In a press release, SMC Asia Car Distributors Corp. announced that BMW has been appointed as the Official Premium Mobility Partner for the ASEAN 2026 Summit. The German automaker will be providing the summit a fleet of 125 vehicles focused on safety, sustainability, and comfort.
BMW describes this collaboration as a showcase of its ‘Future Forward’ strategy, demonstrating that the future of premium mobility is “both environmentally responsible and uncompromisingly secure.” BMW has also committed to a 24/7 rotation of tech teams on standby, to make sure the fleet stays at peak performance throughout the event.
For Heads of State in attendance, BMW is deploying 25 units of the 760i Protection high-security sedan exclusively for their use. Unlike other bulletproof vehicles which use ordinary production vehicles as a base with armor bolted on after, the 760i Protection uses the BMW Protection Core: a purpose-built chassis constructed entirely out of armored steel.
This allows for substantial weight savings without sacrificing protective capabilities. Under the hood, the 760i Protection is powered by a turbocharged V8 with a mild hybrid system making 523hp and 790Nm of torque—plenty of power to ensure the heavy chassis stays agile in heated scenarios.
Alongside the armored sedans, BMW is providing the X3 30e xDrive for diplomats. Seventy of these plug-in hybrid sports activity vehicles (SAVs) are being deployed. The X3 in particular was selected for service to highlight its electrified efficiency and versatile performance, both of which will be helpful with keeping up with the summit’s busy schedule.
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The BMW lineup is rounded out by the i5 eDrive40. The 30 units provided earlier this year in January are returning to service to support the ASEAN 2026 Summit fleet. The inclusion of this electric sedan means the fleet fully represents BMW’s electrified portfolio: a mild HEV, a PHEV, and a BEV.
The ASEAN 2026 Summit formally opened today, May 8, 2026. With talks and conferences set to take place around Lapu-Lapu City, Cebuano readers might spot these BMWs in the area throughout the next few days.
