BMW Replaces Traditional Auto Show Specification Panels with Apple iPads

BMW has debuted the “iPad experience” for auto-show consumers across America at this week's South Florida International Auto Show in Miami, by replacing the traditional auto show specification panels used to display vehicle information and pricing with “interactive iPads,” the company officially announced.

A press release issued last week by the German automobile, motorcycle and engine manufacturing company revealed that “For the first time in the United States, BMW will launch an interactive and innovative iPad experience for Auto Show consumers, which will debut at the South Florida International Auto Show in Miami.”

Kicked off on November 5th, the event saw the traditional auto show specification panel used to display vehicle information and pricing being replaced by what BMW calls “interactive iPads.”

Indeed, the choice seems logical for the ambitious car maker which, via the “iPad experience,” offered consumers enhanced functionality such as the opportunity to design their own BMW using the digital configurator.

The configurator reportedly permits consumers to explore various color, wheel and interior options that are available for each car model.

This, in addition to displaying technical specification and pricing, ultimately allows consumers to “experience the dynamic features of the displayed models with the iPad's multimedia features, such as video content and photographs,” BMW said.

Additional benefits for Auto Show consumers reportedly include the opportunity to request additional details on the vehicle, requesting to be contacted directly by a local BMW center to schedule an appointment or test drive, and more.

As expected, the iPads used as specification panels are pre-installed with a custom application by the people at BMW who, for one reason or another, did not include German as a supported language (the app is localized in English and Spanish only, according to the report).

“BMW's iPad application differs from other luxury vehicles use of technology in that is customized for each vehicle,” the company stated last week. “The iPads are located adjacent to each model, and there is one iPad per vehicle on the showroom floor.”

The South Florida International Auto Show has its doors open from November 5th through November 14th, during which period consumers can experience the first iPad-based, interactive specification panels.