A cookie is a small file that stores Internet settings. Nearly all websites use cookie technology.

This technology is downloaded by your internet browser the first time you visit a website. The next time you access this website from the same device, the cookie and the information stored in it is either sent back to the site that generated it (first-party cookie) or to a different website to which it belongs (third-party cookie). This enables the website to recognise whether you have already accessed the site through this browser and, in many cases, it may then vary the content displayed.

Some cookies can be extremely useful, because they improve the user experience when you return to a site you have already visited several times. As long as you use the same terminal and the same browser, cookies will remember your preferences for the site, for example, and make the offers displayed more relevant to your personal interests and needs. Depending on their function and purpose, cookies can be divided into four categories *: essential cookies; performance cookies; functional cookies; and cookies for marketing purposes. 

On the BMW Group website, you have the option of agreeing to the use of cookies in principle and thus being able to use all functions of the website without restrictions. If you do not accept or deactivate the use of cookies, this may result in functional restrictions. In the case of deactivation, no distinction is made between first-party cookies and third-party cookies.

The following provides examples of the cookies used on www.bmwgroup-plants.com.

Depending on their function and purpose, cookies can be divided into four categories *: essential cookies; performance cookies; functional cookies; and cookies for marketing purposes.

Essential cookies are needed so that you can navigate a website and use its features. Without these cookies, functionalities cannot be guaranteed - for example, actions taken during a visit (e.g. text entry or vehicle configuration) may not be preserved when navigating between different pages of the site.

Functional cookies enable a website to store information already entered (such as user name, language or current location) and offer the user improved, more personalised features. For example, a site might offer information on local pricing, if the website uses cookies to store the region in which the user is currently located. Functional cookies are also used to enable requested functions, such as playing videos. These cookies collect anonymous information; they cannot track your movements on other websites.

Performance cookies collect information about the way a website is used – about which pages a visitor accesses the most and whether error messages are displayed by a particular page. These cookies do not store any information that allows identification of the user. The information collected is aggregated and anonymous. These cookies are solely used to improve the performance of a website and the user experience.

Cookies for marketing purposes are used to generate more targeted advertisements that are relevant for the user and tailored to their interests. They are also used to limit the frequency of occurrence of an ad and measure the effectiveness of advertising campaigns. They register whether people visit a website or not. This information may be shared with third parties, such as advertisers. Cookies for better targeting of advertising are often linked with page functions by third parties.

Like most websites you visit, www.bmwgroup-plants.com also uses cookies to improve the user experience for both one-time and repeated visits to the site. This allows you to switch quickly and easily between pages, save your favourites, exchange information through social networks like Facebook or Google+ and use Google Maps services.

Cookies are either placed by our website (first-party cookies) or other websites whose content appears on our website (third-party cookies). For example, our website incorporates "share" buttons that allow users to share content with their friends on social networks like Facebook and Twitter. These third parties may use cookies when you are logged onto their pages and visit our website. BMW AG has no influence on these websites’ cookie settings. Please visit these third-party websites to obtain more information about their use of cookies.

On www.bmwgroup-plants.com, you have the option of consenting in principle or rejecting the use of cookies – no distinction is made between first and third-party cookies. If you consent, both cookie types may be used. If you reject the use of cookies, first-party cookies subject to approval will be deleted.

You can also block and delete cookies by altering your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to manage your cookies by either accepting or rejecting all cookies or accepting only certain types of cookies. The procedure for managing and deleting cookies can be found in the browser’s integrated help function.

If you restrict the use of cookies, you will not be able to use all of our website’s interactive features.

Our website uses Adobe technology to collect information about how users interact with the site and its content. BMW AG uses this information to ensure that the site offers added value for visitors – for example, through content tailored to your individual needs.

The use of Adobe involves collecting data through Adobe Analytics and Adobe Dynamic Tag Management that is then processed and stored anonymously at Adobe computer centres in Europe. If you wish to opt out of data acquisition by Adobe entirely, you may do so by completing the opt-out process on the Adobe website: http://www.adobe.com/en/privacy/opt-out.html. 

If you prefer to opt out of the web analytics service intelliAd (intelliAd Media GmbH, Sendlinger Str. 7, 80331 Munich), please click here. Please note that this will take you to the provider’s website.

If you delete all your cookies, you will need to perform the opt-out process again. The same applies if you visit this site from another computer. If your security settings are too high and the cookie is blocked, we will be unable to fulfil your opt-out request. In this case, you will be notified accordingly and should repeat the opt-out process with lower security settings.

One of the features of the BMW AG Website on the domain www.bmwgroup-plants.com is that it uses what are called social plugins ("plugins") from the social network facebook.com, which are operated by Facebook Inc., 1601 S. California Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA ("Facebook"). These plugins are indicated by a Facebook logo. When you access the BMW AG Website on the domain www.bmwgroup-plants.com, your browser establishes a direct connection with the Facebook servers. The content of the plugin is transferred by Facebook directly to your browser, which then integrates it into the website.

Integration of the plugin causes Facebook to receive the information that you have accessed on the corresponding page of the BMW AG Website. If you are logged in with Facebook, it will be able to assign your visit to your Facebook account. Please note that an exchange of this information already takes place when you visit our website on the domain www.bmwgroup-plants.com, regardless of whether you interact with the plugin or not. If you interact with the plugins, such as by pressing the "Like" button, the corresponding information is sent directly to Facebook by your browser and saved there. You can find information on the purpose and extent of data acquisition as well as how the data is processed further and used by Facebook, together with your rights and optional settings to protect your private sphere, in the Facebook data protection notes: http://www.facebook.com/policy.php

If you do not want Facebook to gather data about you via our website on the domain www.bmwgroup-plants.com, you must log out of Facebook before visiting the BMW AG Website.