Yeongjongdo, Incheon ― BMW Group Korea on Tuesday broke ground for the country’s first major driving center, the company said on Tuesday.
The facility will be the first of its kind in Asia and comes after similar centers in Germany and the U.S., said Kim Hyo-joon, chief executive of BMW Korea.
The driving center ― measuring 240 square kilometers to equal the size of 33 soccer fields put together ― will house six arenas, each allotted for different roles such as for driving safety education, international racing competition and family-friendly exhibitions.
BMW Group Korea’s chief executive Kim Hyo-joon (left) on Tuesday describes the carmaker’s planned driving center at Yeongjongdo, Incheon, to other BMW group executives including Hendrik von Kuenheim (second from left) who heads BMW Group’s operations in the Asia-Pacific and South Africa. Construction began on the driving center the same day. (BMW Group Korea)
A total of 70 billion won ($62.3 million) will be invested for the center, and BMW said the driving track will be available for all BMW customers and citizens who hope to test drive BMW vehicles. The 2.6-kilometer track offers six driving courses such as dynamic, circle and xDrive routes.
The official opening is set for mid-next year.
A slew of high-ranking executives and officials from both inside and outside the company including Hendrik von Kuenheim, BMW’s senior vice president for Asia Pacific and South Africa, and German Ambassador Rolf Mafael attended the ground-breaking event to congratulate the carmaker.
By Lee Hyun-jeong (
rene@heraldcorp.com)
