BMW has announced a new pilot program to rent out cars by the hour called BMW On Demand which will allow drivers near its Munich headquarters to rent various models from its product lineup, from the 1 series to its flagship 7 series sedan, and even performance models like the M6. Customers will be able to pick up and drop off the cars at BMW Welt (or “BMW World”), the auto maker’s exhibition, event and car delivery center next to its headquarters, and can reserve … CONTINUED

The BMW Group and PSA Peugeot Citro

BMW is considering adding a 4th model to be produced at the Spartanburg, S. Carolina plant, to further compete with Lexus and Mercedes in the U.S. The 3-series may wind up being that extra model, given its high volume and Mercedes announcement last year that its Alabama factory would also begin building its C-Class.

BMW has just completed a $750 million expansion of the Spartanburg plant to make room for the all new X3, which will join the X5 and X6 … CONTINUED

The dedication ceremony for the all-new 2011 BMW X3 and the Spartanburg Plant Expansion Completion was held yesterday at BMWs Spartanburg plant in South Carolina. On hand were various members of BMW management as well as important dignitaries. On hand and making speeches were:

President of BMW Manufacturing – Josef Kerscher

German Ambassador to USA – Dr. Klaus Scharioth

Governor of South Carolina – Mark Sanford

BMW CEO – Dr. Norbert Reithofer

South Carolina US Senator … CONTINUED

It was recently rumored that BMW was in discussions with General Motors regarding a potential partnership to develop engines. However, BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer said yesterday that BMW has had absolutely no discussions with General Motors regarding any cooperative efforts.

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SPARTANBURG, South Carolina (Reuters) — BMW AG CEO Norbert Reithofer said on Wednesday that the German automaker has not had … CONTINUED

BMW celebrates the opening of the new 1.2 million square feet (1 billion dollar) BMW manufacturing facility in Spartanburg, South Carolina and the production of the new BMW X3 at the facilities.

BMW is launching a marketing push to convince more American consumers to custom order and take delivery in just 2-6 weeks. To entice them, BMW will offer them unique choices and provide a video link of their car being “born” while they’re waiting for delivery. The push coincides with a $750 million expansion at the Spartanburg plant to make room for a second SUV, the redesigned X3. Today 15% of Americans custom-order their cars. BMW hopes to get 40% of its buyers to do it … CONTINUED

The BMW Group continued its successful course worldwide in September. With 142,950 BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brand automobiles delivered to customers, sales were 16.8% higher than in the same month last year. In addition, BMW X6 sales have hit 100,000!

BMW AG plans to start a car-leasing business in China in 2012 to help boost its presence in the fast-growing auto market. A leasing business and a new finance arm, announced earlier this week, may help the Munich, Germany-based automaker increase sales in China’s fast-growing luxury sector. Sales of luxury cars in the nation may grow at almost double the industry pace of 20 percent to reach 530,000 units this year and 1.1 million by 2015, according to researcher J.D Power & Associates.

BMW of North America has announced an average base price increase of 1% for many BMW vehicles sold in the U.S. effective October 1, 2010. The F10 5-series, 5-series GT, ActiveHybrid X6, and ActiveHybrid 7-series not affected by this increase. Pricing for the all-new 2011 BMW X3 will be released in October with vehicles arriving in BMW Center showrooms in late December.