BMW Genius – Who Are They & How Much Do They Make?

If you’ve ever visited a BMW showroom, you’ve undoubtedly encountered a car salesperson. They tell you about the car you’re looking at, and especially the benefits of buying today. A sales pitch is always about how the deal on this particular car benefits you, the customer.

All of that is well-established. BMW, however, launched a brand-new concept back in 2014 — the BMW Genius Program. In today’s piece, we’re going to be talking about what these BMW geniuses do, and how their role is different from that of a traditional sales role.

What does a BMW Genius do?

To begin, you should think of BMW geniuses as a kind of evolved salesperson. They look far beyond the typical role of just trying to connect a customer with a good deal and close it. A genius is specially trained to demonstrate model-specific product information to a level of detail that the typical salesperson would never truly master.

In short, what a BMW genius does is to first become a bona fide expert in all things BMW. They get down to the nitty-gritty of technical details, making them familiar with all aspects of BMW vehicles. They are also trained to help you get familiar with the cars you’re looking at, and we mean really familiar. Part of their training is actually getting behind the wheels of various BMW vehicles and experiencing them first-hand. This provides the genius with great insight as they work to assist you in finding the ideal BMW to match your needs.

A salesperson tells you the color, basic engine specs, interior trim, and offers on the price. A genius will provide you with deeper insight, comparing the exact specifications of different models to really guide you in finding the perfect vehicle.

Another role of this special BMW representative is to advise you and connect with you on the plethora of BMW aftersales services like BMW Encore. Let’s say you’ve talked with the genius and have determined the exact right model to suit your lifestyle. In regular sales, you set up the finance and arrange collection. A genius will take you through the complimentary BMW Encore service, setting it up and positioning you perfectly for if and when you need aftersales support.

Finally, the geniuses are responsible for manning the BMW Genius Hotline. When you need to find a product expert for advice, call the hotline and a genius will talk to you directly about your product-related questions, features you’re unsure about, or any important updates that are coming for your vehicle.

When you first encounter the geniuses, you might just think they’re like any other sales team. They have a goal to close deals and get you on your way. Not long after they begin to introduce the various aspects of your BMW to you, though, you start to see the difference. This is a comprehensive customer service experience. To a genius, you’re not just a showroom customer, but a BMW subscriber.

How Much Does a BMW Genius Make?

Reports vary on the total average salary that a genius can expect to take home. One area of agreement, however, is that a typical BMW genius receives a wage of $16 an hour, which is more than double the federal minimum wage, and even a dollar over what many consider to be the average living wage across the country.

This is why the job title includes BMW “product expert” because that’s what you have to become to distinguish yourself as a BMW genius.

As for an annual salary, it clearly depends on how many hours they put in. According to neuvoo.com, the average is about $31,200 per year, with more experienced workers getting up to $39,000. Glassdoor.com is a little more optimistic, putting the average at just above $57,000, but compared to the hourly, such a salary may leave little time for social life.

Perhaps, though, this is merely a testament to just how much work the geniuses put into their day at the BMW Center. They’re laser-focused on providing the most meaningful BMW car-buying experience.

Who needs the BMW genius? Mostly, the people who benefit the most from the program are those who know one thing — they want a BMW — but they don’t really know where to begin. In this situation, you need a friendly, informed, and helpful face; an expert who will assist customers with more than just the latest offers.

In effect, they act as kind of customer advocates first in the buying process, and then afterward in the customer service arena. If you’re a BMW owner and have questions, the BMW Genius Hotline might be a good place to start your inquiries.