News

BMW Group U.S. Reports February 2010 Sales

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 11:01:00 -0600 —
Woodcliff Lake, NJ – March 2, 2010... BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) increased its February sales 13.7 percent selling 17,971 vehicles compared to the same month in 2009. Both the BMW and MINI brands improved performance with BMW reporting a sales increase of 16.3 percent to 15,100 units and MINI a 1.6 percent increase to 2,871 vehicles.[keep reading]

Results were driven by the excellent performance of the BMW X5 Sports Activity Vehicle, up 75.5 percent, and the X6 increasing 97.6 percent. In the large premium sedan segment, the BMW 7 Series has led the category for the last two months.

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The new BMW Concept 5 Series ActiveHybrid

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 09:51:00 -0600 — World premiere at Geneva Motorshow: The new BMW Concept 5 Series ActiveHybrid.

Parallel to the world debut of the new BMW 5 Series Sedan at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, BMW is also presenting the concept of a future-oriented full-hybrid model in the upper midrange segment:[keep reading] The BMW Concept 5 Series ActiveHybrid for the first time offers the combination of a BMW straight-six with electric drive, setting new standards for sporting pleasure at the wheel and superior sustainability in this segment.

Munich: The new concept car offers a particularly good rendition of the new BMW 5 Series Sedan in all its dynamic, efficient and innovative qualities, at the same time representing the ongoing development of the BMW ActiveHybrid X6 and the BMW ActiveHybrid 7 with their drivetrain technology already in production.

The drive system featured in the BMW Concept 5 Series ActiveHybrid consists of a straight-six gasoline engine with TwinPower Turbo technology, eight-speed automatic transmission, and electric drive. Integration of BMW ActiveHybrid technology in a sedan already extremely efficient with its "conventional" combustion engine reduces both fuel consumption and emissions once again by more than 10 per cent. At the same time the electric motor offers a boost function, supporting the gasoline engine in generating particularly dynamic drive power for an even more sporting driving experience in the car.

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Comparison: 2011 BMW 535i vs 2010 Mercedes-Benz E350

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 12:20:00 -0600 —
Climb into the 535i, and it's hard to believe the two cars weigh the same. There's a bit less heft to the controls, and g-forces in any direction seem to build with less resistance and less effort. Combining Active Steering with the Sport Package (Driving Dynamics Control, Active Roll Stabilization, and adaptive damping-figure $4500 together) gives the car incredibly sharp responses that make it feel light and nimble, especially in the Sport + setting, which eliminates virtually all body roll. The level of feedback at the helm feels much closer to that of the benchmark E39 5er.

The rest of the article can be found online.

The BMW 5 Series is featured in this month’s Winding Road

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 12:09:00 -0600 —
"This new 5 Series family is going to slay the competition."

“Sets the bar just that much higher in a segment with a long list of incredibly desirable contenders.”

The rest of the article can be found online.

BMW NA Receives Two Green Building LEED Certificates

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 12:38:00 -0600 —
Two of BMW NA’s Regional Distribution Centers located in suburban Chicago (Minooka, IL) and Eastern Pennsylvania (Lower Nazareth, PA) have received LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certifications from the U.S. Green Building Council.

According to LEED guidelines, both facilities were constructed in an environmental and sustainable way. Highlights include energy and water usage being reduced by more than 20 percent compared to standard building practice. Further, over 80 percent of all construction waste was recycled or otherwise diverted from landfills. Both facilities were noted for using recycled and locally sourced materials, drought tolerant landscaping, and eliminating permanent irrigation systems to reduce the use of potable water.

The facility in Lower Nazareth, PA received “LEED certified” recognition, while the facility in Minooka, IL was awarded “LEED silver certified.” Currently, the two centers serve 279 BMW and MINI dealers in the Northeast and Midwest with next-day delivery of auto and motorcycle parts, accessories and branded lifestyle products.

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JEFF KOONS TO CREATE NEW BMW ART CAR

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 14:01:00 -0600 —
Munich/New York. Internationally acclaimed artist Jeff Koons will create the 17th BMW Art Car in the 35th anniversary year of the program.

Koons and Jim O’Donnell, President of BMW North America jointly made the announcement today at an event held at Koons’ New York City studio. "I always thought it would be an honor to work on a BMW Art Car,” said Jeff Koons. “I look forward to participate in a tradition set forth by such great artists as Calder, Lichtenstein, Stella, and Warhol."

“The entire BMW Group is looking forward to this celebration of contemporary art by Jeff Koons, one of the greatest artists of our time,” said O’Donnell in making the announcement.

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BMW GROUP U.S. REPORTS JANUARY 2010 SALES

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 13:32:00 -0600 —
Woodcliff Lake, NJ – February 2, 2010... With sales up 7.7 percent in January to 15,410 vehicles, the BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) had a good start into the year 2010.

Sales of BMW brand vehicles increased 7.6 percent in January for a total of 13,163 vehicles compared to 12,232 vehicles reported in the same month a year ago. MINI USA reported sales of 2,247 automobiles, an increase of 7.9 percent compared to 2,082 cars reported last January.

[keep reading] “Traffic in our showrooms was a bit sporadic this month but combined with a strong December we are delighted to see a positive January gain,” said Jim O’Donnell, President of BMW of North America, LLC. “The new 7 Series had a particularly encouraging performance, assuming segment leadership with over 1,300 units sold.”

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BMW of North America Returns as Exclusive Automotive Partner

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 11:32:00 -0600 —
BMW of North America Returns as Exclusive Automotive Partner of M·A·C & Milk During New York Fall/Winter 2010 Fashion Week

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – February 11, 2010... New York Fashion Week kicked off today with BMW of North America returning as the exclusive automotive partner of M·A·C & Milk and its series of shows, presentations and special events. BMW will provide a chauffeured fleet of luxurious new BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo vehicles to transport designers to M·A·C & Milk during New York Fall/Winter 2010 Fashion Week (February 11 - 18).

Now in just its second season, M·A·C & Milk has already made significant strides in furthering the evolution of Fashion Week in New York, by providing designers with accessible multilayered support – from a dynamic space for their shows, presentations and special events to M·A·C makeup artistry and product support. This enables not only established, but also emerging designers to showcase their work on one of the industry’s biggest stages– New York Fashion Week.

“BMW has a rich history of supporting artists and designers, and we’re proud to continue that tradition through our ongoing support of M·A·C & Milk,” said Jack Pitney, Vice President of Marketing, BMW of North America. “Like our partners at M·A·C & Milk, we too see tremendous value in providing the designers of today and tomorrow with the freedom and flexibility they need to share their creative visions and collections.”

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BMW Posts 2010 GRAND-AM Contingency Program

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 09:05:00 -0600 —
Woodcliff Lake, NJ – February 9, 2010...BMW has announced a comprehensive contingency award program with increased awards for competitors racing BMW cars and BMW-powered cars in the 2010 GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series and the GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge.

“2010 marks the 35th anniversary of BMW of North America and we are pleased to increase our support for both professional and private teams racing in GRAND-AM events,” said Martin Birkmann, BMW of North America Motorsport Manager. “BMW cars and BMW-powered racers had an excellent start to the year at Daytona and we wish them continued success throughout the season.”

In the January 30-31 Rolex 24 at Daytona, the No. 01 TELMEX BMW Riley, fielded by Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates, finished second in the classic twice-around-the-clock endurance race with drivers Scott Pruett, Memo Rojas, Justin Wilson, and Max Papis finishing one position ahead of the No. 95 Crown Royal/NPN Racing BMW Riley driven by Christophe Bouchut, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Lucas Luhr, Scott Tucker, and Richard Westbrook

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Fast Company Ranks BMW Group DesignworksUSA

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 08:47:00 -0600 —
Fast Company Ranks BMW Group DesignworksUSA World’s ''#1 Most Innovative Company in Design'' and among the ''Most Innovative Companies for 2010''

In its March 2010 issue, Fast Company Magazine has named BMW Group DesignworksUSA the ''World’s Most Innovative Company in Design'' and selected it as one of the world's most innovative companies from twenty-four categories including design, advertising & marketing, mobile, biotechnology, energy, film & television, food, media, healthcare, music, and sports.

DesignworksUSA stands shoulder-to-shoulder with both rising newcomers and industry legends such as Disney, ESPN, First Solar, Facebook, GE, Google, HP, Novartis, Spotify, and Hulu.

''DesignworksUSA's ability to innovate across so many different industries is remarkable,'' says Fast Company editor Robert Safian. ''With BMW Group as its parent, designing cool cars is a given, but by also shining with everything from consumer electronics and gaming to aviation and medical devices, DesignworksUSA truly sets itself apart.''

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