MUNICH, Germany, Dec. 15, 2005 – Intel Corporation and the BMW
Group today announced a comprehensive partnership that includes
technology, co-marketing and Intel’s sponsorship of the BMW Sauber F1
Team. As part of this agreement, Intel technology will be deployed
throughout the BMW Group and its worldwide dealer network, and Intel
will become “Official Corporate Partner” of the BMW Sauber F1 Team. BMW
purchased the Sauber team in June 2005.
Under the multi-year agreement and long-term technology partnership,
Intel will support BMW in standardizing the IT infrastructure in the
worldwide BMW Group data centers and in providing more than 3,000
dealers worldwide with innovative IT solutions. To support the
expanding mobility of its staff, the BMW Group will also convert its
corporate notebooks to Intel® Centrino® mobile technology-based systems
and significantly increase the use of Intel-based PDAs within the
company.
The two companies have also agreed to develop an industry
specification that would allow for seamless integration of third-party
devices (including phones and portable music players) into BMW vehicles.
“This comprehensive agreement brings together two of the most
admired and innovative brands in the world,” said Eric Kim, Intel
senior vice president and chief marketing officer. “Intel’s technology
and BMW’s prowess in the automotive sector are a powerful combination.
Intel and BMW intend to collaborate heavily on the IT technology and
marketing side as our brands are very synergistic. With Intel as
Official Corporate Partner of the BMW Sauber F1 Team, the Intel brand
will reach hundreds of millions of passionate fans worldwide each year
– fans who appreciate the critical role that technology plays in
Formula One. Intel will infuse the BMW Sauber F1 Team with its
technology – technology that we believe will support the team’s
performance.”
Prof. Dr. Burkhard Göschel, BMW Group board member for purchasing
and development, noted: “Like the BMW Group, Intel also sets the
highest standards of performance, innovation and quality for its
products. For both companies, technological leadership is a fundamental
goal. Our methods of systematically turning ideas into innovative
products will be excellently supported and complemented by Intel’s
innovative technology and highly efficient solutions. This partnership
stands to benefit our IT, our customers and our Formula One team.”
“Formula One,” added BMW Motorsport Director Prof. Dr. Mario
Theissen, “is a high-tech discipline. It demands the control and
coordination of hundreds of parameters simultaneously and the precise
execution of every step. Cutting-edge technology is a crucial success
factor, and BMW has accepted the challenge. We are delighted that a
strong partner such as Intel has done likewise in collaboration with
us.”
The BMW Sauber F1 Team and its new partners will present the new team in Valencia, Spain from Jan. 16 to 17.
News Source: Intel Press Release
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