All BMW articles – Page 12
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FeatureSMMT calls for end to Brexit uncertainty
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has joined major manufacturers in calling for the British government to end uncertainty over the UK’s trading relationship with the European Union after Brexit, and to ensure the frictionless flow of parts and vehicles. Speaking at a press conference during the SMMT’s ...
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FeatureEmissions legislation set to disrupt vehicle logistics
European legislation aimed at achieving more accurate monitoring of emissions from passenger cars could cause disruption to logistics operations involving the storage and delivery of new vehicles, the Association of European Vehicle Logistics (ECG) has warned. As manufacturers phase out non-compliant older models, dealers are looking to sell existing stock ...
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FeatureAutomotive Logistics Awards – Europe winners announced
The winners of the first ever Automotive Logistics Awards – Europe were revealed in Bonn, Germany, this week. During the event on June 12 – held on the eve of this year’s Automotive Logistics Europe conference – former Opel, Fiat and BMW vehicle designer Chris Bangle handed out a total ...
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FeatureAutomotive in the firing line as Trump extends tariffs
Cars and automotive parts are becoming enmeshed in intensifying global trade wars, with the automotive sector facing increased shipping, supply, manufacturing and cost uncertainty for some time to come.The catalyst has been the US president imposing import tariffs of 25% on steel and 10% on aluminium, two key input materials ...
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FeatureBBA expands battery factory in China
Seven months after opening a battery factory in north-east China, BMW Brilliance Automotive (BBA) has already started enlarging the facility.The expansion by the joint venture between BMW and Brilliance China Automotive Holdings will enable production of more powerful batteries for fifth-generation eDrive technology to be used in the fully-electric BMW ...
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FeatureChina cuts import tariffs on vehicles and parts
China’s Ministry of Finance has announced that import duty on foreign-made cars will fall from 25% to 15% with effect from July 1, with tariffs on automotive parts dropping from around 10% to 6%.The move delivers on a promise by China’s president Xi Jinping last month that the country would ...
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FeatureSweet home Alabama
One of the most popular songs about the US state of Alabama, ‘Sweet Home Alabama’, opens with the line “Big wheels keep on turning” – and indeed the number doing so is set to grow after the January announcement that a $1.6 billion Toyota-Mazda joint-venture manufacturing plant is scheduled to ...
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FeatureClark seeks to reassure automotive sector on Brexit
British business minister Greg Clark (pictured) has suggested the UK government wants to avoid any new trade friction over the processing and transporting of automotive products with the European Union after Brexit, despite open disagreement among cabinet ministers over what sort of customs arrangement should be put in place. Clark, ...
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FeatureCarmakers still dealing with fallout from Meridian fire
Carmakers in North America are still being affected by inbound supply problems stemming from a fire that hit the Michigan facility run by a division of components supplier Meridian Lightweight Technologies at the beginning of May. The Magnesium Products of America plant makes instrument panel components.Ford’s output of the F-150 ...
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FeatureReal-time tracking: Is it Here yet?
Real-time cargo tracking has always had its appeal. The problem has been finding a technology that could actually deliver on the aspiration
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FeatureMeridian fire causes parts shortages in US
[UPDATED] A fire last week at the Meridian Lightweight Technologies plant in Michigan has led to parts shortages at a number of carmakers’ plants in the US.The fire, followed by a number of explosions, ripped through the northern part of the Meridian plant in Eaton Rapids, which makes instrument panel ...
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FeaturePrologis buys DCT Industrial
Prologis is buying rival US-based logistics real estate developer DCT Industrial for $8.4 billion.The acquisition gives Prologis more than 65 hectares of additional industrial project space and almost 80 hectares of land in pre-development, predominantly in Seattle, Atlanta, South Florida and Southern California.“For some time, we have considered DCT’s realigned ...
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FeatureTrusting the market will stay afloat
European vehicle-handling ports saw growth in vehicle vehicle volumes in 2017, however geo-political worries – not least Brexit – is causing concerns. Ports continue to invest but there are worries over future volumes and capacity levels.
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FeatureRussia to halt parts imports during Fifa World Cup
Russia is likely to cease importing almost all automotive components and spare parts for two months from May 25 to July 25, as the federal government seeks to impose unprecedented security measures in the country for the duration of the Fifa World Cup 2018 football tournament.The government is planning to ...
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FeatureChina to slash car import tariffs and aid foreign JVs
China’s president Xi Jinping has said the country will greatly reduce its current 25% duty on foreign-made cars as part of wider efforts to increase imports and reduce its trade surplus with other countries.“This year we will significantly lower import tariffs for vehicles and reduce import tariffs for some other ...
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FeatureProficient Auto Transport appoints new president and CEO
Randy Beggs (pictured) has moved from his role as COO at US-based finished vehicle haulier, Proficient Auto Transport, to become president and CEO. He will now handle the day-to-day running of the company.Beggs replaces Kirk Williams, who held the role since 2004 and has now become chairman of the board.Proficient ...
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FeatureACEA warns of assembly line stoppages after Brexit
Whole production lines could come to halt in the automotive industry, if customs checks are introduced after Britain leaves the EU, the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) has warned.The sector body issued its warning ahead of a summit on March 22nd at which EU leaders (minus the UK), are expected ...
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FeatureTrump’s tariffs draw further fire
Further criticism has been voiced over President Donald Trump’s plans to impose import tariffs of 25% on steel and 10% on aluminium from other countries, except Nafta partners Canada and Mexico.Following widespread condemnation of the plans last week – which saw concerns raised by groups such as the Motor & ...
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FeatureBMW confirms Kaliningrad as site of new Russian plant
BMW has named the Kaliningrad region as the site of its new Russian assembly plant, Denis Manturov, Russia’s industry and trade minister, has revealed. The move has since been confirmed by a BMW spokesperson, according to several news outlets.The German luxury car manufacturer has been looking at locations around Moscow, ...
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FeatureBMW Spartanburg remains top US car exporter
BMW’s Spartanburg vehicle assembly plant in South Carolina remained the largest US automotive exporter by value last year, even though production there decreased.The factory turned out more than 371,280 cars during the year, 9.7% fewer than in 2016 because the X5/X6 assembly hall was shut down for four weeks during ...