» BMW Announces Best Dealerships for 2010 |
BMW Announces Best Dealerships for 2010
 BMW announced the names of its top performing dealerships in the U.S. This year, 24 out of 338 BMW dealers nationwide were awarded the "2010 Center of Excellence" (COE). The Centers were selected based on the criteria of customer satisfaction, outstanding brand representation, operational excellence and profitability.
While all of the award recipients did well in providing quality service, some 2010 winners continue to exceed the expectations of their customers winning the COE multiple times. A few note worthy dealer accomplishments include Reeves Import Motorcars, Inc. in Tampa, FL for achieving COE nine years; East Bay BMW in Pleasanton, CA and Flow BMW in Winston Salem, NC for winning the award a total of eight times; and Isringhausen Imports in Springfield, IL for winning the award seven times. Additionally, Global Imports has won the COE award for seven consecutive years and Hendrick BMW has won for six consecutive years.
Despite the challenging economy, BMW's dealer network continues to invest in their sales facilities and workshops spending $340 million in 2009 alone. Dealers recognize the benefits of refining their business processes and focusing on top-tier customer service making BMW one of the most successful franchises in the U.S.
"All BMW dealerships offer a premium experience to our customers, but the 24 Center of Excellence winners excelled in the way they take care of their customers and represent the BMW brand," said Peter Miles, Executive Vice President of Operations, BMW of North America, LLC. "It's a highly coveted award and our top dealers worked hard all year to achieve this high honor - we congratulate them."
2010 Center of Excellence Award Recipients
New Century BMW - Alhambra, CA,
East Bay BMW - Pleasanton, CA
South Motors BMW - Miami, FL
Reeves Import Motorcars, Inc. - Tampa, FL
Global Imports - Atlanta, GA
Isringhausen Imports - Springfield, IL
Dreyer & Reinbold, Inc. - Indianapolis, IN
Sunbelt BMW - Meridian, MS
Hendrick BMW - Charlotte, NC
Flow BMW - Winston Salem, NC
DeSimone BMW of Mount Laurel - Mount Laurel, NJ
... [Read More]
|
|
posted on Mar 11, 2010 - 2:55 PM by tim330i
|
|
» BMW BMW M3 (E90/E92) Gets Competition Package and Stop-Start in the Spring of 2010 |
BMW M3 (E90/E92) Gets Competition Package and Stop-Start in the Spring of 2010
 More driving pleasure, reduced emissions: this principle of the development strategy BMW EfficientDynamics applies equally at the very highest level of performance. As of spring 2010, the high-performance model BMW M3 consistently combines its outstanding driving performance figures with further reduced fuel consumption and exhaust emission levels. The range of BMW EfficientDynamics measures fitted as standard in the models BMW M3 Coupé, BMW M3 Convertible and BMW M3 Sedan is now to be supplemented with the Auto Start Stop Function. This reduces the average fuel consumption and CO2 levels of the BMW M3 by up to 8 percent. In order to further hone the outstandingly sporty profile of the model there will also be a Competition Package available as of spring 2010.
Auto Start Stop - for the first time in conjunction with a dual clutch transmission
The BMW M3 achieves its outstanding performance with impressive efficiency. Its 4.0 litre V8 high-revving engine mobilizes 414 horsepower and 295 ft/lbs enabling superior acceleration response due to its unique propulsion. In addition to its fascinating performance characteristics, the 8-cylinder engine - developed exclusively for the BMW M3 - is characterized by an unusually high degree of efficiency. Additional efficiency potential is now tapped into with the Auto Start Stop Function. This helps the drive avoid idling phases when stopping at junctions or in congested traffic. In order to prevent unnecessary fuel consumption the engine is switched off when the vehicle comes to a halt. As soon as the driver wishes to continue driving, the engine is re-activated without delay.
 The Auto Start Stop Function is used both in vehicles with standard 6-speed manual transmission and in conjunction with the M dual clutch transmission with Drivelogic. The BMW M3 is thus the first model - along with the BMW ActiveHybrid X6 and the BMW ActiveHybrid 7 - to use this efficiency-enhancing measure in combination with an automated manual transmission.
The increase in efficiency brought about by the Auto Start Stop Function is up to 8... [Read More]
|
|
posted on Mar 05, 2010 - 1:53 PM by tim330i
|
|
» BMW M3 ALMS cars get New "Story of Joy" Livery Design |
BMW M3 ALMS cars get New "Story of Joy" Livery Design
 BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team began the 2010 American Le Mans season with a new livery on both BMW M3 racing cars, helping to tell BMW’s worldwide Story of Joy. The 2010 BMW M3 GT debuted at the traditional pre-season ALMS Winter Test in Sebring, Florida. The new livery features words and phrases emblematic of the spirit of the campaign, which was launched in North America on February 12th during coverage of the Opening Ceremony of the XXI Winter Olympic Games.
“Story of Joy” introduces a new creative aesthetic characterized by strong, colorful images often conveying people and their experiences with the subtlest of references to BMW products punctuated by various three-word headlines leading off with “Joy Is…”
“These days, there isn’t much chance for a winter break but our crew certainly earned what little vacation time they got,” said Martin Birkmann, BMW of North America Motorsport Manager. “Now, since the turn of the new year we’ve been getting ready to start what we expect will be a great second season. Car construction is complete, testing has begun, and everyone is excited. We look forward to giving BMW fans a good show at the Winter Test and of course the legendary 12-Hour event next month. For 2010, we have created the Joy livery as a special tribute to our most enthusiastic fans, as they have helped us define the joy of driving and racing in the US for 35 years.”
"In the spirit of the new BMW philosophy, all of us at the team share tremendous joy in getting the 2010 season underway,” said Bobby Rahal. “While we certainly had a successful inaugural season in 2009, everyone connected with the program has kept pushing throughout the winter months to make the BMW M3 the best car it can possibly be, and striving to meet the standards of excellence that are associated with BMW and Rahal Letterman Racing."
2010 will see the return of BMW’s celebrated inaugural-season pilots, with Bill Auberlen and Tommy Milner sharing the No. 92 M3, and Joey Hand with Dirk Müller co-driving the No. 90 M3. For this two-day test at Sebring, BMW Motorsport driver Dirk Werner has been invited to assist.
In its 2010 season, BMW of North America celebrates the 35th anniversary of the company’s March 1975 incorporation, as... [Read More]
|
|
posted on Feb 23, 2010 - 8:31 AM by tim330i
|
|
» BMW US Reports Increase of 7.7% for January 2010 Sales |
BMW US Reports Increase of 7.7% for January 2010 Sales
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.
“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.”
One the used car side, sales of BMW’s Certified Pre-Owned vehicles were down 25.6 percent, to 7,443 CPO vehicles versus 10,007 vehicles in January 2009. Despite a industry-wide slow start coming out of the 2010 gate, BMW’s used car business expects to hold their own this year.
Table: Sales BMW of North America, LLC, January 2010
|
|
posted on Feb 03, 2010 - 10:56 AM by tim330i
|
|
» New BMW Art Car Coming |
New BMW Art Car Coming
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.
Koons will join an illustrious group of artists that include Andy Warhol, David Hockney, Jenny Holzer, Roy Lichtenstein, Frank Stella, Robert Rauschenberg, and Alexander Calder – each of whom has made a unique artistic statement about the appearance and meaning of cars.
The Koons BMW Art Car will be revealed later in the year, stay tuned to E90Fanatics - E90 - E91 - E92 - E93 - M3 for details and pictures!
Koons and BMW
The germination of the idea began in 2003, when Koons expressed his desire to create a BMW Art Car. His relationship with BMW started over two decades ago when he drove a BMW while residing in Munich, home to the BMW Group headquarters. Koons is known for his heartfelt appreciation of cars. Earlier this year he was even recognized by music icon Bono of U2 as the one of the ideal artists to design a car that would make the world fall in love with automobiles again.
“We are enormously pleased about Jeff Koons’ eagerly anticipated contribution to the BMW Art Car series, celebrating its 35th anniversary,” said Frank-Peter Arndt, member of the Board of Management for the BMW AG and responsible for BMW Group’s international cultural formats. “Art Cars are part of the DNA of BMW’s cultural engagement. As manifested in Koons’ latest sculptural work, what unites us is the belief that nothing is impossible. Our company and Jeff Koons are drawn to permanent innovation and cutting-edge technology.”
BMW Art Cars
Since 1975, artists from throughout the world have turned BMW automobiles into art signifying a particular period through the Art Car program. In 2007, the latest installment was revealed with Olafur Eliasson’s “Your... [Read More]
|
|
posted on Feb 03, 2010 - 10:47 AM by tim330i
|
|
» Online Users: 28 |
| 0 members and 28 guests |
| No Members online |
| Most users ever online was 685, 07-07-2009 at 02:33 AM. |
|
» Stats |
Members: 7,830
Threads: 4,998
Posts: 51,355
Top Poster: Night Hawk (9,066)
|
| Welcome to our newest member, Archie |
|
|
» Site Navigation |
|
|
|
» Featured Sponsors |
|
|
|
» Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
» Recent Blogs |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
E90Fanatics - E90 - E91 - E92 - E93 - M3
