a directory of great drives near to where you are, it's free from the iTunes app store or Android marketplace. Press release: BMW Group Financial Services Creates "The Ultimate Drive" Mobile App – Provides Social and Mobile Experience for Customers and Gamers Alike Industry-First in Social Navigation Leverages New Communication Channels for BMW Financial Services' Customers While Driving Brand Loyalty Woodcliff Lake, NJ – August 10, 2011 – The age of "gamification" has come, and BMW Group Financial Services is bringing this social nuance to its customer base of nearly 1 million individuals. Beginning with the development of a new and unique mobile and social experience, "The Ultimate Drive," is a social navigation mobile app that allows users to not only discover the best roads to drive in over 50 countries, but to rank, comment and share those roads via Facebook, email or other GPS devices. Future versions will integrate the ability for BMW Financial Service customers to gain points and achieve high rankings. As the first automotive channel, and specifically captive finance organization, to create a branded social navigation tool, BMW Group Financial Services defines itself as a consistent touch point with customers, through an engaging and interactive means. "As a company, we pride ourselves on our ongoing uses of technology to build stronger relationships with our customers," said Ed Robinson, President and CEO for BMW Group Financial Services. "Not only does 'The Ultimate Drive' app allow us to broaden our awareness as an organization to a vast audience, but more so, it provides us the ability to nurture a two-way dialogue with our customers in an engaging way." According to Pawan Murthy, General Manager of Online Business for BMW Group Financial Services, "The Ultimate Drive" is an example of how a captive financial services company can use mobile and social strategies as a consistent touch-point to customers while fostering a connection with BMW vehicles and the global BMW brand. "A social app succeeds when it forms a community of users with similar interests. A mobile app succeeds when it shrinks that large community into something local and familiar," said Murthy. "Within a few seconds of opening the app, 'The Ultimate Drive' connects you to driving enthusiasts who have discovered great roads in your neighborhood – roads you may have overlooked. Sharing that joy of discovery is why we are eager to launch this app to everyone." San Francisco-based software and technology firm, SocialNav, Inc., developed the technology that powers "The Ultimate Drive". "We've found that the success of applications like 'The Ultimate Drive' is built on organic growth amongst friends and enthusiasts with similar profiles," said Daniel Pifko, CEO and Co-Founder of SocialNav. "BMW Financial Services is an exceptional partner because it is at the forefront of using smartphones to improve the driving experience. We're excited about the relationship and have great ideas for many more things to come." While utilizing the latest in navigation technology, "The Ultimate Drive" still remains simple in nature and nearly effortless to use to its full potential – after downloading the app, the user allows the app to find their location and then it displays the stretches of road which others have contributed as the best ones in the area. Conversely, when the user has generated their own favorite stretch, it is as easy as three taps to share via email or Facebook or send to one's favorite GPS device or app. "The Ultimate Drive" is available for both iOS and Android devices. It can be downloaded for free from Apple's App Store and the Android Marketplace and is meant to broaden the social community around driving. BMW Group Financial Services is currently developing similar versions for its MINI Motoring and BMW Motorrad brands, and will be extending all applications for its financial service customers in the near future. Edited by dteagles - 12 Aug 2011 at 10:27am
	Think about what you can do for the club, not what it can do for you...

Sponsored Links

Mike Fishwick Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Member Joined: 04 Aug 2006 Location: France Status: Offline Points: 2753	Post Options Post Reply Quote Mike Fishwick Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 12 Aug 2011 at 10:51am
	An absolutely wonderful example of BMWSpeak - the only bit I understood was: 'Allows users to not only discover the best roads to drive in over 50 countries' I guess it really means that BMW are now making so much money that they can throw it at people such as Ed Robinson, President and CEO for BMW Group Financial Services, who clearly has nothing better to do. It must make the people who built BMW up from nothing - five times - such as Franz Popp and Herbert Quandt turn in their graves. Edited by Mike Fishwick - 12 Aug 2011 at 10:52am

safe1 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Club Member BMWCC Club President Joined: 09 Aug 2006 Status: Offline Points: 1426	Post Options Post Reply Quote safe1 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 12 Aug 2011 at 6:45pm
	NO!!!!!!!!!!!! This IS BMW NA speak----which is on another planet from this Earth--- I would think that CCA and MOA members would ask "which galaxy" these flyers are on?.
	Gofastsafe

Cabrio Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Register Chair E30 Register & Competition Secretary Joined: 24 Aug 2006 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 6625	Post Options Post Reply Quote Cabrio Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 12 Aug 2011 at 10:13pm
	VERY
	E30 Register joint coordinator - Competition Secretary - Contact name Neil for PM and Email - cabrio_e30@yahoo.co.uk - be aware addicted to E numbers

dteagles Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Club Member Joined: 09 May 2007 Location: UK, Bucks Status: Offline Points: 3476	Post Options Post Reply Quote dteagles Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 12 Aug 2011 at 10:14pm
	But the app works well even if the press release is rubbish!
	Think about what you can do for the club, not what it can do for you...

Jon Corry Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Club Member Joined: 07 Jan 2011 Status: Offline Points: 69	Post Options Post Reply Quote Jon Corry Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 17 Aug 2011 at 10:09am
	It's a good app, just chucked a couple of routes on. Highland and Island starting in Fort William and taking in Skye an also from just south of Broadford on Skye to Shiel Bridge via the Glenelg ferry.
	E46 M3 Coupe E53 X5 3.0d Sport www.numberonehillside.co.uk www.tornacarry.co.uk