The Nation Newspaper

Tag: BMW

  • Audi outsells BMW, Mercedes

    Audi outsells BMW, Mercedes

    Audi has consecutively sustained the lead in luxury car sales, edging out BMW AG’s namesake brand and fast growing Mercedes Benz in April and May respectively, the German car maker affirmed.

    Audi reported that the first five months of 2015 increased 11.7 per cent from last year to 73,353 vehicles while in May 2015 sales rose 11.0 per cent to 18, 428 vehicles, total that stands as the second-best month since the brand was launched in the United States market 45 years ago.

    The brand has similarly achieved significant sales growth in Nigeria with more than 400 units sold since the beginning of the year, Anurag Shah, Audi Centre Head of Sales and Marketing said.

    Shah attributed the growing popularity of the brand to ingenuity and some intriguing Audi models that were recently launched.

    Meanwhile the best Audi sale ever in the U.S. market was in December 2014 with 19,238 cars and SUVs.

    One of the key drivers of Audi sales gains in the US was the significant increase in demand for the A3 and S3 models that form the base of the Audi product lineup.

    Audi said May 2015 was best month on record for the A3 and S3 sedan models with 3,035 cars sold, as well as for the A3 Cabriolet with 458 cars sold. Combined, the 3,493 A3 and S3 sales trailed only the 4,280 sales of the popular Audi Q5 and SQ5 crossovers in the Audi results.

    “A year after launching the new A3 models, we are seeing payoff from our bold decision to re-imagine a key component of the Audi lineup and take advantage of a luxury car segment poised to take off,” said Scott Keogh, President, Audi of America.

    He said: “The record sales for the A3 and S3 sedans, along with the A3 Cabriolet, show this was a risk well worth taking. And we aren’t done yet with the all-new A3 Sportback e-tron coming this fall as the first plug-in Audi.”

    Notwithstanding, May represented strong demand for Audi luxury SUVs with a 36.7 per cent increase encompassing the Audi Q3, Q5 and Q7 models. The Q5 posted an 11.6 per cent increase from a year earlier, and the Q7 posted a 25.3 per cent increase from last May. The Audi Q3 wasn’t available in May 2014.

    Audi Certified pre-owned vehicle sales also achieved their second-highest total for any month and the best May ever with a 5.8 per cent gain on 4,405 CPO vehicles sold. Audi CPO sales year-to-date increased 8.3 per cent.

    Audi currently holds the longest running record sales streak in the premium car market according to a competitive sales report from motorintelligence.com

  • BMW recalls nearly 49, 000 motorcycles

    BMW is recalling nearly 49,000 motorcycles in the United States (US) and Canada because flanges that hold the rear wheel can crack if bolts are too tight.

    The recall covers multiple models including the 2005 to 2010 R1200 GS and R1200 RT, and the 2006 to 2010 R1200 GS Adventure.

    BMW says if bolts that hold the rear wheels to a flange are over-tightened, the flange can crack. If that happens, the bolts can loosen and the wheel may not stay secured to the bike.

    The problem was discovered after a 2004 motorcycle crashed in Spain last August. BMW says the rider and passenger were bruised and scraped.

    The recall is expected to begin on April 21. Dealers will replace the aluminium flange with a steel one at no cost to owners.

  • Luxury Report: BMW, Mercedes battle for sales crown

    Luxury Report: BMW, Mercedes battle for sales crown

    With only two months left in the year, BMW and Mercedes-Benz are neck-and-neck in the race to the United States luxury sales title, with just more than 5,000 vehicles separating the two, Automotive News reports. In October, both German brands joined Audi and Lexus by celebrating milestones on the U.S. market. According to industry analysts, the race may decided by who offers the right incentives in the final days of the year.

    BMW USA reported its best October in history with 30,602 vehicles sold in the states. That figure represented an 11 per cent gain year-over-year, while the brand’s 2014 total is also performing 12 per cent better than it did the first 10 months of 2013. Ludwig Willisch, the chief Executive Officer (CEO) of BMW North America, saw the market debuts as a factor fueling the brand’s growth.

    “Our new models, especially the 2 and 4 Series, are giving BMW a great boost as we head into the final two months of the year,” Willisch said in a company statement, adding that he was “very pleased to see our born-electric BMW i3 doing so well.” The i3 made its way into the top five of electric vehicle sales in the United States, but it was the 7 series sedans (1,680 units sold) and the hot-selling X5 (3,355 units) that did major damage. Overall, BMW managed to outshine what was an impressive month for Mercedes.

    The Mercedes-Benz press team had plenty to trumpet once the October sales stats emerged. From its AMG performance line to its S-Class land boats, the growth contributed to the best month of 2014 for the luxury brand. It may take only the right blend of incentives and clever marketing to beat BMW before the year is over.

    Pricey AMG vehicles sold 72 per cent better in October than they did the previous year, while S-Class sedans jumped 39 per cent year-over-year with 2,666 units sold in October. M-Class SUVs (up 22 per cent) joined the C-Class (up 13 per cent) in offering the brand an even bigger boost. That performance puts Mercedes within 5,389 vehicles of BMW for 2014 sales, which makes for an interesting duel over the last two months of the year. Mercedes has sold 261,804 vehicles to U.S. consumers on the year.

  • BMW builds street lights with electric car-charging sockets

    BMW builds street lights with electric car-charging sockets

    BMW has developed street lights equipped with sockets to charge electric cars, it said on Friday, and will run a pilot project in Munich next year that uses existing local authority lighting networks.

    BMW said it has made two prototype “Light and Charge” street lights which combine efficient Light Emitting Diodes (LED) with the company’s ChargeNow recharging stations for electric cars.

    “Seamless charging infrastructure is essential if we want to see more electric vehicles on the road in our cities in the future,” Peter Schwarzenbauer, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, said.

    The Munich pilot will install the first charging lights, which can be grafted straight onto the existing local authority street lighting infrastructure, BMW said.

    These additional charging stations can be used by as many drivers as possible, regardless of vehicle model and electricity provider, BMW said.

    Two street lights are already installed in front of the BMW headquarters. Drivers will be able to pay to charge their cars via a mobile phone app.

    BMW has developed some of the most advanced electric cars, including the i3 city vehicle and i8 hybrid. But electric cars as a product category have struggled to gain widespread popularity due to their limited operating range, the scarcity of charging stations and the time it takes to recharge them.

    BMW and other car makers are increasingly expanding their know-how of electric cars and related technology that could broaden their appeal.

    In addition to developing street lighting, BMW has already invested into software and applications that help drivers of electric cars find a parking space and charging stations, including investments into Justpark.com and the SLAM charging network.

    BMW executives recently met with rival Tesla Motors to discuss the availability of electric vehicle charging stations.

    In September, Daimler said it had bought mytaxi and RideScout, two smartphone applications that will help the maker of Mercedes-Benz limousines provide services to people who do not own cars.

  • N252m vehicles impounded in Imo

    The Nigeria Customs Service  (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (F.O.U.) Zone ‘C’ seized some exotic vehicles and goods worth N252, 126, 800 in July.

    Its Area Controller Dimka Victor David said 37 seizures were made last month in the Southeast and Southsouth.

    Thirty-six of the 37 seizures, he said, were vehicles ranging from Toyota Highlander, Infinity jeep, Lexus jeep and cars, BMW, Toyota Avalon, Toyota Corolla, to Toyota 4 Runner.

    According to Dimka, this was an indication of an increase in the number of vehicles smuggled into the zone in July.

    Dimka said there was a similar increase in smuggling in rice about five months ago but that it was tackled and reduced, adding that that of imported frozen poultry products earlier in the year also went down.

    The Area controller said the influx of imported furniture, second hand clothing, foreign detergents and foot wears had been tackled by officers of the command.

    Dimka, however, said the smugglers shifted attention to car smuggling, assuring that his men can deal with them and ensure that those apprehended face the law.

    He assured that the unit would not fold her arms and watch the smugglers sabotage the economy, vowing that some car dealers would be compelled to present the documents of vehicles in their shops to ensure that they are genuine.

    Dimka said the Comptroller-General of Customs Alhaji Abdullahi Dikko was in support of the unit, stressing that the support has spurred officers and men of the unit to greater height in the performance of their statutory duties.

    Customs Public Relations Officer of the zone, Onuigbo Ifeoma, also urged public with useful information on smuggling to volunteer it to the unit to enable them to fish out smugglers.

    Meanwhile, the NCS said it collected N1.28 billion in the first half of the year in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    This is contained in the command’s ‘Revenue Collection Analysis’ report.

    The service stated the amount was part of the N3.4 billion revenue target given to the service by the government.

    It said N513.82 million was collected in the first quarter and N769.99 million in the second quarter.

    The revenue was generated from duties, Value Added Tax (VAT), fees and levies.

  • BMW unveils Gran Turismo

    BMW unveils Gran Turismo

    The new BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo adds an innovative concept to the successful BMW 3 Series line-up. The third body variant in the  model family combines the Sedan’s dynamic, sporting genes with the practicality and versatility of the Touring, qualities which are backed up by a palpable increase in space and driving comfort. TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO writes with agency reports

    The Gran Turismo exudes aesthetic and emotional appeal, boasts a distinctive presence on the road and offers similarly pronounced driving pleasure. All of which allows the new Gran Turismo to make a compelling case for itself as both an elegant business carriage and a dynamic, comfortable tourer.

    Typical BMW proportions, four doors with frameless windows, a coupe-style, gently downward-sloping roofline and a large, automatically opening and closing tailgate define the distinctive exterior character of the BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo. An active rear spoiler – the first of its type on a BMW – provides visual lightness and reduces lift at touring speeds.

    The new BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo was unveiled by Coscharis Motors at its BMW Showroom on Adeola Odeku Street in Victoria Island, Lagos.

    President of Coscharis Group Dr Cosmas Maduka boasted that BMW with its 3 Series is not just the best-selling manufacturer in the compact executive class, also the first car maker in this segment to offer no less than four different body variants: Saloon, Touring, Coupe and Convertible.

    According to Maduka, the main features of the BMW 3 Series GT (F34) include an elevated seating position, comfortable vehicle ingress and a highly versatile luggage compartment.

    “At 4.82 metres in length, the latest member of the BMW 3 Series family is about 20 centimetres longer than the BMW 3 Series Touring. It provides an additional 7.0 centimetres of legroom for the rear passengers and with 520 litres of storage capacity, it offers an extra 25 litres of luggage space,” he said.

    As a independent concept within the BMW 3 Series range, the new BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo provides a unique combination of sporty and elegant coupé design, excellent versatility, space and the hallmark BMW driving experience. The now fifth variant of the BMW 3 Series clearly combines two apparent contradictions: a deliberately coupe-like vehicle design on one hand and on the other, an extraordinarily generous amount of space with excellent functionality which one would never expect to find in a car with such a sporty and elegant roofline. However, this does not adversely affect the car’s dynamic appearance. It is simply a car with intelligent innovations.

    The BMW 3 Series GT is the first ever BMW vehicle with active rear spoiler which enables very coupe like silhouette and elegant, low rear. Also, it has aerodynamic benefits; increases down force at high speeds and reduces drag.

    Maduka, who described the new car as “an iconic model in the BMW brand,” said it will help buttress Coscharis claim as a market leader in the nation’s auto segment.

    “Our expectation is that with the BMW 3 Series GT, Coscharis and BMW AG will, within the shortest time, be able to widen the BMW market share within Nigeria and globally,” Maduka said.

    The new BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo allows passengers in every seat to sit back and enjoy an impressive feeling of space and unbeatable freedom of movement.

    Customers can choose from a selection of five powerful, refined and economical engines – covering an output range from 105 kW/143 hp to 225 kW/306 hp.

    All the powerplants use BMW TwinPower Turbo technology. The range-topping six-cylinder petrol engine under the bonnet of the BMW 335i Gran Turismo is joined by the four-cylinder petrol units in the BMW 328i Gran Turismo and BMW 320i Gran Turismo. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, although BMW also offers an innovative eight-speed automatic as an option for all engine variants. Both gearboxes link up with the fuel-saving Auto Start-Stop function.

    Advanced suspension technology, featuring a large number of light-alloy components, the torque steer-free Electric Power Steering, finely-balanced axle load distribution (50:50) and a torsionally stiff lightweight body ensure outstanding handling attributes and a high degree of agility and precision. The longer wheelbase (+ 110 mm), greater wheel diameter and baseline specification of the new BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo– which includes 17-inch wheels – result in a car offering excellent directional stability and long-distance comfort.

    In addition to its enviable practicality and sporting dynamics, the outstanding fuel economy of the new BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo also serves the cause of driving pleasure. The key here is the BMW Efficient-Dynamics development strategy, whose influence can be seen in virtually every area of the new model. Building on the good work of the ultra-frugal petrol and diesel engines, the intelligent lightweight construction concept of the BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo and its optimised aerodynamics (including Air Curtains, Air Breathers and the active rear spoiler) do their bit to maximise efficiency and dynamics. And other measures, such as the Auto Start-Stop function, Brake Energy Regeneration, Optimum Shift Indicator and on-demand operation of ancillary components join the campaign to ensure the powerful BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo boasts impressively low fuel consumption and emissions. The economy drive doesn’t stop there, either; the car still has the potential to cut fuel use by as much as another 20 per cent using ECO PRO mode and the new ECO PRO Route function.

    An extensive selection of driver assistance systems and mobility solutions, offered as standard or as options under the BMW ConnectedDrive programme, allows the new BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo to set the benchmark in its segment in terms of safety, convenience and infotainment. One highlight of the range is the latest-generation full-colour Head-Up Display, which projects key information onto the windscreen in sharp resolution. Included alongside an array of other convenience and safety-enhancing assistance systems is highly effective interface technology that allows extensive use of external mobile phones and numerous Bluetooth office functions for internet-based services.

    The Apps option and free BMW Connected application provide access to services such as social networks, web radio and iPhone calendar functions. Last but not least, information and office services, and travel and leisure planners using the Google Maps and Panoramio services, further increase levels of passenger comfort in the new BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo.

  • A harvest of corruption

    A harvest of corruption

    •Rather than abate, corruption festers under the Jonathan administration

    The controversy kicked off by the purchase of two armoured BMW cars for the Minister of Aviation, Ms Stella Oduah, has brought to focus again the debate on President Goodluck Jonathan’s attitude to the battle against sleaze in the country. No sooner was he elected President than Dr. Jonathan announced to the world that he would tackle the monster with vigour.

    However, since he assumed power, fraud and dishonesty appear to have received fresh impetus. The first indication that the pledge to combat fraud could be cosmetic came to the fore as soon as the administration was inaugurated. Alhaji Umaru Yar’Adua who was Jonathan’s predecessor was quick, without prodding, to make public the declaration of his assets. The constitution merely requires of him to fill the necessary forms with the Code of Conduct Bureau. However, Yar’Adua chose to challenge whoever had contrary knowledge of his assets to come out with it. It was an indication that he intended to live above board and a signal that whoever would not be open and transparent about his or her transaction should not bother to take up appointment under him. It was refreshingly different.

    But, Dr. Jonathan who was his deputy needed to be needled to accept the challenge of following in Yar’Adua’s footsteps. It was an early indication of what to expect if he became the Chief Executive of the Federation. When he mounted the saddle as an elected President on May 29, 2011, he threw away the Yar’Adua example and rather chose to hide behind the fact that public declaration of assets is not made mandatory by the constitution. He would not be part of creating tradition and convention on declaration of assets.

    We note that, recently, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) cried out that it was broke and may not be in position to prosecute the plethora of fraud cases in court, especially those involving high profile politicians. This could be a further indication that the President is only paying lip service to the war against corruption.

    Last year, the landscape was seized by the desire of Nigerians to rid the country of thieves of public fund funnelled through payment of oil subsidy. Activists, patriots and nationalists trooped out to call for non-removal of the so-called fuel subsidy until satisfactory account was given of all that had been paid and a proper audit of the accounts had been carried out. Till date, nothing has changed in the mode of receipting, accounting for and expending oil money. Recommendations of the Nuhu Ribadu and the Kalu Idika Kalu panels have been kept in the shelves.

    The government demonstrated utter insensitivity by keeping the minister superintending the ministry in place. Rather than lose face as a result of the activities unearthed in the various National Assembly probes, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke remains a superpower in the petroleum resources ministry. Not even the weighty allegation that about N2 billion had been frittered away on private jet shuttles in a land where stark, absolute poverty reigns would move the President to sack the minister. Rather, ministers mainly known to be loyal to those regarded as “rebel governors” in the ruling party were shoved out.

    The pension fund scandal has led nowhere. In the federal legislature, Farouk Lawan remains a member of the House of Representatives. While it may be argued that the matter is before the courts, a charismatic leader would have made sure that such an issue is not allowed to linger for too long. Under the Jonathan administration, it is not considered offensive to national psyche that a legislator against whom such a serious allegation has been made remains in office and contributes to national debates.

    As a result of these scandals, frauds and other corrupt practices, others are emboldened to toe the same line. The reigning philosophy is that all that is needed to hold high offices of the land is to be in the good books of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. During the tenancy of Dr. Jonathan in the portals of power, ex-militants not known to have requisite qualifications and experience have been handed the security of the coastal waters and the ports.

    We are not surprised that national assets and institutions continue to decay. Examples include the all-important Lagos-Ibadan and Lagos-Ore-Benin roads. The roads are very important to the social and economic life of the country and its citizens as they connect the commercial and most populous city to all parts of the country – North, East and West. Industrial goods are thus expensive and precious lives needlessly lost.

    The government, as it approaches the third year mark, should sit up and re-examine the mandate it was handed in 2011. More than most Nigerians, President Jonathan has been strikingly lucky with public offices. He is touted as the first doctorate degree holder to hold the office of the President and the only one so far to have held office as deputy governor, governor, vice president and acting president before assuming office.

    He has a duty to prove all critics wrong by working for the interest of the people and ensuring that justice is upheld in all cases. This is the only way to raise public standards and seal the leaking points in the public treasury.

  • Stellagate and ethnic warriors

    Stellagate and ethnic warriors

    SIR: The raging kerfuffle precipitated by the purchase of two BMW armoured cars by Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah at N255 million has revealed the canyon of divergences of Nigerians as regards their thinking, biases, dispositions, views and opinions on tenuous issues of national reckoning . To a large extent, the discordant tunes have exposed the inability of the so-called oppressed class to unite in a noble cause of condemning and bringing pressure on the government for condign actions to be taken against the minister. The disunity among the common people has its provenance in tribalism. Nigerians are torn by tribal sentiments and considerations.

    The unfortunate dimension is an unsavoury commentary on the national conscience against corruption. If all Nigerians cannot forge a common front against evil as vile as corruption, then the vaunted fight against it is a mere fluke. Nigeria will remain in the thrall of corruption as long as ethnic bias takes precedence over corruption pronged issues that are as putrid as vivified national corruption itself.

    Again, the case has shown that when it comes to corruption, there is selectivity of ethnicity. In that, Nigerians are wont to condemn corrupt people when such people are not of their extraction, and they defend them if they are of their extraction. Ethnic attachments always suffuse the thinking in corruption categorisations in Nigeria; a situation that has effectuated Stella Oduah to be seen as a victim of tribal antagonism and prejudice by some Igbo persons.

    As a matter of fact, Stella Oduah’s vulgar purchases smack of corruption, insensitivity, profligacy and extravagance. Her actions should be seen as such. Nigeria’s ethnic warriors should sheathe their drawn swords and confront the issue for what it is- gross insensitivity, corruption and profligacy of a government official. The outpouring of accumulated vitriol from crimson bile will not bring a lasting solution to the problem of corruption, careless and senseless spending. It will only divide us more for the vicious rape of the government as a divided people are a conquered people. The barter of ethnic vitriol should cease for a dawning of untainted reason to break down Stellagate.

     

    • Fredrick Nwabufo.

    Abuja

  • Stellagate: It’s a familiar tale

    SIR: Like previous high profile corruption cases, the raging scandal involving Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Oduah and officials of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, (NCAA) would go the way of others. It will fizzle out pretty soon and life will go on smoothly as if nothing happened.

    Yes, this is Nigeria, where we are good at barking at every evil act, but lack the guts to attempt a bite.

    Hardly does a day pass that the world is not dished a portion of Nigeria’s abursidity, courtesy of the funny characters masquerading as leaders. No-one, including our so-called elder statesmen and clergymen seems bothered by Nigeria’s fast drift to anarchy and failure. Amidst allegations of rising malfeasance, which now define our system, we are so relaxed with an affirmation that all is well. We are at a crossroad. We continue to delude ourselves that the myriad of human-induced challenges staring would fizzle out pretty soon.

    Princess Stella Oduah’s show of obscene taste and display of extravagance as revealed in the purchase of armoured BMW cars valued at N255 Million provides an insight into the reckless manner our collective resources are being plundered by the elites.This is a sin against God and crime against humanity. This is the height of wickedness and irresponsibility. It beats one’s imagination to discover that a serving public official sees nothing morally or legally wrong in acquiring cars with such a huge amount in a country where thousands go to bed daily on flat empty stomachs.

    This amount is enough to pay the annual salaries of 50 professors in our beleagured public universities. The humongous sum is enough to build 100 healthcare centres across villages in Nigeria.

    Without pre-empting the outcome, this abuse of office will no doubt go the way of others. Frankly speaking, the panels amounts to huge waste of time and resources. Such time and resources should be channeled into productive ventures.

    Where is the report of the oil subsidy probe panel that indicted some lawmakers? What about the Malabo Oil deal involving the top echelon of the justice ministry? What about the corruption case against former House of Representatives Speaker, Dimeji Bankole and his deputy, Usman Bayero Nafada? Undoubtedly, this particular high profile corruption case will go the way of others.

     

    Abdullahi Yunusa

  • BMW introduces special motorbike

    BMW introduces special motorbike

    Auto giant BMW has unveiled a special motorcycle tagged Surfboard.

    The style-rich folks at BikeExif found it 1979 BMW motorcycle at a bike show in Biarritz. It was created by Xabi Ithurralde and took 10 months to build. A great consideration was taken to the added weight of the surfboard, reducing the weight of the headlight and seat, as well as choosing the 200kg (440 lb.) with R65 engine versus a larger bike.

    In addition to the stunning surfboard, a great deal of attention has been paid to the seat. Remy Carrait, a world-class tannery that supplies Louis Vuitton and Hermes, has supplied the leather.

    BMW has a very tight connection to the car world. First, BMW is a carmaker above all else. Second, many BMW bikes feature a drive shaft as opposed to being chain driven. You can now add “surf buggy” to the list of overlaps, with this BMW R65 and surfboard combination.