Bridgestone Run-flats OE on BMW Z4
Bridgestone is to supply its Potenza RE050 RFT run-flat tyres as OE on the new BMW Z4 roadster. Four sizes will be offered, to accommodate different engine sizes and vehicle configurations.
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42-Volt Prototype From Lithium Technology
Product NewsLithium Technology Corporation, has announced that together with its German lithium polymer battery company partner, GAIA, the two companies have completed and shipped their first prototype 42-Volt automotive battery to BMW under the auspices of the European Union-sponsored “Astor” program (Assessments and testing of advanced storage systems for propulsion and other electrical systems in passenger cars). The Astor consortium consists of seven European auto companies: VW, BMW, DaimlerChrysler, Opel, Fiat, Volvo, and Peugeot. The prototype lithium battery, which is now undergoing testing in Europe, delivers 7-8 kiloWatts of power at ambient temperatures, with a capacity of 27 Amp-hours, a pulse power capability of up to 6 kiloWatts for starting at an operating temperature of -25 degrees C, and an estimated life of 8 years. The battery is designed to meet the 42-Volt battery specifications of the Astor project.
BMW: Buy
Product NewsAnalysts class BMW shares as the best investment among German car companies, with a price rate of 62 Euros. Although the economic forecast for this year was rather negative, BMW reported good sales last month in the USA.
Last Roller Rolls Off Crewe Production Line
Product NewsThe last Rolls-Royce to be made at the factory in Crewe has rolled off the production line, marking the end of 56 years of manufacture of the luxury car at the plant. In future, Rolls-Royces will be made at BMW’s factory in West Sussex and the Crewe plant will be renamed Bentley Motors Ltd. next month. The final vehicle was a unique two-door Silver Storm convertible Corniche, worth an estimated 250,000 Pounds.
PSA And BMW To Develop Engine
Product NewsBMW and PSA (Peugeot-Citroen) are to jointly develop a new family of small petrol engines, with a target of one million units. The base for the project will be Munich and R&D will come from BMW, with PSA handling production and procurement. The total investment is said to be 750 million Euro.
Recall For BMW 5-Series
Product NewsBMW in North America is in the process of recalling around 1,300 of its 2002 5-series cars with standard suspension and fitted with ContiTouringContact CH95 EcoPlus tyres, 225/65R16 95H, with DOT Codes 4001, 4101, and 4201. The outer sidewall surface of the tyres could have been damaged by a sharp object and the cars are being recalled as a precautionary measure. Dealers will replace the damaged tyres free of charge.
Minis For US Market On Goodyear Run-Flats
Product NewsThe new Mini Cooper and Mini Cooper S cars, now made by BMW, are due to arrive on the US market in March. The cars will be fitted with Goodyear NCT 5 EMT run-flat tyres, manufactured in Fulda, Germany. The tyre size is 195/55 VR15.
VW Sets Aside DM 1bn For ELVD
Product NewsThe European End of Life Vehicle directive (ELVD), due to come into force in 2007, has threatened to be expensive for car manufacturers. Just how expensive is shown by press reports that Volkswagen has announced that it will be setting aside DM 1 bn in order to comply. BMW has already set aside half this figure and Daimler/Chrysler up to DM 400 m. Other manufacturers are expected to wait until next year
Williams-BMW Successful Because Of Michelin Tyres
Product NewsFormula 1 Champion Michael Schumacher believes that the secret of the Williams-BMW team lies in the Michelin tyres. Michelin seems to have done a good job so that Williams-BMW has become competitive, the Ferrari driver told La Gazzetta dello Sport, during team testing in Mugello. “I would have thought that Bridgestone’s advantage would have lasted longer”, said the German, who has Bridgestone tyres on his Ferrari, whereas brother Ralf uses Michelin tyres on the Williams-BMW.
Phoenix And BMW Sign Contract
Product NewsThe Phoenix consortium and BMW have signed a deal to sell Rover to Phoenix. BMW has contributed £500 million to the deal and additional finance has been obtained by American company Burdale Financial. It is expected that 2,000 jobs will be lost, which is fewer than would have been lost under the plan of Alchemy Partners who had pulled out of talks with BMW recently.
Surgery For The English Patient
Product NewsThe news that BMW was going to sell its loss-making (1999 losses alone were 1 billion Euros) subsidiary Rover provoked an understandably strong reaction in Britain. Some estimated that 50,000 jobs (including those of suppliers) could be lost and BMW’s name was mud with workers, unions and the British Government, which accused BMW of lying. Undeterred, BMW began breaking up the Rover group, selling Land Rover to Ford for 3 billion Euros and the Longbridge car factory to venture capitalists Alchemy Partners, with BMW writing off debts of £2 million. BMW is retaining the factory at Cowley, where the new Mini will be made. Alchemy plans to re-name Rover as MG Cars and to move away from volume production to make sports cars and sports saloons. This would keep the Longbridge factory open, but with a much reduced workforce. Amid the thousands of paragraphs criticising BMW, some industry pundits have questioned the vulnerability of the German group and there are rumours of larger companies (VW and Ford are two who have been mentioned) sniffing around BMW. The major shareholder in BMW is the Quandt family, whose members insist that the company will remain independent. More details in the April issue of TYRES & ACCESSORIES.
Forward Strategy From Hayes Lemmerz
Product NewsHayes Lemmerz International is going to acquire the Schenk foundry in Germany in order to expand its suspension presence in Europe. Klaus Jünger, President European Chassis Components Group said that “this is an excellent base for our expansion in Europe.” Major customers of Schenk are Audi, BMW, Opel and Porsche.
German Insurer “Allianz” To Sponsor Formula 1 Team
Product NewsThe German insurance company “Allianz” wants to become involved in Formula 1. As the newspaper Die Welt announced recently, Aliens wants to sponsor the Williams-BMW team. Already with the coming German Grand Prix in two weeks at the Nürburgring, the company label will be on the racing car of the British team. It was mentioned that the insurance intends to invest 50 million DM (£16.3 million) in the team of Ralf Schuhmacher and Jensen Button.
Strong Car Sales In USA
Product NewsSales up till July seem to be in line with last year’s strong performance. Ford is one of the winners, GM is stagnating and Chrysler heavily losing market share. BMW, Porsche and some of the Japanese and Korean car manufacturers are performing particularly well.
Mixed Fortunes For BMW In UK
Product NewsPerhaps as a backlash following the BMW/Rover situation, and aided by lower prices for Mercedes and Audi, UK sales of BMW cars fell 20% in April. Sales of Rover cars rose 500% as Rover and its dealers acted to clear stocks because of the uncertain situation.
