Road Tripper

The Germany based automaker, BMW AG announced yesterday that the company is looking forward to cost cutting by about $8.5 billion by 2012 through a new efficiency drive. The automaker also plans to increase its production capacity in the U.S to respond to potential problems brought about by the depreciation of the dollar.

BMW has a plant in South Carolina, the luxury automaker said that it would put “all cost structures to the test” and continues to establish standard techniques as it work for cost reduction for every vehicle’s development, production, sales and administration.

BMW expressed their hopes of rise in their productivity by five percent each year to compete with American automakers like General Motors, Ford Motors (makes Volvo muffler), Chrysler and also the Japanese companies.

“We will focus the entire organization on the return on capital,” said BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer in a statement.

The automaker said that if it reached its target productivity increase, the result would be that the company “expects to be able to achieve the growth planned for the period until 2012 with roughly the same level of personnel as today.”

European automakers are facing potential problems of their products being less competitive to other countries as the euro gains higher value than the U.S. dollar and BMW AG is not and exception. The company also said that it would raise currency evasion to exclude itself from that risk.

The company faces this risk through its extensive “natural hedging”. The automaker is planning to increase its production in the U.S. to avoid the negative effects of unstable dollar exchange.

“The BMW Group will strategically step up natural hedging as well as purchasing, primarily in U.S. dollars,” BMW said.
The automaker said that their plan is already on the move, its Spartanburg plant in North Carolina will increase its production from 140,000 units to 240,000 units as 2012 comes.

Its Mini plant in Oxford, England will also raise its productivity to 260,000 units per year without any additional investments. The automaker also includes its China division which will also boost its production from 30,000 to 40,000 cars. The company is also considering acquisition for expansion.

“In principle, we will keep acquisitions on our agenda,” Reithofer said.
”We defined clear criteria for potential acquisitions within the scope of our strategic review. This will allow us to act swiftly wherever necessary.”

BMW’s new strategy “addresses the major points of investor concern (profitability, U.S. dollar risk and cash usage) and sets credible targets for returns and growth,” said Stephen Cheetham, senior research analyst for European autos at London-based Sanford C. Bernstein Ltd.

“Though criticism on the grounds of lack of detail is possible, and execution remains key, we believe this announcement should finally lay to rest the idea that BMW management does not care about profitability or shareholders,” Cheetham said.

On the September 24 issue of the Autoweek, it will announce its Editor’s Choice Award winners for the 2007 Frankfurt International Motor Show in its four categories: Best in Show, Best Concept, Most Significant and Most Fun.

The weekly automotive-enthusiast magazine have also covered other prestigious auto-shows in Detroit, Geneva, Paris, Frankfurt and Tokyo selecting winners for their four categories for over a decade now.

For the 2007 Frankfurt Autoshow winners are:

BEST IN SHOW: Lamborghini Reventon - “The sexy, brutal look of this ultra-sonic Lamborghini is something that will mesmerize car enthusiasts for generations,” said AutoWeek Editor and Associate Publisher Dutch Mandel.
“Our Best-in-Show award is bestowed on the car we all will remember years from now. That’s clearly the case with this near $1.4 million Lamborghini, all 20 of which are sold out.”

BEST CONCEPT: Mercedes-Benz F700 - “With so many slick-tech tricks in the F700, this was an easy choice as Best Concept.”

MOST SIGNIFICANT: Ford Verve Concept - “As the next generation Fiesta sub-compact hatchback, the slightly bigger and bulkier Verve allows space for higher hood and rooflines and raised seating. With concern that the small car will be too expensive to engineer in the United States and South America, how Ford resolves the dilemma is what makes an already significant car even more so.”

MOST FUN: BMW 1 Series Coupe - “We can’t wait to get behind the wheel of what will be, if the car holds true to its promise and its pedigree, one of the most fun products from BMW (makes BMW camshafts) since it recreated the Mini Copper. Only this time, the fun comes in rear-wheel drive,” said Mandel.

The 2007 Editor’s Choice Awards for the Tokyo Motor Show will be announced by the magazine next month. The magazine will continue its circulation until January and will select the best vehicles at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Last Monday, BMW announced that they will be handling a new set of keys for a new BMW Hydrogen 7 to the Hollywood comedian Jay Leno. The BMW Hydrogen 7 is the first hydrogen powered luxury sedan which is not set for sale. Jay Leno received the keys in his famed car garage in Burbank California, his garage becomes “green garage” since his new vehicle generates power from steam.

“As an avid car enthusiast I’m always interested in the future of automotive technology. With the BMW Hydrogen 7 I can experience all the fun and great features of a performance car, yet know that I’m being environmentally friendly at the same time! I look forward to driving the Hydrogen 7 and learning more about hydrogen as a fuel for our future.” said the Emmy-winning comedian and the host of The Tonight Show.

The BMW Hydrogen 7 runs on hydrogen fuel cell, the vehicle emits nothing but water vapor. This technology is considered a major milestone in reducing Carbon Dioxide emission. The car is not a concept car, it is a production car but is not for sale at the moment. If you can see a BMW Hydrogen 7 on the road, you can expect a prominent personality under the steering wheel. The vehicle is given to them by BMW for free. See what fame can do?

BMW announced that the Hydrogen 7 had completed the Product Development Process. The German company considers the vehicle as a big step towards using hydrogen as the sustainable fuel for future individual transportation.
BMW believes that hydrogen will replace petroleum as the fuel of cars in the future. The German automaker launched the Hydrogen 7 Pioneers program to introduce the technology to the masses. Hydrogen 7 vehicles were given to prominent personalities in areas of entertainment, politics, business and others. Jay Leno is one of them. Others include Will Farrell, Angelina Jolie and husband Brad Pitt, Richard Gere and Sharon Stone, Peter Ligouri (Fox Entertainment Chairman), Director Florian Henckel, and many others.

How I wish my Mazda Miata and OEM Mazda, was given to me for free also.

1. Bluetooth
Bluetooth is simply a wireless signal that allows phones to connect to Bluetooth-enabled cars without the need for a hard connection. An excellent example is Chrysler’s UConnect system, which allows users to make and receive calls without ever physically holding a phone. Other brands that have this technology include BMW, Nissan and Toyota.

2. In-Car Media Storage Device
The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited and Mercedes-Benz S-Class have the option of an in-car hard drive that can be used to store music and pictures. Connecting to these devices via USB is also an emerging car technology trend that will make transferring music and other files to your car much easier.

3. Real-Time Traffic Information
Acura cars equipped with AcuraLink have the ability to display real-time traffic information directly on the nav screen (in select cities), thereby allowing the driver to pick a different route or at least know what to expect on the ride home. Many BMWs for the 2007 model year will have a similar feature thanks to Clear Channel Communications’ “Total Traffic Network”; Europeans have had this feature for a few years.

4. Lane Departure Warning System
This device uses a small camera and speed sensors to determine when the car deviates from its lane and alerts the driver using a buzzer, seat vibrator or a visual cue. Using the turn signals prevents the system from kicking in. French automaker Citroën has had it for a few years and the technology is also available in some Infiniti cars and trucks.

5. Premium-Branded Stereo
When you can get an Infinity sound system in a Kia minivan, you know it’s a widespread trend. Brands such as Bang & Olufsen, Bose, Harman Kardon, JBL, Mark Levinson and Panasonic all have reputations for producing great-sounding home stereo components — now they make in-car systems as well, and some of them sound stunning. Mazda (makes Mazda rx7 part) vehicles are built with superb stereos.

6. iPod Connection
A generic mini-jack for connecting all kinds of handheld MP3 players is becoming a given in many sedans and SUVs, but the added control of an iPod-specific connection is a huge leap forward for the technology. With an iPod-specific connection you can navigate through tracks using the car’s audio system controls. Ford, GM and Mazda have recently announced that they will have iPod connectors in their upcoming cars, joining the ranks of BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Scion.

7. Rear Parking Camera
Rear parking sensors that simply beep when you approach an object have already become fairly common; the next evolution of this safety technology is a rear-mounted parking camera. The Chevrolet Tahoe, Honda Odyssey, Lexus ES 350, Toyota Sienna and others have an optional rear-mounted camera that displays a live video picture on the dash-mounted navigation screen.

8. Self-Parking Capability
The Lexus LS 460 and European versions of the Toyota Prius have a self-parking feature that essentially allows the car to park itself. The driver simply enters a few parameters through a touchscreen and the car maneuvers itself into a parallel spot or back into a traditional parking space.

9. Heated and/or Cooled Cupholders
The Cadillac Escalade ESV Platinum edition offers heated and cooled cupholders so your morning latte remains nice and toasty during the winter and your iced mocha can stay chilly.

10. Remote Start
This is probably one of the most overlooked technologies in new cars today, and it can be had even on budget-priced cars like the Chevy Malibu. Simply press a button on the key fob and the car starts itself, allowing you to warm up or cool down the interior from outside the car as it idles.
By the way, I got this list from Edmunds.com where you can also find other amazing car gadgets and other car top tens.

Before, production cars with 500 hp were extremely extraordinaire and tagged with million dollar prices. Now, with the gift of cheaper but high performing technologies, there are at least a dozen of brands offering their production vehicles with more than 500 hp and lower prices. The 2007 Ford Shelby GT500 is priced $40,930 and the rest, you can expect that you can buy them at higher amounts than this.

Bugatti Veyron 16.4 1000-hp

W16 Saleen S7 750-hp V8

Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 640-hp V12

Ferrari 599 GTB 620-hp V12

Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 617-hp V8

Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG 604-hp V12

Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG 604-hp V12

Maybach 57/62 S 604-hp V12

Bentley Continental Flying Spur 552-hp W12

Bentley Continental GT 552-hp W12

Bentley Continental GTC 552-hp W12

Maybach 57/62 543-hp V12 F

errari 612 Scaglietti 540-hp V12

Lamborghini Gallardo 20-hp V10

Aston Martin V12 Vanquish S 520-hp V12

Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG 518-hp V8 Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG 518-hp

V8 Mercedes-Benz SL600 510-hp V12

Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG 510-hp V8 Mercedes-Benz S600 510-hp V12

Mercedes-Benz CL600 510-hp V12

Dodge Viper SRT10 (with Dodge ball joints) 510-hp V10

Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG 507-hp V8

Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG Wagon 507-hp V8

Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG 507-hp V8

Chevrolet Corvette Z06 505-hp V8

Mercedes-Benz R63 AMG 503-hp V8

Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG 503-hp V8

Porsche Cayenne Turbo 500-hp V8

Ford Shelby GT500 500-hp V8

BMW M6 500-hp V10

BMW M5 500-hp V10

BMW 7-Series Alpina B7 500-hp V8

Bentley Arnage T 500-hp V8 S

Significantly at the top of the club is the world’s wildest bug, the Bugatti Veyron of Volkswagen with its W- 16 8.0 liters monster engine that generates that world record making 1,001 horsepower. The Veyron is tagged with an equally monster price range 0f $1.3 million - $1.5 million. The two SUVs that made it to the list are the Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG and the Porsche Cayenne Turbo.