BMW Group breaks 1 Million sales in 6 Months

July 8, 2014, 11:31 pm

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A truly great achievement by a stand alone motoring company, competing with the likes of the VAG group.

Munich. The BMW Group sold more than a million vehicles in the first half of 2014, more than ever before in the first six months of the year. A total of 1,020,211 vehicles were delivered to customers worldwide, an increase of 6.9% over the same period last year (954,501). Sales in June also reached an all-time high: deliveries increased 4.8% with a total of 193,342 vehicles sold last month (prev. yr. 184,489).

“This is the first time we’ve sold more than a million cars in the first half of the year and underscores the strength of our premium brands within the BMW Group,” said Ian Robertson, Member of the BMW AG Board of Management, Sales and Marketing BMW. “June is the latest in a long line of record months and the figures confirm we’re on the right track to achieve our target of delivering more than 2 million vehicles in 2014. We aim to continue our sales growth in the second half of the year, when exciting new vehicles like the BMW X4 and BMW 2 Series Active Tourer will come onto the market.”

Worldwide sales of BMW brand vehicles in June climbed 7.3% to total 164,214 units (prev. yr. 153,075). Since the start of the year, 886,347 BMWs have been delivered to customers worldwide – an increase of 10.2% (prev. yr. 804,227).

Sales of the BMW 2 Series, which has been in dealerships since March, have continued to develop well with 11,067 delivered in the year-to-date. With a total of 233,438 cars delivered (prev. yr. 216,593), sales of the BMW 3 Series rose 7.8% in the first half of the year while deliveries of the BMW 4 Series – available since September 2013 – reached 47,031 in the year-to-date. Sales of the BMW 5 Series rose 7.6% in the same period (193,560 / prev. yr. 179,863). In June, BMW 7 Series sales increased 6.4% with a total of 5,358 deliveries (prev. yr. 5,035); BMW 7 Series sales for the year-to-date remain around the previous year’s level with 26,378 deliveries (prev. yr. 27,090 / -2.6%). Sales of the BMW X1 remained steady in the first half of 2014 with 79,344 units delivered (prev. yr. 79,063 / +0.4%). Demand for the BMW X3 continued to grow in the first six months of the year with a total of 82,830 customer deliveries (prev. yr. 77,950 / +6.3%). The BMW X5 was a significant growth driver in June with 13,097 deliveries (prev. yr. 9,661 / + 35.6%) as was the BMW X6, which saw an increase in sales of 18.4% (3,341 / prev. yr. 2,822)

In June, 1,241 BMW i3s were delivered to customers, bringing the year-to-date sales for this innovative electric vehicle up to 5,396.

As expected the recent model change meansoverall MINI sales continue to be down on last year with a total of 131,896 customer deliveries in the first six months of the year (prev. yr. 148,799 / -11.4%). In June, 28,738 MINIs were delivered to customers (prev. yr. 31,102 / -7.6%). However sales of the new MINI Hatch, the core model which began to arrive in the showrooms in March, are beginning to reflect the positive customer reaction to the third generation of this iconic car. In June, 12,862 units were sold, an increase of 3.2% on the same month last year (prev. yr. 12,460). This positive trend in MINI sales is expected to continue through the rest of the year.

Sales of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars in the first half of the year totalled 1,968 units (prev. yr. 1,475 / +33.4%). Rolls-Royce continues to see strong customer demand for Wraith, significant orders for the recently announced Ghost Series II and good demand for the Phantom family of cars across the world. Strong sales performances were seen in Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Europe. At mid-year, the United States had overtaken China as the marque’s largest worldwide market. The company continues to plan for long-term sustainable growth and is on target for another record year in 2014.

Global sales for BMW Motorrad totalled 70,978 motorcycles and maxi-scooters in the first half of the year (prev. yr. 64,941 / +9.3%). In June 11,827 vehicles were sold (prev. yr. 12.541 / -5.7%).

In line with its strategy of balanced global growth, the BMW Group made gains in all three major sales regions in the first half of 2014.

In Asia, the BMW Group has delivered 321,915 BMW and MINI brand vehicles in the year to date, an increase of 18.3% on the same period last year (prev. yr. 272,100). Several markets in the region experienced double-digit growth in the first six months of the year including South Korea, where a total of 21,972 BMW and MINI vehicles were delivered to customers (prev. yr. 18,412 / +19.3%) and mainland China, where sales rose 23.1% in the first half year (225,035 / prev. yr. 182,800).

The Americas recorded steady growth in the first six months of 2014 with overall sales of BMW and MINI vehicles up 3.4% (220,764 / prev. yr. 213,473). In the U.S., sales rose 5.1% with a total of 181,534 deliveries so far this year (prev. yr. 172,787). Sales in Mexico were up 6.2% (6,803 / prev. yr. 6,406) in the same period; just last week, the BMW Group announced plans to build a plant in the San Luis Potosí region of the country. It’s planned to build around 150,00 vehicles a year there once production begins in 2019.

BMW Group sales in Europe are also positive with total deliveries of BMW and MINI vehicles increasing by 2.1% to 445,808 units (prev. yr. 436,460) in the first half of this year. In June, customer registrations in the company’s home market Germany are up 2.4% (26,100 / prev. yr. 25,485).

BMW Power.

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SA airport security bans uncharged devices

July 9, 2014, 12:01 am

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SA airport security bans uncharged devices
Jesse D. Mulder | Technology Monday 7 July 2014 - 5:56pm

http://www.enca.com/business-usual-sa-airport-security





JOHANNESBURG - The US has issued new requirements about cellphones and tablet computers, saying passengers will not be allowed to board direct flights to America, if their electronic devices are not fully charged.

This is due to a perceived increase in non-specific terror threats from the African, European and Middle Eastern regions.

Passengers will be asked to turn on their electronic devices during security screenings, as it is feared that explosive devices placed inside phones and other electronics may evade detection if the device is switched off.

According to eNCA US correspondent Simon Marks, Apple iPhones and Samsung Galaxy phones are raising the most concern for US airport security and have been singled out for additional screening.

As well as the additional screenings of electronic devices, the US Homeland Security Department is advising that airport security from the aforementioned regions also have passengers' shoes checked before boarding flights to the US.

However, it is business as usual at South African airports for now. Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) said security has not been stepped up, as no formal directive has been received.

Acsa said it was confident that the current security measures it has in place were sufficient to protect the safety if its passengers.

Which province has SA's best drivers?

July 9, 2014, 12:03 am

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Which province has SA's best drivers?
Wed, 09 Jul 2014 6:53 AM

http://motoring.iafrica.com/features/948251.html



South Africa's best drivers are to be found in the Western Cape, with Gauteng ranked second overall, according to data from Discovery Insure's road safety smartphone application.

During June, the first month of the campaign, 16.8 million kilometres of driving data was collected and analysed by Discovery Insure.

Over 36 000 people have downloaded the smartphone app to receive real-time feedback on their driving and score themselves against family and friends in the Discovery Insure Driver Challenge.

Consumers receive detailed feedback after each trip, with information on harsh braking and cornering, distracted driving (such as mobile usage while driving) and speeding, as measured by their smartphone's built-in accelerometer, gyroscope and GPS. They are assigned a score between 0 and 100 and are ranked on a leaderboard which scores them against friends and the broader public.

Although some 70 percent of users are male, the data shows that women tend to be better drivers. Despite this trend, women recorded more harsh braking events and higher levels of cellphone usage while driving. Men generally lost significant points for speeding and cornering.

Users with scores of less than 50 improved on average by 20 percent over the next two days. High-scoring drivers (70 or higher) improved on average by seven percent over the same period. Ten percent of drivers improved their score by at least 10 points after the first day.

Most users (70 percent) were aged between 18 and 40. Average scores for both men and women improved with age.

"We're heartened by the great response thus far, which shows that South Africans are passionate about making a positive difference in their driving behaviour. We're particularly pleased that most users were able to improve their driving scores within a short space of time, which shows that people are willing to improve their driving behaviour if offered the tools [and can] make a real difference to road safety," said Discovery Insure CEO Anton Ossip.

Best drivers by province

1. Western Cape
2. Gauteng
3. Eastern Cape
4. North West
5. Free State
6. Northern Cape
7. KwaZulu-Natal
8. Mpumalanga
9. Limpopo

The Discovery Insure app is available as a free download from the App Store for iOS and the Play Store for Android, for both Discovery Insure and non-Discovery Insure clients.

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Best driver challenge: Gauteng vs Western Cape
Discovery has released a ranking of the best provinces when it comes to driving, based on data from its new smartphone app
Staff Writer July 8, 2014

http://mybroadband.co.za/news/general/10...-cape.html



South Africa’s best drivers are in the Western Cape and women are – on average – better drivers than men, according to data from Discovery Insure’s road safety smartphone application, Discovery Health said in a press statement on Tuesday, 8 July 2014.

Discovery launched its Driver Challenge campaign on 1 June and it is set to run until 31 August 2014.

During June, the first month of the campaign, Discovery Insure said it collected and analysed 16.8 million kilometres of driving data.

Over 36,000 people have downloaded the smartphone app, Discovery said, which lets them receive real-time feedback on their driving and score themselves against family and friends in the Discovery Insure Driver Challenge.

After each trip, users are given feedback with information on harsh braking and cornering, distracted driving (such as mobile usage while driving e.g. texting) and speeding, as measured by their smartphone’s built-in accelerometer, gyroscope, and GPS.

You are assigned a score between 0 and 100 and ranked on a leaderboard which scores them against friends and the broader public.

Women better drivers on average: Discovery

Although 70% of Discovery’s users are male, it found that women tend to be better drivers. However, women also record more harsh braking events and higher levels of cell phone usage while driving.

Men lose a significant amount of points on speeding and cornering, Discovery said.

Most users (70%) were aged between 18 and 40 and average scores for both men and women improved with age.

Effect of feedback

Users with scores of less than 50 improved on average by 20% over the next two days, Discovery found.

High-scoring drivers (70 or higher) improved, on average, by 7% over the same period.

Ten percent of drivers improved their score by at least 10 points after the first day.

Discovery said the research indicates that drivers with the highest driver scores have 15% to 25% fewer accidents, and those with below average scores have 25% to 80% more accidents.

“We’re heartened by the great response thus far, which shows that South Africans are passionate about making a positive difference in their driving behaviour,” said Discovery Insure CEO Anton Ossip.

“We’re particularly pleased that most users were able to improve their driving scores within a short space of time, which shows that if people are willing to improve their driving behaviour if offered the tools on how to improve to make a real difference to road safety,” Ossip said.

Discovery believes that by combining mobile technology and behavioural economics, the app can improve driving standards and road safety in South Africa.

South Africa has a relatively poor road safety record, Discovery said, with over 14,000 fatalities every year. It added that research shows that over 90% of car accident are caused by the driver.

“The app is the most robust and scientific analysis of driving behaviour in South Africa to date,” Discovery boasted.

Provincial driving rankings

Drivers who use their cellphones while on the road record an average of 52 seconds of distracted driving per trip – the equivalent of driving blind for one kilometre at 60 km/h, Discovery said.

Western Cape drivers used their cellphones the least, while Limpopo drivers used them the most.

The best drivers by province, according to Discovery, are as follows:

Western Cape
Gauteng
Eastern Cape
North West
Free State
Northern Cape
KwaZulu-Natal
Mpumalanga
Limpopo

Racekom: If you’re white at Telkom, you’re guilty

July 9, 2014, 12:17 am

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Racekom: If you’re white at Telkom, you’re guilty
Solidarity has launched new Racekom/Raskom websites as part of a campaign to fight Telkom’s plans to use race as a criteria for retrenchments.
Staff Writer July 8, 2014

http://mybroadband.co.za/news/business/1...union.html



Trade union Solidarity has launched a new campaign to fight Telkom using race as a criteria for its looming retrenchments.

“Telkom is carrying out large-scale retrenchments where race is used as a criterion. If you work at Telkom and you’re white, you’re guilty,” Solidarity said on its newly launched Racecom / Raskom website.

“Guilty, because you’re the ‘wrong’ race and you’re costing the company BEE points. Forget about the years of loyal service, your qualifications, and the positive contribution you make.”

Solidarity said that it has already lodged documents with the Labour Court to put a stop to Telkom’s race-based retrenchments.

“The trade union wants to mobilise as many South Africans and, in particular, Telkom clients to send thousands of petition letters to the CEO of Telkom, Sipho Maseko, to have this unacceptable criterion for retrenchment withdrawn,” the union said.

Solidarity encourages people to become involved in the campaign in the following ways:

Send your petition letter to Telkom CEO Sipho Maseko.
Send an SMS petition. SMS the word “RACEKOM” to 34802 (R2/SMS). Each SMS will be counted as a petition message and Solidarity will forward it to Maseko on your behalf.
“Like” Solidarity’s Facebook page and share our posts on the campaign with your friends.
Tweet about the campaign, using #RACEKOM.
Tell your friends about the campaign.
“Solidarity fights for you when your skin colour makes you a target in a retrenchment process where no one should take the blame,” the union added.

Telkom was contacted for comment, and the company said that it will provide an official response soon.

Kenda - KAISER-KR20 Tyres

July 9, 2014, 12:58 am

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Hi Guys

I will be in need of a set of rear tyres to be replaced this weekend.

I'm hoping Ralf has stock of the 912 Falken’s available.

I however have been doing some research and came across the Kenda - KAISER-KR20 tyres. I've checked for posts on the forum and a lot of them look positive, with the only problem being that it’s a little noisy, but that is to be expected with a directional tyre.

Can anyone give me a review on their experience with this tyre?

It will be going onto the 335 and I don’t push the car hard, but would like to know that they can be trusted to run at high speeds in dry weather when the need arises


Autostyle currently have them in stock for R1600 each.[/align]

Jezebel's Alpha N Supercharger tune

July 9, 2014, 1:33 am

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Hey Guys,

Jezebel should be arriving soon for her Alpha N Supercharger tune. There is currently a base file on the car so that Chris can get around.

I will use this thread to show everyone the attention and detail that goes into a custom Project Shift file.

Stay tuned!

Enter Random Thread Subject here

July 9, 2014, 4:54 am

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Hi All

New here. Officially only got my 1st self owned BMW this past Monday. Have to say in comparison to my Audi its a lot better.

The soft ride and elegant power just pushing you forward is just great.

Stay in Centurion for most of my life and work as a BI Consultant in Qlikview for one of the Leading BI companies in SA

In my signature is some pics of my Car. The F30 makes it easy to make photos look good ... damn :P

2012 320d Luxury 8Speed Auto.

Tape Decked locked

July 9, 2014, 4:58 am

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Dammit... never started my car for a while and the battery ran down. I used a battery pack and discovered that the radio required a PIN. Checked my manuals and could not find the card so I guessed and managed to lock it

Does anybody know how to get it out of the "please wait" mode and thereafter how do I get hold of the pin?

Many thanks.

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Advise on 135I with bearing knock

July 9, 2014, 5:00 am

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Hi Guys

Need some advise please, I saw the post about the M3 with bearing knock and how expensive it can be to fix BUT now I received a swop offer for a 2009 135I with bearing knock.

The dealer ssaid they think it is a bearing knock, but the thing is when you rev the car the noise does not get louder or faster, they drove the car and the car does not have power since the knock started.

I can get a low mileage sub assembly for R10 000 and my car is for sale for R120 000 (paid alot less for it).

Do you guys think it is worth it? Is there anything else to look out for?

18" Wheels for F1 Cars - Pics

July 9, 2014, 5:07 am

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Pirelli proposing 18" wheels for F1 racing..

alternator

July 9, 2014, 5:59 am

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I have a Valeo 150A alternator on my 330d '06model. With normal driving I have no issues, but on a rainy day when I use lights , wipers, heater , etc , it would appear that the alternator is not charging 100%. I am looking at replacing/repairing alternator. Can I swop Valeo Alternator for Bosch Alternator (330d '08model) Please Advise?

1 thing after the next

July 9, 2014, 6:30 am

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Hi Guys

Just got my car back after turbo replacement 2009 N54 78Kkm manual. Now their is sound on cold start ups like a fan is rubbing on something and an oil leak, car seemed a little down on power as well.

What could be causing this ? the car is at the dealer now no feedback yet. let me list the issues thus far

1) Service fixed
2) Clutch replacement fixed
3) Turbo went fixed
4) MFS module replaced fixed and sound system was not sounding as good as it was originally this issue is still around
5) Oil leak - current
6) Rubbing sound from engine bay on cold start up - current
7) down on power - current


Although still on MP i am not a happy chappy, i hardly ever get to drive my car as it is at the dealer for repairs 5th time now at the dealer in 2months.

Just needed to vent.

No start on my 318i e46

July 9, 2014, 9:06 am

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Hi Guys

Please assist my 318i is giving me a problem we just skimped the head and replaces the gasket ,then the worst happened the injectors don't want to open , checked the cam sensor and the computer box all is good , the fuel is coming to the rail , but the injectors don't open - any idea what can be the problem

E87 120i coolant temp

July 9, 2014, 9:30 am

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Whats the normal temp range?

Im getting about 95 ish exiting the motor and then around 47 exiting the radiator.. is this normal? my auto elec says it isnt jst want to check

top pipe is HOT and lower rad pipe is cold.

resulting in me changing the waterpump and thermo but keep getting a coolant temp sender fault... and ive changed that sensor aswell.
Radiator also been checked and its not blocked.

any help?

thinking of drilling my old thermo if the temps are wrong.

Powersteering hoses

July 9, 2014, 2:21 pm

≫ Next: Suspension parts... what to replace?

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So as everyone knows The Witch is getting rebuilt with some very appreciated help from fellow fanatics.

http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=56392

Now with this I would like to replace the powersteering pipe from the reservoir.

Where would I be able to either get one made or a new one at a good price?

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Suspension parts... what to replace?

July 9, 2014, 2:26 pm

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Hi all,

Planning on replacing shocks at the end of the month and wondering what else i should be checking/replacing at the same time?

Car is an E90 with sports suspension and 120 000kms on the clock.

Appreciate the feedback

Guess who might be coming back!

July 9, 2014, 10:08 pm

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Hello gents

Long time!

Working on a deal and might be coming back with a litte beasty

A new attempt

July 9, 2014, 11:21 pm

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Awe Gents!

I consider myself a new arrival to BMW Fanatics even though i registered over a year ago but was never active on the forum due to commitments:

However let me introduce myself...aka Shakes...Below is my new machine i got in November 2013...

trust me im a engineer...

July 9, 2014, 11:52 pm

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just when you think you have seen it all..

http://9gag.com/gag/aBK7nPO

E90323i Misfire & Rough Idle

July 10, 2014, 12:52 am

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I have a 2007 E90 323i manual. No MP. Was fine on way to work yesterday morning. I Drove it midday for about 2km and then parked. When it started 2 hours later the idle was rough and Engine was vibrating. I drove car back to work but couldn't drive more that 2nd gear because of traffic. I noticed that there wasn't much power as well. Anyone experience anything like this? Will appreciate any advice before I take car to BMW.