The enormous demand and the steadily rising market shares of BMW motorcycles attest to their supreme product quality. This is not a coincidence. BMW Motorrad quality managers constantly supervise the production to ensure compliance with the exacting requirements on the production and product quality. New models are thoroughly tested and optimized in a launch analysis center before they hit the market to make sure they meet the high quality demands right from the start of series production.

In order to advance its continuous improvement process, the BMW Group Plant Berlin applies the EFQM Excellence Model. EFQM is an organization that focuses on conveying best-practice management strategies. Under the motto, “Developing the Berlin Plant into a first-class motorcycle plant,” the site benchmarked against external competition to identify its strengths and room for improvement. The effort put into advancing the plant paid off: In the competition for the renowned Ludwig Erhard Award, BMW Group Plant Berlin took second place with its very first submission. This award is a recognized national honor for proven sustainable peak performance and competitiveness.

In 2011, the plant achieved an even bigger success and received the Ludwig Erhard Award for comprehensive corporate quality in the Large Companies category. This award honors above-average management results to improve competitiveness, customer and staff satisfaction, social responsibility and resource conservation. A crucial factor is a corporate sustainability strategy implemented for at least three consecutive years.

Nothing is left to chance in the ongoing production either: every single engine has to pass a combined cold and transmission test for its mechanics and tightness. In assembly, the vehicle electronics of all bikes are tested in a complex process, so that even the smallest malfunction can be detected before delivery. Be it the ABS system, brakes, clutches, transmission, lighting or chassis safety features – all elements are thoroughly tested so that BMW motorcycles run perfectly when handed over to customers.