Archive for December 2008

BMW Z4 Design: Interior

Sections: E89 Z4 Roadster, Video Dec 24th, 2008 6 Comments

In this episode BMW TV takes a look at the Z4′s interior design.

BMW NA Increases Prices for January

Sections: Official News, Sales/Marketing Dec 23rd, 2008 5 Comments

BMW of North America, LLC announced today an average price increase of 0.7 percent for BMW vehicles sold in the U.S. effective January 1, 2009. This action is driven by the ongoing structural and economical changes in the market place. It will ensure revenue generation for the company’s U.S. operations and help to protect the quality of business.

Pricing for the new Advanced Diesel vehicles remain unchanged. The all new 335d and X5 xDrive35d were launched recently and have begun arriving at BMW Centers this month.

In addition, BMW announced pricing for the new 2009 7 Series that debuted recently at the Los Angeles International Auto Show. The base price for the 750i is $81,125 and the 750Li is 85,025 (including $825 for destination and handling). Both models began production in November and will arrive at BMW Centers in the spring.

See attached for new BMW pricing for model year 2009 vehicles.

+ 2009 Pricing / Official BMW USA PDF

BMW TV Drives the X5 M(!)

Sections: //X5 M\\, Video Dec 22nd, 2008 4 Comments

First there was a test drive with a German automotive magazine and now BMW continues with is unprecedented openness of the X5 M with an actual video of a test mule. Forget spyshots and hearsay, this is the real deal.

Calendar: New BMW 7 (Der Neue BMW 7er)

Sections: Accessories, F01 7 Series Dec 21st, 2008 No Comments

For all of you fans of the new 7 Series there is now something you can gawk at when trying figure out what day of the week it is besides the wallpaper on your computer monitor. “Der neue BMW 7er” (the new BMW 7 series) calendar features 13 photos, taken by Jonathan Spira, of a BMW 730d throughout Germany, Austria and Slovenia.

It includes U.S., German, Austrian, Christian and Jewish holidays for 2009. Some of those holidays will definitely be helpful when planning your next European Delivery! The photos featured include those from inside and outside of the car as well as the scenery of the 1600 km trip.

It would make an excellent choice for those of you looking to replace your current 2008 calendar or as a late holiday gift for all of the procrastinators out there (myself included)!

A full interactive preview is available here

BMW to Further Cut Production

Sections: In the Press, Sales/Marketing Dec 21st, 2008 1 Comment

It looks as though BMW may be slowing production even more. Whatever they must do to weather the economic storm is fine by us; as long as the cars they do produce are up to the current standards. Severe cost cutting by dropping items and features should be used as a last resort so the Roundel is not tarnished. BMW is going to have to work hard at managing supply and demand in order make it through this patch of slow sales.

FRANKFURT (Reuters) – The world’s top premium carmaker BMW (BMWG.DE) could further cut its production levels and take other cost-saving measures if the auto sector remains in crisis, BMW sales and marketing head Ian Robertson told a German magazine.

He said BMW’S Rolls Royce unit had only been slightly affected by the economic downturn and the automaker stood by its target that Rolls Royce’s annual unit sales would be about double current levels at 2,000 vehicles in 2010.

BMW Loses Suit Against Chinese Knock-Off

Sections: E53 X5 Dec 19th, 2008 6 Comments

Remember that X5 clone that BMW sued to get off Italian roads earlier this year? BMW has lost it’s case and the CEO (as it’s called) built by Shuanghuan Automobile will continue to be sold in Italy. 117 were registered in Italy during 2007 and another 300 were delivered to dealers this year. Obviously it’s not a huge threat to BMW but an unfortunate precedent has been set by this verdict.

Here’s an excerpt from the Automotive News article on the verdict:

“We are convinced the CEO wasn’t a clone of the X5. We are happy to see our view supported by a court ruling,” said Viviana Martinelli, spokeswoman for Milan-based Martin Motors, which is Shuanghuan’s European distributor.

Our verdict? Ridiculous.

+ BMW loses Chinese clone court action / Automotive News.

Z4: Is Weight Really an Issue?

Sections: E52 Z8, E89 Z4 Roadster, Opinion Dec 19th, 2008 21 Comments

I think many of us enthusiasts have been urging BMW (as well as others) to produce lighter more agile cars while at the same time we do not realize how far things have in fact come. Cars have become lighter, given us more options and safety at the same time.

This leads to the question is the new Z4 really all that heavy? For a brief comparison of sorts lets take the famed Z8 for starters and then the new Z4. The Z8 was (still is to some) the top of the line BMW model not only in performance but style. The Z4 has always had these same intentions.

BMW at the Paris Motor Show (Video Recap)

Sections: E84 X1, F01 7 Series, Video Dec 19th, 2008 No Comments

A quick look back at the Paris show with Chris Bangle and BMW Web TV.