The BMW Group and Boeing signed a collaboration agreement to participate in joint research for carbon fiber recycling as well as share manufacturing knowledge and explore automation opportunities.

Both the BMW Group and Boeing are pioneering the use of carbon fiber in their products. With the release of the BMW i3 in late 2013, followed later by the BMW i8, the BMW Group will bring two vehicles with a carbon passenger cell onto the market for the first time and Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner is made up of 50 percent carbon fiber material. Recycling composite material at point of use and at the end of the product life therefore is essential to both companies.

“Boeing for us is a suitable partner for a collaboration in the field of … CONTINUED

BMW is the 3rd most valuable automotive company in the world (and 12th most valuable of all companies), according to Interbrand’s Top 100 Brands list for 2012. Interbrand is a leading branding consulting agency.

Read on inside…

From BMW’s November 2012 sales numbers, here are some updated sales stats for the 3 series.

10,776 3 Series were sold in November 2012, representing a 42.4% increase over November 2011.

88,857 3 Series have been sold year-to-date in 2012, an increase of 3.5% over same period last year.

It appears that 3 Series sales are doing just fine, contrary to what some naysayers may claim.

BMW brand up 45 percent in November – best month ever; 10.4 percent year-to-date increase.
MINI brand up 10.5 percent in November; 15.2 percent increase year-to-date – already surpassed 2011 sales record.

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – December 3, 2012… The BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) reported November sales of 36,461 vehicles, an increase of 38.8 percent from the 26,271 vehicles sold in the same month a year ago. Year-to-date, BMW Group is up 11.3 percent on sales of 303,728 in the first eleven months of 2012 compared to 272,873 in the same period in 2011.

“Supply is catching up with demand, making November the best sales month on record for BMW in the U.S.,” said Ludwig Willisch, President and CEO, BMW of North America. … CONTINUED

According to the 2012 CarMD Vehicle Health Index, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., is the no. 1-ranked manufacturer in the U.S. for the second consecutive year. Toyota earns the top spot with the lowest Index rating of 0.58, which is an improvement from its 0.67 rating in 2011 (the lower the rating score, the better the overall ranking). Rounding out the top five vehicle manufacturers of 2012 are no. 2 Hyundai Motor America, no. 3 BMW USA, no. 4 Honda Motor Co., Inc. and no. 5 Volkswagen of America, Inc.

Manufacturer / Overall CarMD 2012 Index Rating / Average Repair Cost (Parts & Labor)

Toyota / 0.58 / $490.72

Hyundai / 0.67 / $271.86

BMW / 0.84 / $502.48

Honda / 0.98 / $466.77

Volkswagen / 0.99 / $392.00

Nissan / 1.00 … CONTINUED

BMW has ranked as the most attractive auto company to work for on a World’s Most Attractive Employers 2012 report.

For the fourth year in a row, business students from around the world rated Google as the company they would most like to work for. The World

Karim Habib has been in charge of BMW Design since June 2012. The Lebanon-born Canadian heads a team of designers and developers working to constantly enhance and redevelop the designs of current and future BMW models. A sophisticated designer who grew up in five countries with vastly different cultures, he is committed to the idea of evolving design and is always striving to expand his range of skills. To this end, he doesn’t merely apply himself to his immediate field; he also appreciates the more technical aspects of his work. The art of continuous self-improvement is one he developed early on as a member of the Canadian U-20 national fencing team and has put to use in various roles throughout his career. Apart from a … CONTINUED

The BMW Group continued to perform successfully during the period under report despite difficult market conditions. Sales volume, revenues and earnings figures all constituted new highs to date for a third quarter. Revenues during the three-month period from July to September rose by 13.7% to € 18,817 million (2011: € 16,547 million). The profit before financial result (EBIT) increased by 13.8% to € 2,004 million (2011: € 1,761 million). Third-quarter profit before tax (EBT) improved by 17.6% to € 1,987 million (2011: € 1,689 million). Net profit for the period came in 16.0% higher at € 1,289 million (2011: € 1,111 million). The total number of BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brand vehicles delivered to customers during the third quarter increased by 9.0% to 434,963 units … CONTINUED

BMW of North America will give $1 million to the American Red Cross for disaster relief in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – November 2, 2012… “This donation will help the Red Cross give aid to the many who are in need in the affected areas,” said Ludwig Willisch, CEO and President, BMW of North America. “We support those who are working so hard on the recovery effort and we are encouraging our employees across North America to volunteer their time and money to the work underway. Our dealers already are active in their communities and we thank them for stepping up to meet the needs in their local areas.”

BMW of North America is headquartered in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey, one of the … CONTINUED