Hot! BMW AG: What's Next

[Beemer B773ER]

Ouch....





... it has though ....



.... but I take your point

Has it? Other than the Spa 24, has it won any other races? Maybe the VLN series?

 

[Matski]

Has it? Other than the Spa 24, has it won any other races? Maybe the VLN series?

I did a bit of research about this a while ago because I was going to write a post/thread about it... but I procrastinate too much.. so I'm going to be lazy and steal the summary I wrote somewhere else:

The M6 GT has garnered somewhat of a bad rap because it's highest profile performance in the IMSA series in North America has been undeniably poor. Although in the secondary IMSA GTD class Tuner Motorsport got on the podium 4 times including 2 wins. Away from the USA, it's had some success. Looking back at 2016,

It won the International GT open series last year notching up 4 wins along the way.

It won the Total 24 hours of Spa in the Blancpain Endurance Series, though out of 4 cars it did not record any other wins in either Blancpain Sprint or Endurance series'.

It's had 1 win and three other podiums in the GT300 class of Japanese Super GT.

In the German VLN series, a series dedicated to 4 hour endurance races on the Nürburgring, it had 2 wins, 3 P2's, and 5 P3's... this is more podiums than any other brand although Audi did win 4 races. Whilst Mercedes took the 24hr Nürburgring event they took only 2 wins and 4 other podium finishes during VLN season.

It failed to deliver any worthy results in the Australian GT, or Endurance Championships, though it was not entered for more than half the races.

In the Italian GT championship it lost out to the national favourites Ferrari and Lamborghini, and to Audi, but it did record 2 wins, 1 P2 and 1 P3... doesn't sound like much but to be honest the last win of the season at Mugello was taken by Alex Zanardi, driving for Roberto Ravaglia... and if that's not an emotional win for motorsport fans as well as for BMW fans, I don't know what is.

In the European Eset V4 Cup it recorded 1 win and a couple of other podiums out of 6 races in the Endurance cup, and 1 win and 1 second place out of 6 races in the Sprint cup. Interestingly, this is the only example I know of where the older Z4GT3 out performed the newer M6 GT3 in the same series, in the same year (it took 2 wins in the Endurance Cup).

It achieved 1 third place in the 4 races of the Asian Le Mans Series.

It failed to deliver any meaningful result in the German ADAC GT Masters championship.

So, not stellar, but it could have been worse for its first year. We'll see how 2016 develops.

 

[maragulon]

I found something interesting:

BMW registered trademark 'X8' 16 Nov '16 and BMW Personal CoPilot 07 mar '17: http://app.iponz.govt.nz/app/Extra/IP/Mutual/Browse.aspx?sid=636319541575261356

 

[Beemer B773ER]

I did a bit of research about this a while ago because I was going to write a post/thread about it... but I procrastinate too much.. so I'm going to be lazy and steal the summary I wrote somewhere else:

Thanks for the summary Matski, that's some impressive research!!

To cut the M6 racecar some slack, it was developed to its optimum potential due in part to the failure of the GT3/GTE rules convergence.

It has been a tough couple of years being a BMW motorsports fan in the US. After the fantastic M3 GT2, the Z4 and M6 just don't have it week in and week out.

 

[Matski]

Thanks for the summary Matski, that's some impressive research!!

To cut the M6 racecar some slack, it was developed to its optimum potential due in part to the failure of the GT3/GTE rules convergence.

It has been a tough couple of years being a BMW motorsports fan in the US. After the fantastic M3 GT2, the Z4 and M6 just don't have it week in and week out.

Thanks, I might still make a thread to track its progress... but that'll be another time.

I'm pretty sure that performance of BMW GT is inversely proportional to the amount of waivers granted to get it to GTE spec... the M3 had lots, the Z4 had some, and the M6 doesn't have as many - and the cars are getting less competitive for it.

What they need to do is build a sports car, then take it sports car racing. We'll see how the M8 GTE does in that respect, but they've already been told they can't reduce the body height by 100mm as per their intention, so clearly they're still trying to bend the rules.

I actually do love the M6 as a race car, but it's not great. I'm looking forward to the M8 GTE, enough that I've been looking at booking flights for January so I can see it in the flesh at the Daytona Rolex 24.

 

[EnI]

BMW wins license to export from China

Christiaan Hetzner
Automotive News Europe
May 31, 2017 06:01 CET

SHENYANG, China -- BMW Group has been granted a license by Chinese authorities to export vehicles manufactured by its local joint venture BMW Brilliance, opening up the possibility of China-built BMWs being sold to customers in Europe or the U.S.

German premium automakers have steadily expanded production in China at their joint ventures with local companies but plans to export vehicles so far have not been on the agenda, in part because cars from China have a poor reputation for safety and reliability in Western markets.

BMW now believes the quality of cars produced in China has reached the level of those built in Germany or the U.S.

"We have an export license for the JV but so far we haven't decided on exports since we need the production for the local market," said Olaf Kastner, head of BMW in China.

BMW built just over 300,000 vehicles last year at its two Chinese factories in Dadong and Tiexi, located 700 km (435 miles) east of Beijing on the outskirts of Shenyang near the North Korean border.

Volumes have more than doubled since 2012, as the company added compact models such as the 2-series Active Tourer minivan and X1 SUV to production of 3- and 5-series sedans.

BMW Brilliance's capacity in both plants has just been increased to 450,000 cars annually with an expansion of the Dadong factory.

Next year a sixth model, the X3, will begin running off the lines in Dadong, making it the third assembly plant where the SUV is built alongside lead plant Spartanburg in the U.S. and in BMW’s factory in Rosslyn, South Africa.

Perhaps one model that may make most sense to export is the 1-series compact sedan, which is built in Tiexi and currently only sold in China. Given the country is the world’s largest market for full-electric vehicles, these could also be an option, especially since construction is underway to include high-voltage battery manufacturing in the joint venture's powertrain plant, BMW's only engine factory outside of Europe.

For the moment, however, BMW says is has no plans since "everything is still being absorbed” locally, Kastner said.

When asked why BMW spent 12 months acquiring the license, if it has no plans to export from China, a source who declined to be named because he was not authorized to speak publicly about the matter said politicians had pushed and prodded the automaker into applying for one.

"It's the government's declared goal to foster vehicle exports. We told them we would only consider it if it makes economic sense," the source said.

Volvo is the first premium automaker to export China-built cars to Europe and the U.S. The company has exported its S60 to the U.S. from Daqing since 2015. It began exports of its S90 flagship sedan to Europe from Daqing this month.

In the past Honda exported China-built Jazz models to Europe.

http://europe.autonews.com/article/...se-to-export-from-china?cciid=email-ane-daily

 

[Giannis]

Also, Volvo announced that by the end of 2017 all worldwide production of the S90 will come from China...

 

[Beemer B773ER]

Thanks, I might still make a thread to track its progress... but that'll be another time.

I'm pretty sure that performance of BMW GT is inversely proportional to the amount of waivers granted to get it to GTE spec... the M3 had lots, the Z4 had some, and the M6 doesn't have as many - and the cars are getting less competitive for it.

What they need to do is build a sports car, then take it sports car racing. We'll see how the M8 GTE does in that respect, but they've already been told they can't reduce the body height by 100mm as per their intention, so clearly they're still trying to bend the rules.

I actually do love the M6 as a race car, but it's not great. I'm looking forward to the M8 GTE, enough that I've been looking at booking flights for January so I can see it in the flesh at the Daytona Rolex 24.

Where have you found the specific details regarding the M8 GTE? I'm eager to learn a bit more about it, especially since it will herald the return of BMW to Le Mans!

 

[Matski]

Where have you found the specific details regarding the M8 GTE? I'm eager to learn a bit more about it, especially since it will herald the return of BMW to Le Mans!

There's only been a couple of articles on it so far, plus what was revealed in interviews during the coverage of the N24 on RadioLeMans... so not a great deal.

This is the most revealing so far..

BMW M8 GTE To Debut In 2018 Rolex 24 At Daytona – dailysportscar.com

 

[picsoubmw]

BMW wins license to export from China
View attachment 412941

Christiaan Hetzner
Automotive News Europe
May 31, 2017 06:01 CET

SHENYANG, China -- BMW Group has been granted a license by Chinese authorities to export vehicles manufactured by its local joint venture BMW Brilliance, opening up the possibility of China-built BMWs being sold to customers in Europe or the U.S.

German premium automakers have steadily expanded production in China at their joint ventures with local companies but plans to export vehicles so far have not been on the agenda, in part because cars from China have a poor reputation for safety and reliability in Western markets.

BMW now believes the quality of cars produced in China has reached the level of those built in Germany or the U.S.

"We have an export license for the JV but so far we haven't decided on exports since we need the production for the local market," said Olaf Kastner, head of BMW in China.

BMW built just over 300,000 vehicles last year at its two Chinese factories in Dadong and Tiexi, located 700 km (435 miles) east of Beijing on the outskirts of Shenyang near the North Korean border.

Volumes have more than doubled since 2012, as the company added compact models such as the 2-series Active Tourer minivan and X1 SUV to production of 3- and 5-series sedans.

BMW Brilliance's capacity in both plants has just been increased to 450,000 cars annually with an expansion of the Dadong factory.

Next year a sixth model, the X3, will begin running off the lines in Dadong, making it the third assembly plant where the SUV is built alongside lead plant Spartanburg in the U.S. and in BMW’s factory in Rosslyn, South Africa.

Perhaps one model that may make most sense to export is the 1-series compact sedan, which is built in Tiexi and currently only sold in China. Given the country is the world’s largest market for full-electric vehicles, these could also be an option, especially since construction is underway to include high-voltage battery manufacturing in the joint venture's powertrain plant, BMW's only engine factory outside of Europe.

For the moment, however, BMW says is has no plans since "everything is still being absorbed” locally, Kastner said.

When asked why BMW spent 12 months acquiring the license, if it has no plans to export from China, a source who declined to be named because he was not authorized to speak publicly about the matter said politicians had pushed and prodded the automaker into applying for one.

"It's the government's declared goal to foster vehicle exports. We told them we would only consider it if it makes economic sense," the source said.

Volvo is the first premium automaker to export China-built cars to Europe and the U.S. The company has exported its S60 to the U.S. from Daqing since 2015. It began exports of its S90 flagship sedan to Europe from Daqing this month.

In the past Honda exported China-built Jazz models to Europe.

http://europe.autonews.com/article/...se-to-export-from-china?cciid=email-ane-daily

BMW Group owns 50% of "BMW Brilliance" contrary to their other plant around the world which they owns entirely. In most market outside China, I don't believe they would make as much money with "Made in China" than they would with German or US builds and since BMW usually love to make the most money they can, I highly doubt we will see China-build BMW for sale in Europe/US or elsewhere anytime soon.

Volvo is owned by a Chinese company.

 

[mini_cooper4]

Who in their right mind wouldn't be tempted by the proposition of a FWD Chinese built BMW !?

 

[chonkoa]

Not going to happen in the US in the near future.

 

[SKY]

Not sure if this deserves any credibility (when you open the link you will see why), but here we have the 2er GC render by Autobild:

http://download.autobild.de/dl/1878943/AuBi17_22_001-001_Titel.pdf

 

[Matski]

Not sure if this deserves any credibility (when you open the link you will see why), but here we have the 2er GC render by Autobild:

http://download.autobild.de/dl/1878943/AuBi17_22_001-001_Titel.pdf

Crikey, that's ugly.

I love the 2002 Hommage, but Autobild's take on it is awful!

Besides that, I think a lot of people will get excited for this thinking it's RWD, when there's a good chance it might not be.

 

[klier]

Who in their right mind wouldn't be tempted by the proposition of a FWD Chinese built BMW !?

If you knew these two things, no one probably.

The sad thing is, however, that 99.99% will not know it's made in China or that it has FWD. It's just a BMW for most people.

Crikey, that's ugly.

Understatement. LOL, Damn!

 

[SKY]

Crikey, that's ugly.

I love the 2002 Hommage, but Autobild's take on it is awful!

Besides that, I think a lot of people will get excited for this thinking it's RWD, when there's a good chance it might not be.

Well, they had prototypes with FWD so yep, it might not be FWD.

We will have to save more for the G20 3er Matski.

 

[EnI]

Oh, dear lord ... People don't know & care in which factory their car is made. They just car the product is good & of good built quality. It's the same with every product. Do ypou really care where your GAP T-shirt is made? Or Boss shirt? Or Nike snickers? Or mobile phone?

Many FWB MBs are made in Hungary. So what! Or some Porsches in Slovakia. etc etc. Or that your Renault comes from Turkey, or Slovenia. Or that your Audi, MB or BMW will be made in Mexico, not Germany or US.

Who cares! When production process & quality control is ok, then it does not matter. And the days when "Made in China" necessarily meant the goods are cheap & flawed are over. As stated in the article: Volvo is just about to start S90 production in China for the export to Europe.

 

[mini_cooper4]

Oh, dear lord ... People don't know & care in which factory their car is made. They just car the product is good & of good built quality. It's the same with every product. Do ypou really care where your GAP T-shirt is made? Or Boss shirt? Or Nike snickers? Or mobile phone?

Many FWB MBs are made in Hungary. So what! Or some Porsches in Slovakia. etc etc. Or that your Renault comes from Turkey, or Slovenia. Or that your Audi, MB or BMW will be made in Mexico, not Germany or US.

Who cares! When production process & quality control is ok, then it does not matter. And the days when "Made in China" necessarily meant the goods are cheap & flawed are over. As stated in the article: Volvo is just about to start S90 production in China for the export to Europe.

I don't care where my 50 EUR T-shirts or 500 EUR phone is made as much as where my 50k EUR car is built. Yes, people wouldn't know or even care where their car is built.
People do care however whether their car is reliable and of good build quality.
Just look at some MB models built in the US... they clearly have their fair share of problems compared to other plants outside the US. Most issues I'm talking about aren't plant related and have more to do with the suppliers they use for the Alabama plant. Surely BMW will be bound with at least a few new(to them) suppliers for their Chinese plant too...
I'm not saying all Chinese built products are bad. I'm of the opinion that China builds some of the highest quality products in the world.
Quality control is crucial and will be a huge task here. BMW is taking a risk... whether it pays off or not we'll see in the near future.

One last thing: Media(not only automotive) will make sure people know their cars are built in China.
US and European reviewers will make sure to point out all the flaws these cars have and just assume all issues are China related. The "Made in China" mentality is still alive and kicking here in Europe and even more so in the US.

 

[Giannis]

Or mobile phone?

My 10 year old made in Finland Nokia phone still works.

Or that your Renault comes from Turkey

My 27 year old made in France Renault still works.



Seriously though, I don't really care where affordable pieces of whatever are made. But when we are talking about sensitive equipment or a 50k car, then I do care!

 

[donkeykong]

My 10 year old made in Finland Nokia phone still works.



My 27 year old made in France Renault still works.



Seriously though, I don't really care where affordable pieces of whatever are made. But when we are talking about sensitive equipment or a 50k car, then I do care!

Nokia??? You serious man?