Not far from Munichs Olympic Park, built for the 1972 Olympics, stands a building replicating a four-cylinder engine.
Nearby is a large, very modern building with a roof that appears to float. Its BMW Welt, or BMW World, anchoring a campus that includes a BMW museum and the manufacturing plant for Bavarian Motor Works, otherwise known as BMW.
With more than 2 million visitors a year, its one of Bavarias largest tourist attractions, and the entire campus is easily worth a day. Dining, shopping, films, cars and 90 years of BMW history are showcased here.
During my visit to the Welt in May, the king of Norway was also there to see the various versions and brands of BMW, including the Mini, Rolls-Royce, and motorcycles that I hadnt known were part of the company.
The young king was surrounded by dark-suited men, probably bodyguards, as he asked questions and got in and out of the various cars displayed around the impressive, multi-leveled space. Members of the public, along with my press group, were politely kept at some distance so the king could enjoy his experience in relative privacy. But we got to have the same experiences after he had passed.
The buildings architecture expresses speed and movement in themes related to mobility, technology and innovation. Since it opened in 2007, it has become a major attraction for Munich residents as well as fans of the BMW Group brands.
Outside, we saw a middle-aged couple who had just taken delivery of their new BMW. Although those who purchase the car can also pick it up at dealerships, just last year 22,500 vehicles were delivered to their new owners at the Welt.
Between 80 and 120 vehicle deliveries take place at the BMW Welt every day, with up to 160 deliveries at peak times.
The brands first electric vehicles began to be delivered this year with more than 60 BMW i3s and BMW i8s already presented to their new owners this year.
Customers often travel long distances to visit the BMW Welt and to pick up the cars theyve ordered. About 90 percent come from throughout Germany, many bringing their families to continue on to Austria or Italy for a holiday. Both countries are less than 100 miles away. According to BMW, one in 10 customers crosses the Atlantic to pick up his or her car, ordered from a local dealership near his or her. In June, a group of Canadians departed from Munich on a trip across Europe in their new BMW M3 Sedans and BMW M4 Coups. At the end of the trip, the cars were shipped back to their owners.
BMW delivers the customers new car with great pomp and ceremony to assure it will be a very special and memorable experience. After a 90-minute personalized briefing about their vehicle, they get the keys.
The car comes down a glass elevator as they wait in the Welt, explained Terri Blakeley, manager of European delivery for Classic BMW in Mentor.
She works with customers to makes arrangements on the U.S. end to assure a seamless experience.
The cars in the program all are those manufactured to U.S. specifications, she said. BMW arranges for two weeks insurance and German license plates, which make great souvenirs after the trip.
Blakeley said she worked on three European deliveries in July, but notes the number varies from month to month.
Because BMW heavily discounts the cars sold for pickup at the Welt, customers often find the savings pays for the trip, Blakeley said.
Most people who pick up their BMWs at the Welt tour Europe for two weeks, then drop the car off in one of seven European countries before flying home. The car is prepared for shipment back to America, where it can be picked up at Classic BMW about eight weeks later.
Although many people want an all-wheel drive, the BMW X series cars are made in Spartanburg, South Carolina, so they arent available on the European delivery program, Blakeley said.
The new electric BMWs -the i3 and i8 also are very limited in terms of the program.
But people get so excited about their BMW adventure they text me and send me photos throughout their trip, Blakeley said, noting the BMW Welt is an experience not to be missed when visiting Munich.
Travelers checks
I flew United Airlines to Munich from Cleveland with a connection in Newark. Get more information about travel in Bavaria from www.bavaria.us.
Admission is free to the BMW Welt and Museum at Am Olympiapark 2 in Munich. Phone: 089-125016001.
Find out more about BMW Welt at www.bmw-welt.com.