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» BMW Invests $750 Million in US Spartanburg Plant |
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Mar 10, 2008 - 1:22 PM - by tim330i
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BMW GROUP INVESTS $750 MILLION IN US SPARTANBURG PLANT
Capacity will increase to 240,000 vehicles by 2012
Spartanburg, USA. The BMW Group is investing US$ 750 million in an expansion of its Spartanburg plant. The move will raise production capacity from 160,000 to 240,000 units by 2012 and boost the company's total investment in the plant to US$ 4.2 billion. The plant will grow in size by 140,000 m² - or 60 percent - to 370,000 m², and 500 new jobs will be created on site.
The expansion will also lead to a hike in purchase and export volumes into and out of the NAFTA region, which will contribute considerably to the BMW Group's natural hedging strategy.
After the expansion, the Spartanburg plant will manufacture the BMW X3, X5 and X6 models for world markets. "Centralizing our know-how for BMW X models in Spartanburg will enable us to work even more efficiently going forward. In addition, it was a logical step for the BMW Group as a global player to increase production capacity in its largest market," said BMW AG Board Member Frank-Peter Arndt.
The three-year construction project includes a new 112,000 m² assembly facility to accommodate the next generation of the BMW X3. The existing Body Shop will be modernised to prepare for the demands of the future, while the Paint Shop will expand by 28,000 m², or 80 per cent.
"The boost in production capacity will positively impact the logistics, suppliers and distribution networks that support the manufacturing processes," said Josef Kerscher, President of BMW Manufacturing Co. While the supplier network may grow, existing supplier companies will ramp up operations to provide automotive parts for the higher production levels, doubling parts container traffic and significantly increasing exports through the Port of Charleston.
When the BMW Group announced in 1992 that it would build its first full manufacturing facility outside of Germany in South Carolina, it put forward some ambitious plans. The company was looking to invest US$ 600 million. Its aim was to c... [Read More]
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» BMW Returns To ALMS With The Latest Generation M3 |
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Feb 06, 2008 - 5:37 PM - by tim330i
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BMW RETURNS TO ALMS WITH THE LATEST GENERATION BMW M3
BMW of North America to partner with Rahal Letterman Racing for 2009 season
Chicago, IL/Woodcliff Lake, NJ - BMW presented the racing version of the new BMW M3 at the Chicago Auto Show. Powered by a 485 bhp eight cylinder engine, this impressive race car has been designed to compete in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) beginning in 2009. The car is based on the fourth generation of the BMW M3, the high-performance sports car produced by BMW M GmbH.
BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen says: "With the sporting genes of the production BMW M3 being clearly evident, developing a racing version of the car was the next logical step. The fact that the road-going vehicle is fitted with a V8 engine as standard provided us with an ideal base. However, the BMW M3 is more than a race car, it has achieved legendary status amongst race fans across the globe. I am convinced that this unique story of the BMW M3 racing cars will now be expanded upon by the addition of further chapters."
BMW's 2009 entry into the American Le Mans Series will be driven by a partnership between BMW of North America, LLC and Rahal Letterman Racing, co-owned by US motorsport legend Bobby Rahal.
"We are very pleased to be returning to the American Le Mans Series with our latest generation BMW M3," states Tom Purves, Chairman and CEO, BMW of North America. "Sports car racing has been part of BMW of North America's history practically from day one. Just two weeks after the company was incorporated in March 1975, a BMW CSL won the Twelve Hours of Sebring. We are confident that the fourth generation M3 will continue the legacy of its two predecessors which combined to win six manufacturer's championships over nine seasons in US sports car racing. As it has been in the past we believe the ALMS is the ideal venue to showcase the potential of the newest BMW M3."
Echoing that sentiment Bobby Rahal adds, "BMW has an illustrious racing heritage. Rahal Letterman Racing is eagerly anticipating, not only becoming part of that heritage, but helping ... [Read More]
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» Press Kit: The New BMW M3 Convertible |
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Feb 02, 2008 - 10:14 AM - by tim330i
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PRESS KIT: THE NEW BMW M3 CONVERTIBLE
The BMW M3 model family is being upgraded by yet another fascinating player: The new BMW M3 Convertible, the third body version of BMW's high-performance sports car following the Coupé and Saloon, offers new possibilities to experience uncompromising driving dynamics.
The complete Text for this press kit is available for downloading here -> http://www.E90Fanatics.com/pdf/The-N...-Press-Kit.pdf
Third body version of the new BMW M3; high-performance convertible from BMW M GmbH unique in its design and technical features; developed on the basis of the BMW 3 Series Convertible; consistent orientation to the high-performance character typical of BMW M, as with the BMW M3 Coupé and the BMW M3 Saloon. Car concept with a consistent, unique tradition: Fourth generation of both the BMW M3 Convertible and the BMW M3 Coupé.
Unique combination of outstanding driving dynamics with aesthetic looks, unparalleled experience of open-air motoring and superior everyday driving qualities in that special combination specific to BMW M. Electrohydraulically operated retractable hardtop ensuring supreme performance in the BMW M3 Convertible with nothing but the sky above.
Authentic BMW M design as the expression of superior drive power; aluminium engine lid with striking powerdome; characteristic front end with large air intakes; powerfully flared wheel arches; specific BMW M interpretation of the classic lines of a BMW Convertible with its dynamically stretched silhouette, low waistline and muscular, low-slung rear end; gill elements in the front side walls; M-specific side sills contoured even more specifically towards the rear of the car as a visual tribute to rear-wheel drive; rear air dam with diffuser optimising the flow of air beneath the car; dual tailpipes typical of BMW M.
Exclusive driving experience: The unique power and performance of a BMW M3 combined with an incomparably intense experience of the sun and wind uni... [Read More]
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» The New M Double-clutch Transmission With Drivelogic |
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Jan 19, 2008 - 1:46 PM - by tim330i
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THE NEW M DOUBLE-CLUTCH TRANSMISSION WITH DRIVELOGIC
BMW M GmbH is proud to be the world's first car maker now offering a seven-speed Double Clutch Gearbox specially conceived and designed for a high-speed power unit. Compared with all conventional systems available so far, this new gearbox ensures an optimum gearshift and even more dynamic acceleration, and at the same time reduces fuel consumption by a significant margin.
The complete Text for this press kit is available for viewing in PDF format here -> http://www.E90Fanatics.com/pdf/BMW-M...ansmission.pdf
The world's first Double Clutch Gearbox conceived and developed for a high-speed power unit; gearshift without interruption of power and traction; gearshift management with M-specific configuration; seven gears for optimum gear increments ensuring particularly dynamic acceleration; simultaneous debut in the BMW M3 Coupé, BMW M3 Saloon,
and BMW M3 Convertible.
Drivelogic with eleven electronically controlled driving programs in M-specific set-up; five shift programs in the automatic mode, six shift programs in the manual mode including Launch Control for maximum acceleration from a standstill; efficiency-enhancing transmission control in the automatic mode; sequential gear selection in the manual mode.
Fourth, consistently enhanced generation of the automated manual gearbox in M-specific configuration; further enhancement of the car's dynamic driving characteristics and the motorsport-oriented driving experience; manual gear selection by sports selector lever or via paddles on the steering wheel; both control elements in M-specific configuration and set-up; Shift Lights.
Perfect interaction of the M double-clutch transmission with Drivelogic
and the V8 power unit in the new BMW M3; measurable and tangible improvement of acceleration; optional sporting downshift performance with in-between gas.
Elaborate cooling of transmission fluid as the prerequi... [Read More]
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» BMW M3 Coupe and Sedan Pricing at 2008 Detroit International Auto Show |
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Jan 14, 2008 - 6:55 AM - by pix335i
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Pricing Announced for the 2008 BMW M3 Coupe and Sedan
Woodcliff Lake, NJ - During its press conference today at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, BMW announced the pricing for the highly anticipated 2008 M3 Coupe and M3 Sedan. When the vehicles go on sale in March, the Coupe will be priced at $57,275 and the Sedan at $54,575. Sharing the high-revving 414-horsepower V8 and balanced chassis designed to be "faster than its engine," this March, BMW M GmbH will offer the most powerful, best performing series production M3s to the North American market.
The all-new 2008 M3 Coupe and M3 Sedan-the fourth generation of compact sport vehicles which set the standard in minimizing any compromises between race-inspired performance and luxury and convenience-feature the first V8 in a series-production BMW M3. They also feature driver-adjustable settings for crucial dynamic controls encompassing engine response, steering, damping and stability (with an available steering-wheel-mounted "MDrive" button to store the preferences) and a sumptuous interior which can be optimized to the driver's desires including the comprehensive entertainment/navigation system operated through BMW's latest iDrive controller.
Additionally, the 2008 M3 Coupe is the first production vehicle in its segment with a carbon fiber reinforced roof. The material shares the same safety properties as steel, but is four times lighter. Weighing around 11 lbs. less than a standard steel roof and approximately 44 lbs. less than a steel roof incorporating a moonroof, the carbon fiber reinforced roof provides significant weight saving at the highest point of the car-lowering the car's center of gravity-to increase agility and responsiveness while limiting dive and roll in turns.
Racing provided the reason for the original M3's 1986 creation as the company had to produce road-going homologation versions of its 3 Series Coupe to enter the motorsports version in the German Touring Car Championship. The original M3's popularity provided the impetus to continue developing the M3, making it both a better... [Read More]
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