PESTLE Analysis of BMW: Shaping the automotive industry (2024)

In this PESTLE analysis of BMW, you’ll learn many critical factors that have led to the success of the BMW corporation. Each factor falls under one or more of the macro environmental influences related to the PESTLE framework. Specifically, you’ll learn…

  • Who BMW is most likely to compete with?
  • Where BMW Group has allocated funds for lobbying?
  • How the company reaches and reacts to audiences around the world?
  • And what futuristic technology is working on right at this moment?

This is only the beginning of the information you’ll find in this PESTLE analysis of BMW. Let’s get started.

Before you begin: What is PESTLE analysis?

Contents

Political factors: Adapting to carbon emission regulations

BMW Group is affected by common political influences, such as the introduction of new policies, regulations, and political corruption. But unlikes smaller corporations, BMW Group has an intense amount of funds, profits, and brand image. This means it can influence policies for the growth of the company.

BMW Group is powered by more than 15 production companies worldwide. The manufacturing is efficient, but can also be halted by policies and regulations, like the end-of-life vehicle recycling system.

Additionally, political instability affects BMW Group is in two ways: First, it can affect consumers’ ability to buy or change buying patterns directly. This is a concern in specific countries like Brazil, China, and Russia. And second, if BMW has invested in countries with political instability, those investments may be at risk.

BMW Group has also allocated funds to influence political factors in favor of the company. One such incident pertains to Europe, where BMW lobbied to slow down European plans to increase fuel efficiency in cars by putting a stricter limit on carbon emissions.

The company also emphasized its inclusion of greener technologies by developing the first common use of hydrogen passenger car. This car was developed because Europe taxes cars that heavily produce pollution.

Economic factors: A quiet fear of tariffs and currency fluctuations

Several years ago, BMW Group topped the list for most reputable company. Now it consistently battles Toyota for the title. Who takes first place between the two depends on valuation. Back in 2012 BMW’s value hit a 10 percent increase while Toyota’s value fell by 10 percent.

Global economy fluctuations also affect BMW’s performance, valuation, and profits. Specific regions, like Europe, can have a massive impact on the company’s success. And over the last few years the GDP has fluctuated. Fluctuations make it difficult for BMW Group to speculate profits and losses in the coming year since the currency is so volatile.

Tariffs are also impactful to BMW. It’s possible to build a BMW in Mexico and sell it to Europe without a tariff. However, if you build a BMW in the United States and then sell it to Europe, the company suffers a 10 percent tariff.

Despite this quiet fear, BMW will be investing $600 million in a South Carolina plant. Tariffs increase the costs for necessary vehicle parts, such as steel and aluminum. South Carolina important more than $500 million worth of steel and aluminium in 2017 — with tariffs the cost will increase over $106 million. This will likely eat at BMW’s profits.

Social factors: Heavy R&D meets millions of social media followers

All countries have cultural differences that are unique to the country. This means BMW Group must adjust products and marketing to fit the people it sells to. This requires adaptation to each market; using a one-size fit all approach won’t yield results.

BMW has manufacturing companies all over the world including China, South Africa, and Austria. The company chooses the location of these plants based on heavy research and development. This requires not only understanding who the consumers are and why they buy, but also the political and economic landscape.

A part of knowing and using this knowledge involves the integration of social media. BMW has social media pages on all the major platforms. On Facebook it has over 13 million fans and posts daily updates and entertaining images to provoke engagement from followers.

Twitter is where the company often responds to customer inquiries, comments, and complaints. Although it doesn’t seem to have a dedicated customer service section to help people on a consistent basis, someone does respond to followers when necessary.

Instagram is an easy choice for any car manufacturer. BMW boasts nearly 20 million followers and a feed of dazzling photos of their cars in various luxury locations. It’s a simple way to showcase BMW’s lavish lifestyle to the younger audiences that frequent Instagram.

Technological factors: The newest luxury gadgets

With so much competition in the automotive industry, the only way for any car brand to stand out is through innovation and adaptation. This involves adapting the newest technology into each car — everything from the latest parts to leisure options like Bluetooth, WiFi, and more. Considering BMW is known for its luxury, the company can’t afford to skip out on these “leisure” options because consumers have come to expect them.

BMW Group also prides itself on innovation and mobility. The cars can come with automatic car parking, hybrid vehicles, and autonomous driving. This last one, autonomous driving, is a big topic in the automotive industry. Brands like Tesla are at the forefront of self-driving cars, but unlike them, BMW Group talks about bringing it to the public.

Legal factors: The need to abide by hundreds of rules at once

BMW Group abides by a host of copyright laws related to its vehicles, as well as the technology incorporated, including WiFi and Bluetooth. It’s trickier because the Group must abide by the regulations in each country the vehicles are manufactured and sold. Any changes to these laws (in any given location) can pause or fully halt BMW’s performance and creation of new technologies.

Ecological factors: Less CO2 and more hybrid model cars

Nowadays, consumers worry about the health of the planet. And two major impactful problems are CO2 emissions and fuel-usage by cars. As a means to please this audience, BMW has dove headfirst into the development and distribution of hybrid car models. These cars use less fuel than the average.

On top of this, the BMW Group is also introducing more electric model options to the public.

Also read: SWOT analysis of BMW

PESTLE Analysis of BMW: Conclusion

BMW is a popular, lavish vehicle manufacturer providing high-performance cars to audiences all over the world. BMW Group is a formidable force, able to affect bills and regulations because of the massive funds the firm brings in each year. Although the company is often competing against other vehicle manufacturers, like Toyota, its obsession with innovation allows it to stand out amongst most competitors.

Not only is the Group looking to introduce autonomous driving to the public, it also focuses on the development of green technology for eco-friendly audiences. It can showcase these offerings (and more) on their social media pages, which have millions of followers. Despite the threat of expensive tariffs, BMW Group shows no signs of slowing down in the automotive industry.

More informative PESTLE analysis examples are available throughout this article and on the website. And when you’re ready to create your own from scratch, we have you covered.

Photo byRafal Gerent-PocianonUnsplash

PESTLE Analysis of BMW: Shaping the automotive industry (2024)

FAQs

What is PESTLE analysis briefly explain? ›

A PESTLE analysis studies the key external factors (Political, Economic, Sociological, Technological, Legal and Environmental) that influence an organisation. It can be used in a range of different scenarios, and can guide people professionals and senior managers in strategic decision-making.

What are some of the factors affecting the automobile industry? ›

There are four major factors affecting the automotive industry: technology, market, customers and the most influential factor – environment. Environment is a source of materials, infrastructure necessary for manufacturing but everything is limited.

What political factors affect BMW? ›

BMW Group is affected by common political influences, such as the introduction of new policies, regulations, and political corruption.

What is PESTLE analysis give examples? ›

PESTLE is an acronym that stands for six external factors affecting your business: political, economic, sociological, technological, legal and environmental. Each of these can have a profound effect on your business and varying implications, for example, in terms of: duration of impact - short term or long term.

How do you write a PESTLE analysis report? ›

Here's how to write a PESTLE analysis:
  1. Start political.
  2. Move on to economic factors.
  3. Examine social influences.
  4. Look at technological factors.
  5. Understand the impacts of the legal system.
  6. Study how environmental changes affect you.

Why is PESTLE analysis important for a business? ›

A PESTLE analysis is a simple tool that helps businesses succeed because it allows business owners to gain an understanding of the wider market in which they are operating in. Widening your understanding to consider external factors instigates strategic thinking which, in turn, results in better strategising.

How does the environment affect the automotive industry? ›

It's also true that most of an automobile's environmental impact, perhaps 80 to 90 percent, will be due to fuel consumption and emissions of air pollution and greenhouse gases that climate scientists say are driving global warming. Fortunately, the level of that impact is very much under the control of the driver.

What factors can impact your decision in buying car? ›

Prospective buyers should take more than one test drive to make sure the car is a right fit. Check for driving comfort, blind spot view, and the seating configuration. Legroom, storage space, and other amenities are also important factors that can have a significant impact on your decision.

What is the automotive industry? ›

The automotive industry includes industries associated with the production, wholesaling, retailing, and maintenance of motor vehicles.

What are the challenges faced by BMW? ›

The BMW Group currently sees challenges in various areas, including political uncertainty, a cooling global economy (partly due to international trade conflicts), rising production costs to meet regulatory requirements, exchange rate effects and rising raw materials prices.

How political factors affect Volkswagen? ›

Political Factors affecting Volkswagen; Political stability in most countries- is an opportunity for Volkswagen to grow its market with no interference from state of the country. Mutual trade agreements between Volkswagen and other states enable easy trading and opening of manufacturing sites.

How do you write a PESTLE analysis for a business? ›

Follow these steps to conduct a PEST analysis:
  1. Identify the political factors. Conduct internal research to identify what types of laws or policies affect you. ...
  2. Identify the economic factors. Determine which economic factors will affect your business. ...
  3. Identify the social factors. ...
  4. Identify the technological factors.

How PESTLE analysis is beneficial for organizations explain in detail with examples? ›

A PESTLE analysis is often used as a broad fact-finding activity. It helps an organization establish the external factors that could impact decisions made inside the organization. By understanding the impact these external factors can have on an organization, it becomes handy for organizations to plan better.

How do you do PEST analysis of a product? ›

Start by breaking down the categories.
  1. Identify Political Factors. You assess political factors first.
  2. Identify Economic Factors. Once done, move towards economic factors. This list may be long. ...
  3. Identify Social Factors. Move on towards consumers. ...
  4. Identify Technological Factors. And lastly, consult your technology.

What is PESTLE analysis PDF? ›

Doing a PESTEL analysis helps you to look at all important factors. that might affect the success or failure of your project. PESTEL is an acronym for the following factors (Political, Economic, Social and cultural, Technological, Environment and Legal)

What is political factors in PESTLE analysis? ›

Political factors include government policies, leadership, and change; foreign trade policies; internal political issues and trends; tax policy; regulation and de-regulation trends.

What are the 6 elements of pestle? ›

In particular, PESTEL reflects the names of the six segments of the general environment: (1) political, (2) economic, (3) social, (4) technological, (5) environmental, and (6) legal.

How can the PEST Analysis be applied for making decisions? ›

PEST Analysis can assist an organization in recognizing and thereby capitalizing on opportunities offered by existing conditions in the business environment. 4 It can also be used for identifying current or possible future challenges, allowing for effective planning of how to best manage these challenges.

How does PESTLE analysis help in recognizing an opportunity? ›

A PESTEL analysis helps managers gain a better understanding of the opportunities and threats they face; consequently, the analysis aids in building a better vision of the future business landscape and how the firm might compete profitably.

Which of the PESTLE dimensions do you believe to be most important and why? ›

There is no single most important factor in the PESTEL framework. Depending on the subject to be analyzed, different factors may be supportive or detrimental. There is something that is most important in strategy formulation - knowing your company, knowing your competition, and knowing your customer.

What is BMW doing to help the environment? ›

The BMW Group has set itself a firm and verifiable interim goal for 2030 throughout its entire value chain: to reduce CO2 emissions from its vehicles by at least 40 percent – starting with the raw material, through the supply chain, production and the use phase, all the way to recycling.

Why is automotive industry important? ›

Autos create jobs, jobs, jobs.

Building 60 million vehicles requires the employment of about 9 million people directly in making the vehicles and the parts that go into them. This is over 5 percent of the world's total manufacturing employment.

Why sustainability is important in automotive industry? ›

Sustainability along the value chain

As natural resources become more and more scarce, sustainable value chains are becoming more and more important for the automotive industry. They are based on the principle of reusing and recycling resources. Creating transparency along the supply chain is critical.

What's the most important factor when choosing a car? ›

Price. Arguably the most important factor to consider when purchasing a car is the cost of the vehicle. Cars can range widely in price, with some vehicles worth their sticker price while others leave something more to be desired.

What is the most important factor to consider when buying a product? ›

The most important and first on this list is the Economic Factor. This one is the main foundation of any purchasing decision. The reason is simple people can't buy what they can't afford. The need of a product also doesn't play a role here, but the most important thing is affordability.

What are the major factors that could influence buying decisions involving a luxury car purchase? ›

The Psychology Of Luxury Car Buyers: 7 Considerations
  • Perceived Value. Luxury brands have a higher perceived value compared to other companies. ...
  • Status Symbol. A luxury car can act as a status symbol for the buyer. ...
  • Self-esteem. ...
  • Passion. ...
  • Consumer Experience. ...
  • Build Quality. ...
  • Exclusivity.
27 Nov 2019

How can the automotive industry be improved? ›

6 Steps to Continuous Improvement in Automotive Manufacturing
  1. Product Consistency. ...
  2. Compliance With Standards. ...
  3. Process Efficiency. ...
  4. Maximum Resource Utilization. ...
  5. Adopt a Team Mindset. ...
  6. Define Value from the Customer's Point of View. ...
  7. Develop a Common Understanding of the Cost of Quality. ...
  8. Solve Problems Completely.
28 Dec 2020

How the automotive industry is changing? ›

Digitization, increasing automation, and new business models have revolutionized other industries, and automotive will be no exception. These forces are giving rise to four disruptive technology-driven trends in the automotive sector: diverse mobility, autonomous driving, electrification, and connectivity.

Why automotive industry is growing? ›

The growing consumer purchasing power and increased spending on luxury cars drive the regional market growth. Furthermore, the significant demand for fuel-efficient and lightweight vehicles in the region propels the market growth.

What is BMW marketing strategy? ›

The fact that BMW marketing strategy concentrates on high-end segments on a global scale and consistently defines premium brand identification renders success. Trendsetting and attractive product range deliberately targets affluent customers and demonstrates the success of the automaker's global marketing strategy.

What you should know about BMW? ›

BMW History

BMW stands for Bavarian Motor Works (Bayerische Motoren Werke in German). The company, formally BMW AG, was founded in Munich in 1916. BMW began as a WWI airplane engine manufacturer. Its first car did not appear until 1928.

Are BMW reliable? ›

gave BMW a reliability rating of 177 out of 200, placing it 31st out of 40. Meanwhile, Repairpal gave BMW a score of 2.5 out of 5.0, ranking the company 30th out of 32 car brands. This may give the impression that reliable BMWs don't exist, but like every other German vehicle, BMWs need proper and regular maintenance.

What was the basis of targeting the market by BMW? ›

BMW Group adopts a marketing campaign of targeting its customers. In the slogans i.e. “The Ultimate Driving Machine” and “Sheer Driving Pleasure”. BMW tells its customers and other people that BMW cars give a pleasure in driving that no other car can give.

What is the main future challenge BMW will face? ›

BMW highlighted the “dramatic” changes it will need to make in the coming 10 years if it is to maintain its position in a car industry that is undergoing considerable upheaval through the arrival of electric vehicles, in-car connectivity and driverless cars.

What is the unique selling proposition of BMW? ›

About BMW
BMW Overview
Tagline/ SloganUltimate Driving machine; Sheer Driving Pleasure
USPBMW is technologically advanced and luxurious product portfolio delivering ultimate driving experience
BMW STP
SegmentationLuxury segment cars for affluent customers
7 more rows
20 Aug 2021

How can economic factors influence Volkswagen? ›

The country which is not good in the economy the company Volkswagen deal with the lower segments car. Another problem with the sales of the car is the increase in the petrol prices which directly affects the sales of the car and this condition is directly related to the economic situation of the country.

How does social factor affect Volkswagen? ›

Sociocultural Factors Affecting Volkswagen

This is primarily because of Volkswagen's business model which was to branch out and create multiple luxury vehicle brands. As a result, the primary brand Volkswagen is no longer directly associated with premium automobile classes.

How can technological environment influence Volkswagen? ›

The rise of autonomous, electric and connected vehicles will fundamentally change how cars are designed and constructed, even allowing them to be made out of materials such as paper and bamboo.

What is political factors in PESTLE analysis? ›

Political factors include government policies, leadership, and change; foreign trade policies; internal political issues and trends; tax policy; regulation and de-regulation trends.

What is PESTLE analysis PDF? ›

Doing a PESTEL analysis helps you to look at all important factors. that might affect the success or failure of your project. PESTEL is an acronym for the following factors (Political, Economic, Social and cultural, Technological, Environment and Legal)

What are the 6 elements of PESTLE? ›

In particular, PESTEL reflects the names of the six segments of the general environment: (1) political, (2) economic, (3) social, (4) technological, (5) environmental, and (6) legal.

What are the components of PESTEL analysis? ›

There are six elements to a PESTLE analysis: Political, Economic, Sociological, Technological, Legal, and Environmental.

How does pestle impact a business? ›

PESTLE helps you to analyse external factors which can affect your business. The six factors are: political, economic, social, technological, legal or environmental. With a clear overview of these factors you can better understand the position and potential of your business in the market.

What are the economic factors affecting business environment? ›

Economic environment
  • Employment/unemployment.
  • Income.
  • Inflation.
  • Interest rates.
  • Tax rates.
  • Currency exchange rate.
  • Saving rates.
  • Consumer confidence levels.

What is social factors in PESTLE analysis? ›

3. Social factors in PESTLE Analysis. Social factors include cultural norms and expectations, health consciousness, population growth rates, age distribution, career attitudes, health, and safety. These factors are helpful for companies to better plan their marketing analytics and strategy.

How can the pest analysis be applied for making decisions in the organization? ›

PEST Analysis can assist an organization in recognizing and thereby capitalizing on opportunities offered by existing conditions in the business environment. 4 It can also be used for identifying current or possible future challenges, allowing for effective planning of how to best manage these challenges.

Why PESTEL analysis is important PDF? ›

A PESTEL analysis is a framework or tool used to analyse and monitor the external environment factors which have an impact on an organisation. The result of which is used to identify threats and weaknesses, strengths and opportunities which can be considered or used in a SWOT analysis.

WHAT IS A PEST analysis and why is it important PDF? ›

PEST is an acronym for four sources of change: political, economic, social, and technological. PEST analysis is a powerful and widely used tool for understanding strategic risk. It identifies the changes and the effects of the external macro environment on a firm's competitive position.

Which PESTEL factor is most important? ›

There is no single most important factor in the PESTEL framework. Depending on the subject to be analyzed, different factors may be supportive or detrimental. There is something that is most important in strategy formulation - knowing your company, knowing your competition, and knowing your customer.

What is the key outcome of PESTEL analysis? ›

It can provide an advance warning of potential threats and opportunities. It encourages businesses to consider the external environment in which they operate. The analysis can help organisations understand external trends.

What do you mean by strength and weakness analysis explain? ›

SWOT analysis is a framework for identifying and analyzing an organization's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. These words make up the SWOT acronym. The primary goal of SWOT analysis is to increase awareness of the factors that go into making a business decision or establishing a business strategy.

How can PESTLE analysis improved the performance of the organization utilizing it? ›

Benefits of performing a PESTLE analysis

Gain a clear understanding of where your organization stands within the larger community. Be better prepared for unanticipated changes to minimize the impacts of unpleasant surprises. Identify organizational shortcomings and opportunities for new investments.

Why do we need to consider the PESTEL factors in product and service design? ›

PESTEL analysis helps to identify key factors to acknowledge, understand, and potentially use to your advantage. I have discussed some characteristics of these environmental factors below. The article will help you find which factors are more important to your company's strategy.

How political factors affect business as of this day? ›

Governments can raise or lower corporation tax , which will impact on profits. They can also affect businesses by increasing value-added tax on products or business rates. They can bring in new laws like the National Minimum Wage , which impacts on profits and employment rights.

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