BMW's US plant posts over 400,000 units again, the third time and the highest ever.

• South Carolina Plant Produces 411,171 X Models.

For the third consecutive year, BMW Manufacturing recorded its largest annual production, producing 411,171  during 2016. 

This production record confirms the South Carolina plant will remain the largest plant by volume in the BMW Group global production network.  

In addition, the plant exported 287,700 vehicles last year – 70 percent of its total production. “Last year was a very successful year for Plant Spartanburg,” said Knudt Flor, President and CEO of BMW Manufacturing. 

“Our X models continue to be extremely popular worldwide, and I’m proud of the commitment shown by our team of dedicated associates to deliver premium quality vehicles for our customers.” 

2016 marked the second time the South Carolina plant has topped 400,000 units. In 2015, production totaled 400,904 units.  A breakdown of production by model is seen below: 

• X3 – 151,298
• X4 – 56,404
• X5 – 165,377
• X6 – 38,092

Plant Spartanburg welcomes new leader

Last month, Knudt Flor became the seventh president and CEO of BMW Manufacturing. Flor has served 28 years with the BMW Group.  He has worked in a variety of roles within the company and worldwide locations, including four years at Plant Spartanburg as Senior Manager Supplier and Assembly Quality Management.  Most recently, Flor served as Senior Vice President of Corporate Quality for the BMW Group.

“This is a homecoming for me,” Flor said. “I enjoyed my four years in Spartanburg in the late 1990s, and I have been waiting for this opportunity to return.  I’m eager to work with this dedicated team, and I’m excited about the future of this BMW plant.”

$1 Billion investment

BMW Manufacturing will continue construction and installation of tooling around the plant site as it prepares for the future and adds a fifth model to the vehicle line-up – the all-new BMW X7. Construction projects include a new state-of-the-art body shop totaling more than 1.2 million square feet and an expansion of the X5/X6 Assembly hall by 200,000 square feet.  Installation of special tooling and body shop robots will take place during 2017.

BMW began manufacturing vehicles in the United States in 1994 and has since produced more than 3.7 million vehicles for the world. BMW Group has invested more than $7.4 billion in the South Carolina plant.  Currently, BMW Manufacturing produces more than 1,400 vehicles each day and exports 70 percent of its production to 140 countries around the world.

USa - Land Rover returns to Manhattan for the third year as the official vehicle of the 2016 Rolex Central Park Horse Show

• Land Rover returns to the heart of Manhattan for the third consecutive year as the official vehicle of the 2016 Rolex Central Park Horse Show
• Olympic equestrian stars including the U.S. Eventing individual Bronze medalist, U.S. Show Jumping Team Silver medalists, and U.S. Dressage Team Bronze medalists from the Rio 2016 Olympic Games to be honored in commemorative ceremony at the Rolex Central Park Horse Show
• Land Rover to display the latest Range Rover Sport HSE model and provide a fleet of electric powered miniature Land Rover vehicles for children’s driving experience in the main arena

Land Rover North America will return as the official vehicle for one of the world’s most iconic equestrian events, the Rolex Central Park Horse Show, in the heart of New York City from September 21-25, 2016.

Since its inception in 2014, the Rolex Central Park Horse Show has grown significantly each year, attracting some of the world’s very best competitors in equestrian sport. 

The event, staged over five days under the iconic backdrop of the New York City skyline in Central Park’s Wollman Rink, showcases a wide variety of equestrian disciplines to thrill spectators and broadcast audiences across the U.S. and around the world.

Kim McCullough, Vice President of Marketing, Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC said, “Land Rover North America is a longstanding supporter of equestrian sport in the U.S. with our commitment spanning over two decades.”

“We are proud to be returning to one of the world’s most iconic equestrian venues. It’s an amazing feat to build a​n ​event ​of this caliber ​in the center of ​ New York ​City.”  

The Rolex Central Park Horse Show is the first-ever outdoor, multi-day equestrian sporting event in New York City, showcasing some of the best show jumpers and dressage riders in the world, all competing for top prizes in the heart of Manhattan.

The third annual Rolex Central Park Horse Show will feature five days of multi-discipline equestrian sport and performances, starting with Arabians on the opening night.  This year, audiences will be treated to a special Dressage performance from triple Olympic Individual Gold medalist Charlotte Dujardin and her wonder horse Valegro. 

There will also be Hunter competitions and Show Jumping with U.S. Show Jumping Team Silver medalists from the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, McLain Ward and Kent Farrington, coming to New York to battle for the prestigious title of U.S. Open Champion on Thursday, September 22, and Friday, September 23, 2016. 

They will be joined by some of the top riders in the world. The Rolex Central Park Horse Show will also host the second annual U.S. Open in the categories covering Jumpers, Dressage, Hunters, U25 Jumpers and Arabians.

Land Rover is also providing a special treat for the younger members in attendance: a fleet of electric powered replicas of iconic Land Rover models.

Designed for children aged four to ten, the special junior driving experience will take place in the main arena. Children’s pony rides, face painting, and equestrian demonstrations will also be available free of charge on Sunday.

Mark Bellissimo, CEO, International Equestrian Group commented, "Our New York event continues to grow each year and we are thrilled to have Land Rover North America as our official vehicle partner for the third year running. 

It is going to be another exceptional show this year with a special celebration for our U.S. Olympic equestrian medal winning athletes from Eventing, Dressage and Show Jumping all coming to Central Park. 

It is a real privilege to be able to showcase the amazing competitors and their horses from all disciplines to the fans in this iconic arena in the heart of Manhattan.”

In addition to watching some of the world’s top riders in action, spectators will have the opportunity to see the Range Rover Sport HSE displayed onsite. 

The Range Rover Sport is a genuine Land Rover success story, delivering all the refinement and capability expected from a large SUV with the engaging experience of a performance vehicle.

For 2017 model year, Land Rover continues to increase the desirability of its models with the introduction of new powertrains, upgraded infotainment and connectivity systems, as well as enhanced driver assistance features across its range of Land Rover and Range Rover vehicles. 

The 2017 Land Rover model line-up features four models: The Discovery Sport and Range Rover Evoque, both powered by 240-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter gasoline engines, as well as the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport available with five powertrain options – 

• 340-hp supercharged V6 gasoline engine, 
• 380-hp supercharged V6 gasoline engine,
• 510-hp supercharged V8 gasoline engine, 
• 550-hp supercharged V8 gasoline engine, 
• 254-hp turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 diesel engine.

Discovery Sport models receive the new All-Terrain Progress Control system as standard across the model line-up, as well as the option for a new Gesture Powered tailgate and new available exterior colors. 

2017 Range Rover Sport models benefit from the introduction of Land Rover InControl® Touch Pro™ featuring a 10.2-inch infotainment screen, a new HSE Dynamic model producing 380-hp through the proven supercharged V6 gasoline engine, new exterior paint colors and a wider suite of available Driver Assistance features.

Similarly, the 2017 model year Range Rover sees the introduction of InControl Touch Pro, a wider range of exterior paint colors and a new suite of available Advanced Driver Assistance technologies. At 2017 model year, a new 550-hp Range Rover SVAutobiography Dynamic also joins the Range Rover line-up distinguished by its standard wheelbase, sporting lowered suspension and Graphite Atlas Grey Accents. 

Produced by Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) beside the Range Rover SVAutobiography and Range Rover Sport SVR, the Range Rover SVAutobiography Dynamic will be limited to approximately 200 models in the United States.

Range Rover Evoque also receives updates for 2017 model year including new exterior colors, All-Terrain Progress Control as standard across all trim levels, the availability of InControl Touch Pro and the introduction of an all-new Convertible body style. 

The Range Rover Evoque Convertible enhances the desirability of the Range Rover Evoque family, taking the Land Rover brand to a new audience of customers looking for a unique combination of open-air luxury and refinement.

Year to date, through August 2016, Land Rover is continuing to grow with sales up 15 percent versus the same period last year.

For the 3rd year in succession, the Citroën Grand C4 Picasso has been named ‘Best MPV’ at the Fleet World Honours

For the third year in succession, the Citroën Grand C4 Picasso has been named ‘Best MPV’ at the Fleet World Honours annual awards event, which took place in London earlier today.  Having triumphed in the category in the two years since its launch, the Grand C4 Picasso has proved it is still the benchmark in this highly competitive sector.

Steve Moody, editor of Fleet World magazine – and Fleet World Honours judge – praised the Citroën Grand C4 Picasso for its style, practicality and efficiency. “The Grand C4 Picasso moved the MPV segment forward when it launched in 2014, and nothing has come close since. 

This remains the only non-hybrid seven-seater under 100g/km, and there are no compromises on flexibility or comfort to get there. Futuristic styling, generous equipment levels and long-distance refinement mean Citroën is still ahead of the curve.” 

Built on the advanced and lightweight EMP2 modular platform, the Grand C4 Picasso has been recognised for its efficiency, use of interior space and low cost of ownership. The model’s ability to emit less than 100g/km of CO₂ without the use of hybrid technology remains an attractive proposition, as does its wide range of equipment options. 

These features include: Park Assist and Blind Spot Monitoring; 360° Vision technology; 7-inch Touch Drive interface; active seat belts; a 12-inch HD central display screen and dual-zone air conditioning. The range-topping Grand C4 Picasso Exclusive+ even has a front passenger seat with a massage function and an electric leg rest, as standard.

Martin Gurney, PSA Group UK’s Director of Fleet & Used Vehicles, remarked; “Citroën is delighted that the Grand C4 Picasso has won the Fleet World Honours ‘Best MPV’ award in each of the three years since it was launched. 

This achievement highlights its impressive design and engineering credentials, and reflects Citroën’s process of continuous improvement. The Grand C4 Picasso’s latest-generation Euro 6 engines provide improved fuel economy of up to 74.3mpg and CO₂ emissions as low as 99g/km. All of which – combined with strong residual values – gives the Grand C4 Picasso significant fleet appeal.”