BMW announced its first major investment in Romania, a collaboration with Japanese company NTT Data to establish an IT development center in Cluj-Napoca. This strategic partnership aims to bolster BMW Group IT in Europe, focusing on developing IT projects and innovations for various sectors within BMW, including production, development, human resources, sales, and financial services.
The new center will initially employ 120 individuals, with plans to expand to 250 software developers by the end of the year. The ambition is to grow the workforce to several thousand by 2027. Although the financial details of the investment were not disclosed, BMW’s decision to choose Cluj-Napoca underscores the city’s rising prominence, including its status as an academic hub. Alexander Buresch, BMW Group IT’s Executive IT Director and Executive Vice President, highlighted the choice of Cluj-Napoca for its dynamic technological region and the strong partnership with NTT Data, which will allow BMW to rapidly develop additional software competencies in a targeted manner.
Maria Metz, CEO of NTT DATA Romania, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, aiming to support the automotive manufacturer in its digital transformation journey. This investment is a testament to BMW’s commitment to enhancing its IT capabilities, as evidenced by its global IT division, which employs 9,400 staff across IT and software hubs in Germany, the USA, South Africa, India, Portugal, and China.
Since 2019, BMW has been working on constructing a fully digitalized factory in Debrecen, Hungary, set to produce electric models from 2025. Romania was considered for this investment, highlighting the country’s potential in the automotive and technology sectors. The proximity of Cluj-Napoca to Debrecen, just 220 kilometers apart, further integrates the region into BMW’s expanding network of innovation and development.
More info on BMW Press Club: BMW Group and NTT DATA Romania sign Joint Venture contract: Development and operation of business IT solutions in focus.
