BMW is to unveil its first-ever diesel coupe next March – although it will be a further year before a right hand drive version is available. The BMW 330Cd will feature the new 3-litre diesel delivering 204bhp, which represents an extra 20bhp on the current 3-litre diesel offering.
BMW is set to unveil its new xActivity fwd concept vehicle at the Detroit Motor Show on 5 January. The sports activity vehicle - which will be denoted X3 - combines X5 looks but with a unique frame-structure convertible roof.
Around £30m-worth of manufacturer-owned BMW, Volvos and Saab cars were consigned to the deep following Saturday's collision between two ships in the English Channel. The Norwegian-registered Tricolour containing the 2,862 cars sank 30 miles east of Ramsgate.
BMW's Mini is subject to another recall. This time, 26,000 owners of right hand drive models built before June have been contacted. The recall is for a handbrake problem and follows instances of vehicles rolling away after being parked.
BMW is giving Internet users a fly-on-the-wall view of the Mini production process at Oxford via its www.mini.co.uk website. The 12-minute time-lapse video covers the entire production process.
BMW chief executive Helmut Panke has scotched rumours that the prestige carmaker is to build new Mini derivatives on a joint platform with PSA/Peugeot-Citroen. Rumours began when the opportunities for BMW to benefit from Peugeot's low cost small car production expertise were put forward on Monday by Goldman Sachs.
BMW GB dealers are gearing up for growth as the carmaker prepares to build on record sales this year by setting ambitious sales targets for 2003 - buoyed by the current strong demand for BMW product in the UK marketplace.
The fact that the Z4 is so radical is important. The car it half replaces, the disappointing Z3, drew a withering storm of hairdresser jibes. The radical looks of the Z4 are BMW's way of telling us that this is going to be different: this car will be every bit as good to drive as it is demanding to look at.
A positive market reaction to the new MINI is the key factor in a 19 per cent rise in car sales in the first 10 months of 2002, BMW has reported. The Munich firm said it had sold 891,100 cars up to the end of October, compared with 750,300 the previous year, while sales in October alone rose nine per cent to 85,300.
The Honda Accord may lack the charisma to be a credible Audi A4 or BMW 3-series rival, but the well-built and good-driving Accord is great value for families.
Following the launch of the 7-series, which attracted criticism for its controversial design, BMW unveils the next car to reveal chief designer Chris Bangle's vision for the brand.
Pluto-barges are popping up like friends after a lottery win. What with BMW unleashing the dare-to-be-different 7-series with Valvetronic V8s and controversial I-Drive, and Mercedes revising the S-class - default choice of company directors and diplomats across the globe - with new engines, air suspension and a modest amount of body massaging, there's never been a better choice of limo.
Dealer networks could be downsized as leading carmakers tackle the changes that block exemption is heralding. Industry sources reveal major marques such as Audi, BMW and Mini will use the chance to issue new franchising contracts as a way of stripping out “rogue” retailers from their networks.
Who said the 21st century would be filled with small, anonymous, economical commuter cars? Within weeks of Volkswagen Group coyly announcing hand-built copies of the Queen's new Bentley state limousine could be ordered from Crewe, and as BMW puts the finishing touches on its huge new Rolls-Royce, DaimlerChrysler gave the media a preview of its all-new Maybach uber-luxury saloon in New York.
If buyers want an off-roader they should get a Land Rover. The BMW X5 satisfies a completely different set of requirements - image and style.
The Mini is not an average supermini - it comes with emotional weight and head-turning style as standard. It's a highly successful formula, with year to date sales for the Mini One, sportier Mini Cooper and quick Cooper S (launched in June) approaching 20,000 units.
Ten per cent of the 100-plus BMW Approved repairer network estimators who failed a tough certification test are having their training needs reassessed by their managers. All are expected to resit the examination, which is part of the Audatex Fast Track Certification course.
Volkswagen Group boss Bernd Pischetsrieder is no stranger to controversy. Just a few years ago, when he was running BMW, he stood up at the British International Motor Show and delivered a stinging criticism of Rover - just as the 75 saloon was being launched. Experts believe it effectively damaged sales.
BMW 5-series remains a top retail choice after six years in the showroom. Even 1996 cars look fresh, and they're now less than half the price of their newer counterparts - making as little as £10k for an average mileage 520i on 96P.
The Mercedes CLK and BMW 3-series coupe are far rarer than the saloons on which they're based, but they still attract a high level of interest from buyers. Cars with leather trim, climate control and metallic are most sought after.
