BMW Group’s first driving center in Asia is expected to house not only a series of driving tracks and training service centers, but also an eco-friendly sports park as well as family-friendly and children-oriented cultural arenas, according to BMW Group Korea.

Scheduled to open in Incheon by mid-2014, the new driving center will take up space equal to 33 soccer fields.

The leading German carmaker’s gigantic multipurpose driving center in Korea will be one of only three in the world ― the other two being in Germany and the U.S.

Built with three themes that BMW has championed in automobile industry ― experience, joy and green ― the center will house six driving tracks for a variety of purposes ranging from safety education to international racing events.

Once construction is completed, the company expects to relocate the BMW Training Academy, which is currently located in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, to the new center.

Approximately 15,000 individuals a year will be able to take courses in the new facility, specializing in sales, technical training and branding.

Kim Hyo-joon, chief executive of BMW Korea, first suggested the idea of launching a new driving center here in Korea, arguing that doing so can significantly increase the company’s long-term productivity not only in Korea but also in the growing Asian market.

Taking advantage of the new center’s close proximity to Incheon International Airport, the new center will also start a service in which BMW owners can drop off their vehicles for maintenance before taking a flight, the company said.

“This major investment by a top German carmaker here in Korea will significantly change the investors’ attitudes,” said Rolf Mafael, German ambassador to Korea, at the groundbreaking ceremony earlier this month.

“We can expect the influx of more foreign direct investment by German companies here.”

BMW’s investment in the new center is estimated at 70 billion won ($62 million), according to the company.

BMW expects the new center to host more than 200,000 visitors a year.

By Kwon Bum-joon (bjkwon@heraldcorp.com)