Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Opinion: Is BMW becoming too soft?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/09/opinion-is-bmw-becoming-too-soft/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/09/opinion-is-bmw-becoming-too-soft/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/09/opinion-is-bmw-becoming-too-soft/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Happiness is the corner BMW ad

"Happiness isn't around the corner. Happiness IS the corner." So said an ad for BMW created in 1996 for the Z3. In the TV version (see the video at the very bottom after the break), a heavy-metal music track underlined the idea, which was carried over to magazines and billboards.

I'm reminded of that ad, one of the more perfect expressions of the BMW brand I have ever seen, this week as I take in the Bavarian automaker's plan to launch vehicles powered by "alternative" powertrains under the "i" sub-brand: as in, yes, iPad, iPod, iMac. So far, I'm not hearing about Apple filing trademark infractions. It is, I believe, also "i" as i Isetta, the last time BMW brought out a mini city car. "I" for innovation probably figures into the choice, as well.

The campaign was literally meant to attract more people who were not necessarily driving enthusiasts to the brand.
BMW has brand issues. Take the Super Bowl on Feb. 6. BMW ran two ads in the big game for a cost of between $5 and $6 million. One ad was to push diesel engines. Another was to push the fact that all X3 crossovers are now being built at BMW's plant in South Carolina. "Designed in America. Built in America," says the voiceover at the end of this ad. How about using the big game to push the core of your brand equity - driving excitement. How about an ad that says: "aspire to own and drive this marvelous machine."

Something has gone horribly wrong at BMW. And I think I know what it is. Back in 2006, then- BMW marketing director Jack Pitney (who tragically died in 2010) shared with me a Powerpoint strategy showing how far too many people, in his mind, weren't considering a BMW because they were intimidated or otherwise put off by the performance image of the brand. It was this finding that led BMW to first do a corporate ad campaign touting BMW's independent ownership, and then the softer "Joy of Driving" campaign that ran most of last year. It was literally meant to advance a "softer side" of BMW, and attract more people who were not necessarily driving enthusiasts to the brand.

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Continue reading Opinion: Is BMW becoming too soft?

Opinion: Is BMW becoming too soft? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Mar 2011 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bmwbmw advertisingbmw ibmw marketingbmw spartanburg plantbmw x3BMW Z3david kileyfeaturedminiWed, 09 Mar 2011 17:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19858225/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/03/09/opinion-is-bmw-becoming-too-soft/19858225/article-detail.xml 19858225 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/03/bmw-happiness_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/03/bmw-happiness.jpg <![CDATA[Get a high-res look at the other stars of the <i>Top Gear</i> holiday special]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/27/get-a-high-res-look-at-the-other-stars-of-the-top-gear-ho/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/27/get-a-high-res-look-at-the-other-stars-of-the-top-gear-ho/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/27/get-a-high-res-look-at-the-other-stars-of-the-top-gear-ho/#commentsFiled under:

Top Gear 2010 Christmas Special
Top Gear spends Christmas in the Middle East - Click above to view high-res image gallery

The three wise-asses-men of Top Gear were handed a new challenge for their 2010 holiday special: Travel 1,200 miles west to Bethlehem, driving through northern Iraq, Syria and a few other Middle Eastern countries and deliver gold, frankincense and myrrh to a newborn in a manger. Easy enough, right? But what vehicles to take?

The producers required each host to pic a compact convertible, so Clarkson went with the reasonable choice - a Mazda MX-5 Miata - featuring his "car of many colors" paint scheme. Just like Joseph. Hammond goes with a Fiat Barchetta fitted with a Bedouin tent while James May decides to go with something German and outfits a BMW Z3 for desert duty.

Their journey was filled with the typical Top Gear-tomfoolery including James May knocking himself unconscious. The entire escapade can be viewed online... for now, but in the meantime, check out all three vehicles in the gallery below.


Gallery: Top Gear 2010 Christmas Special

Top Gear 2010 Christmas SpecialTop Gear 2010 Christmas SpecialTop Gear 2010 Christmas SpecialTop Gear 2010 Christmas SpecialTop Gear 2010 Christmas Special


[Source: Top Gear]

Continue reading Get a high-res look at the other stars of the Top Gear holiday special

Get a high-res look at the other stars of the Top Gear holiday special originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Dec 2010 15:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bethlehembmw z3fiat barchettairanjames mayjeremy clarksonmazda mx-5richard hammondtop geartop gear holiday specialMon, 27 Dec 2010 15:56:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19777991/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/12/27/get-a-high-res-look-at-the-other-stars-of-the-top-gear-ho/19777991/article-detail.xml 19777991 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/3-top-gear-holiday-special-2010-1293475314_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/3-top-gear-holiday-special-2010-1293475314.jpg <![CDATA[BMW exports over one million vehicles from South Carolina factory]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/09/bmw-exports-over-1-million-vehicles-from-south-carolina-factory/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/09/bmw-exports-over-1-million-vehicles-from-south-carolina-factory/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/09/bmw-exports-over-1-million-vehicles-from-south-carolina-factory/#commentsFiled under: ,



American automakers have long struggled to export U.S. made vehicles to overseas markets. BMW, on the other hand, has apparently had no such problem. After 15 years of building cars and SUVs in Spartanburg, South Carolina the company has now shipped over one million cars to overseas markets. That's nearly two-thirds of all of the production from the plant.

When the Spartanburg plant first opened in 1994, it only built 3 series sedans. Within a couple of years, the Z3 roadster was added, followed by the original X5. Ever since the 3 was dropped from the South Carolina production schedule, the plant has been the sole worldwide source for each of the vehicles it has built - a list including the Z3 and first generation Z4. Spartanburg currently builds the X5 and X6. Late this year, an expansion of the plant will bring production of the new second generation X3.

[Source: BMW]

Continue reading BMW exports over one million vehicles from South Carolina factory

BMW exports over one million vehicles from South Carolina factory originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Apr 2010 10:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bmwbmw exportbmw exportsbmw spartanburgbmw spartanburg exportbmw spartanburg plantBMW Z3BmwExportBmwExportsBmwSpartanburgBmwSpartanburgExportBmwSpartanburgPlantBmwZ3SpartanburgX3X5X6Z3Z4Fri, 09 Apr 2010 10:39:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19431292/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/04/09/bmw-exports-over-1-million-vehicles-from-south-carolina-factory/19431292/article-detail.xml 19431292 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/p0047965_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/p0047965.jpg <![CDATA[BMW plant in Spartanburg, SC produces 1.5 millionth vehicle]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/10/bmw-plant-in-spartanburg-sc-produces-1-5-millionth-vehicle/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/10/bmw-plant-in-spartanburg-sc-produces-1-5-millionth-vehicle/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/10/bmw-plant-in-spartanburg-sc-produces-1-5-millionth-vehicle/#commentsFiled under: ,



BMW invaded the South in 1993, and it's first U.S.-made product was popped out in September a year later. Fifteen years after that there have been five factory expansions, 5,000 jobs created, a methane gas pipeline installed, a center for automotive research created, a golf tournament started, and 1.5 million combined versions of the 318i, Z3, Z4, X5 and X6 run over the factory threshold. The 1.5 millionth vehicle was an Oyster Blue and Ivory X6 for a Hong Kong customer. Just goes to show those Confederates might have been right: the South is rising again... You can read all about it in the presser after the jump.

[Source: BMW]

Continue reading BMW plant in Spartanburg, SC produces 1.5 millionth vehicle

BMW plant in Spartanburg, SC produces 1.5 millionth vehicle originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW Roadsters - Click above for a high-res image gallery

We generally think of BMW as the maker of some of the world's best sports sedans, but its put out some impressive roadsters over the years. Seventy-five years to be exact. The Bavarian auto manufacturer has been producing two-door open-seaters for three quarters of a century now, starting with 315/1 Sports model that was unveiled at the 1934 Berlin Motor Show followed by the more powerful 319/1. Two legendary roadsters came next, starting with the 328 Roadster in 1936 that was bred on the Nurburgring, and the classically-styled 507 in the late 1950's that inspired the next half century of BMW two-door ragtops.

It was nearly 30 years before BMW produced another roadster, and it came in the form of the Z1 that launched in 1988. The quirky roadster featured plastic body panels that bolted onto the steel monocoque body and doors that could retract into the side of the car. In 1995 BMW brought the roadster to the masses with the Z3, followed by the modern day Z4 that's just begun its second generation. Then, of course, there is the elegant Z8. Perhaps our favorite of all BMW's roadsters, it offered everything we would ever want from a sporty two-door convertible: a 400 horsepower V8, six-speed manual transmission, and a design that will never go out of style.

BMW has provided a wonderful gallery of photos highlighting each car, all available in high resolution. More details on each roadster can also be found in the press release after the jump.


Gallery: 75 Years of BMW Roadsters

BMW 315/1 BMW 315/1BMW 315/1BMW 315/1

Continue reading BMW celebrates 75 years of building roadsters

BMW celebrates 75 years of building roadsters originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 May 2009 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2009 BMW Z4 - Click above for high-res image gallery
The all-new 2009 BMW Z4 Roadster is the eagerly anticipated replacement to both the Z4 Convertible and Z4 Coupe. Adding to this pressure, the two-seater is also tasked with satisfying the enthusiasts who enjoyed the high-performance M variants, both of which are discontinued - at least for the moment. Autoblog just spent a long day behind the wheel of the multi-role Z4, dissecting the Roadster's styling, ergonomics, chassis, powerplant and handling. How does the Z4 masquerade as four different models? Is it a credible replacement for one, or all? Most importantly, will the Z4 appease the enthusiast? Find out after the jump.


Gallery: First Drive: 2009 BMW Z4


Photos copyright (C)2009 Michael Harley / Weblogs, Inc

Continue reading First Drive: 2009 BMW Z4 Roadster grows up at the expense of its groove

First Drive: 2009 BMW Z4 Roadster grows up at the expense of its groove originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 May 2009 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009 BMW2009BmwBMW RoadsterBMW Z2BMW Z3BMW Z4 RoadsterBMW Z8BmwRoadsterBmwZ2BmwZ3BmwZ4RoadsterBmwZ8FeaturedFirst DriveFirst TestFirstDriveFirstTestLos AngelesLosAngelesPreviewRoadsterWed, 13 May 2009 11:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1544433/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/05/13/first-drive-2009-bmw-z4-grows-up-at-cost-of-its-groove/1544433/article-detail.xml 1544433 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/05/z4_1280_20_opta_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/05/z4_1280_20_opta.jpg <![CDATA[Transcontinental with a little help from Daryl Hannah, cow patties and corn whiskey]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/17/transcontinental-with-a-little-help-from-daryl-hannah-cow-patti/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/17/transcontinental-with-a-little-help-from-daryl-hannah-cow-patti/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/17/transcontinental-with-a-little-help-from-daryl-hannah-cow-patti/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Cable network Outdoor Life Network (OLN) is set to debut a 13-part television series featuring actress Daryl Hannah, a modified Chevrolet S-10, hemp oil, and an AstroTurf-covered 1982 Volkswagen Jetta that runs on bio diesel. Coolfuel: Roadtrip charts the journey of Australian Shaun Murphy (and his Jack Russell terrier, Sparky) as he traverses 30 states on 30 unique vehicles, running solely on alternative fuels.

Highlights include a bio diesel Hummer limousine, an Electra Cruiser electric Harley-Davidson motorcycle, and a BMW Z3 that runs on corn whiskey.

Coolfuel: Roadtrip premieres Tuesday on OLN at 8 pm Eastern.

Check out the link for the show's website, which includes video clips, images, and alternative fuel educational resources.

Transcontinental with a little help from Daryl Hannah, cow patties and corn whiskey originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Apr 2006 10:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alternative fuelAlternativeFuelBio DieselBio FuelBioDieselBioFuelBMW Z3BmwZ3Chevrolet S-10ChevroletS-10CoolfuelCorn WhiskeyCornWhiskeyDaryl HannahDarylHannahdieselEarth DayEarthDayElectra CruiserElectra GlideElectraCruiserElectraGlidefuel economyFuelEconomyHarley-DavidsonHummerHummer LimoHummerLimoJack RussellJackRussellJackson BrowneJacksonBrowneOutdoor LifeOutdoorLifeRoad TripRoadTripShaun MurphyShaunMurphyTrans ContinentalTransContinentalVolkswagen JettaVolkswagenJettaVW JettaVwJettaMon, 17 Apr 2006 10:02:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/608976/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2006/04/17/transcontinental-with-a-little-help-from-daryl-hannah-cow-patti/608976/article-detail.xml 608976 http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/04/CoolFuel-hosts_thumbnail.jpg http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/04/CoolFuel-hosts.jpg -1 2