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Tag: BMW

  • BMW Thailand bully for big-bike boom

    BMW Thailand bully for big-bike boom

    German luxury car maker BMW Group Thailand is bullish about the prospects of the big-bike market, expecting double-digit growth this year.

    Markus Glaeser, head of BMW Motorrad Thailand, said the market had developed over several years, with many brands and manufacturers making the Thai big-bike market more interesting.

    “As most Thai bikers want to own a second motorcycle, the market will remain very attractive and continue growing going forward,” he said.

    Some 18,000 motorcycles above 500cc were sold here last year, up by 20% from 2014, bucking the bearish overall market, where sales fell by 3.67% to 1.64 million units.

    BMW Motorrad Thailand sold a record 1,280 motorcycles last year, up by 83%, in the top three for sales worldwide last year along with China and Malaysia.

    The group is keen on the local big-bike market because it localised its assembly production at Rayong’s Amata City Industrial Estate in 2014, making BMW Motorrad’s retail prices 30-40% cheaper than imported models.

    Last year, the company spent 1.1 billion baht to double annual production of BMW and Mini models to 20,000 cars and raise production of BMW motorcycles to 10,000 a year from 1,000. New production is due to start this year.

    The Rayong facility makes eight models for BMW and one for Mini, while the eight for BMW Motorrad are the F700GS, F800R, F800GS, F800GT, S1000R, S1000RR, R1200GS and R1200GS Adventure. This is the only site in BMW’s global network with full operations for all three brands.

    Mr Glaeser said BMW Motorrad produced 2,700 motorcycles at its Rayong factory last year, with 1,000 shipped to China and Malaysia. The group is studying the feasibility of exporting more motorcycles to Asian markets this year, as these markets are growing quickly.

    In Thailand the company will introduce the mid-sized G310R motorcycle in the first quarter but has not said whether it would be built locally or imported from India. Mr Glaeser said the mid-sized market was very attractive, with 20,000 sales last year for 250-500cc engines.

  • Launched: 118i Sport by BMW Malaysia

    Launched: 118i Sport by BMW Malaysia

    BMW Group Malaysia has introduced the new BMW 118i Sport. Its estimated retail price (on the road, without insurance with BMW Malaysia’s latest 5-year Unlimited Mileage Warranty and Free Scheduled Service Program) is RM188,800.

    Introducing the latest product offering from BMW Group Malaysia, the group’s managing director and CEO, Alan Harris, said: “The new BMW 1 Series still remains the only rear-wheel drive car in its segment, making the car the most sportier and dynamic option in its class.”

    Harris added that the new 118i Sport now also introduces the segment to a new generation engine with the latest BMW EfficientDynamics technology, the latest driver assistance systems and mobility services courtesy of BMW ConnectedDrive as well as a host of safety features, making the premium segment hatchback also one of the safest in its class.

    Exterior Design

    The proportions, lines and surface design of the new 1 Series bear all the classical hallmarks of a BMW with its set-back passenger compartment, long bonnet and short overhangs, in particular, give the new premium hatchback a uniquely sporting presence. The new car features subtle but key differences to refine yet further the overall package.

    At the front, a new lower apron with larger air intakes and a horizontal bar combines with the reshaped BMW kidney grilles and front ornamental grille in chrome surround with its exclusively designed kidney bars in high gloss black to provide the sight that the new 118i Sport was designed with dynamism and sportiness in mind. Full LED headlamps with low and main beam have also been added to the new variant of the 1 Series.

    At the rear, new tail lamps with the now familiar BMW ‘L’ shape design adopt striking LED technology. Further to this, a single round exhaust tailpipe in chrome matt finish and the rear bumper with specific design elements in black-high further accentuates the sporty expression of the new 118i Sport.

    In terms of wheel options, the new 118i Sport offers 17’’ light alloy wheels Star Spoke 379 71/2 J with 17’’ tyres 225/ 45 R17.

    Interior Design

    The driver-focused cockpit of the new 1 Series is an even more welcoming, sporty, comfortable place to sit, thanks to enhancements to the design and the use of Sensatec Leather for its upholstery. The instrument cluster with red highlight and chrono scaling as well as interior trim finishers in Black High-Gloss with highlight trim finishers in Coral Red Matt further adds the sporty feel inside the car. Further driving this sporty expression inside the car are the sports leather multifunction steering wheel and the sports seats for both the driver and front passenger.

    The BMW Radio Professional and iDrive operating system continues to be standard across the entire range so the all new 1 Series model also features the segment leading freestanding, 6.5-inch Control Display, the controller wheel mounted on the centre console and the direct menu control and favourites buttons.

    The controls arranged below the Control Display have also benefited from detailed refinements. Both the air vents and the controls for the radio and the automatic air conditioning now feature high-quality chrome surrounds. The radio and automatic air conditioning keypads, meanwhile, are set against high-gloss black panelling.

    Engines: An Award Winning Member of the Family

    The new 118i Sport sees the introduction of the new Engine of the Year 2015 award winning 3-cylinder petrol engine to the premium compact segment. The innovative BMW TwinPower Turbo 1.5-litre 3-cylinder petrol engine, which is the same power plant in the all-new BMW i8, delivers a maximum output of 136 hp, torque of 220 Nm and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.7 seconds. The combined fuel consumption of the new 118i stands at 5.1 litres per 100 km with C02 emissions of 119 g/km.

    Adding to the dynamism of the its engine capabilities, the new 118i Sport also features the segment leading 8-Speed Steptronic automatic transmission and Driving Experience Control modes with the efficient ECO PRO mode, another class leading feature which makes the 118i Sport stand out from the rest in the premium compact segment.

    As a car built with a sporty expression, the new BMW 118i Sport is also not short in terms of safety features. The compact premium sports hatchback offers complete air bags for front and rear passengers, side air bags for driver and front passengers which are integrated into the front seat backrest and head airbags at the front and rear with curtain head protection and splinter protection capabilities. Doubling up on the safety measures are child seat ISOFIX attachments for the rear seats and a central locking system with electronic immobiliser and crash sensor.

    BMW ConnectedDrive: Connecting the Driver to the Car to the Outside World

    A leading feature amongst its peers in the industry, the new 118i Sport offers Intelligent Emergency Call, Teleservices and Remote Services functionalities.

    A SIM card built into the vehicle enables customers to enjoy optimum connectivity and access to the unrivalled range of services from BMW ConnectedDrive without the need for a smartphone.

    Intelligent Emergency Call, a standard feature in the new 118i Sport, ensures maximum safety on the road. If the airbags are triggered in an accident, this system uses the built-in SIM card to automatically transmit the severity of the accident, the potential risk of injury to the occupants and the vehicle’s location to the BMW Call Centre.

    This information is then used to arrange the best possible emergency response while the Call Centre stays in contact with the occupants if desired. The manual emergency call function also allows rapid help to be summoned for other road users in emergency situations at a touch of an SOS Button.

    Remote Services, on the other hand, transforms the owner’s smartphone into an intelligent and convenient remote control for the vehicle – via the MY Remote app (BMW iRemote app) or the BMW Call Centre. Users can use their smartphone to lock and unlock their car or find it immediately by flashing the headlights or sounding the horn.

    The new 118i Sport is available in colour options of Black Sapphire, Mineral Grey, Crimson Red, Midnight Blue and Alpine White and the new compact premium sport hatchback will be available at all authorised BMW dealerships across the country from next Wednesday, Nov 25.

  • European Markets Dropped On Renewed China Worries

    European Markets Dropped On Renewed China Worries

    The European markets ended Monday’s session in negative territory, as renewed concerns over China weighed on investor sentiment. Concerns over the upcoming snap elections in Greece and the likelihood of a near-term U.S. interest rate hike also contributed to the negative mood at the start of the new trading week.

    The Financial Times reported that the Chinese government has decided to abandon attempts to boost the stock market through large-scale share purchases. Senior regulatory officials told the Financial Times China’s leaders feel they mishandled their efforts to rescue the stock market.

    The Chinese government resumed large-scale stock buying late in the trading day last Thursday to help the Shanghai Composite Index finish sharply higher, but officials said the government will refrain from further large-scale buying of equities.

    The Euro Stoxx 50 index of eurozone bluechip stocks decreased by 0.52 percent, while the Stoxx Europe 50 index, which includes some major U.K. companies, lost 0.30 percent.

    The DAX of Germany dropped by 0.38 percent and the CAC 40 of France fell by 0.47 percent. The SMI of Switzerland finished higher by 0.45 percent, but the FTSE of the U.K. was closed for a banking holiday.

    In Frankfurt, Volkswagen decreased by 1.14 percent. Japan’s Suzuki Motor Corp said that it would buy back the 19.9 percent stake it sold to the German automaker after an international court settled a dispute between the automakers over their soured partnership.

    BMW fell by 0.90 percent and Daimler lost 0.97 percent.

    Insurer Allianz rose by 0.18 percent, on reported that its infrastructure arm is weighing bids for London City Airport.

    RWE sank by 4.25 percent and E.ON dropped by 1.60 percent.

    In Paris, Renault surrendered 2.28 percent and Peugeot weakened by 1.19 percent. Car parts maker Valeo also decreased by 1.45 percent.

    Total tumbled by 0.91 percent and Technip lost 0.99 percent.

    Givaudan gained 0.73 percent in Zurich, after it agreed to acquire Induchem Holding, a cosmetic ingredient producer.

    Shares of NeuroVive Pharmaceutical AB plunged by 39.13 percent in Stockholm after the mitochondrial medicine company announced that it would not pursue development of CicloMulsion in the indication of acute myocardial infarction.

    Eni SpA climbed by 1.53 percent in Milan. The company announced over the weekend that it has discovered a massive natural gas discovery off the coast of Egypt.

    Eurozone inflation remained unchanged at a very low level in August as further fall in oil prices curbed its ability to move upward. Inflation came in at 0.2 percent in August, the same rate as seen in July and June, preliminary data from Eurostat showed Monday. It was forecast to ease to 0.1 percent.

    Germany’s retail sales rebounded in July to grow at the fastest pace in nine months, signaling that consumer spending boosted economic growth at the start of the third quarter. Retail sales advanced 1.4 percent on a monthly basis in July, Destatis reported Monday. This was the fastest growth since October 2014, when sales climbed 1.8 percent.

    Italy’s retail sales dropped for the second straight month in June, figures from the statistical office Istat showed Monday. Retail sales fell a seasonally adjusted 0.3 percent month-over-month in June, following a 0.2 percent decrease in the previous month. In April, sales had risen 0.7 percent.

    Greece’s retail sales declined in June after rising in the previous month, preliminary figures from the Hellenic Statistical Authority showed Monday. The volume of retail sales decreased 0.4 percent year-over-year in June, in contrast to a 4.1 percent sharp gain in May, which was revised down from 4.2 percent. In April sales had fallen 1.8 percent.

    China’s trade deficit in services widened in July, the State Administration of Foreign Exchange said Monday. The deficit on trade in services increased to $17.6 billion in July from $14.9 billion in June. At the same time, the merchandise trade showed a surplus of $46 billion in July.

    Business activity in the Chicago area unexpectedly grew at a slower rate in the month of August, according to a report released by MNI Indicators on Monday. MNI Indicators said its Chicago business barometer dipped to 54.4 in August from 54.7 in July. While a reading above 50 indicates growth, economists had expected the index to inch up to 54.9.