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DHL Freight wins contract extension with the BMW Group

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DHL Freight, provider of road freight services in Europe, has been awarded an extension of its contract with the BMW Group and will continue to manage the vehicle manufacturer’s overland transport in 17 countries covered by the companies’ previous contract.

As a result of the tender, DHL Freight also won an expansion of the collaboration, taking on supply chain management of the BMW Group in seven additional areas.

A new DHL Freight custom-made logistics solution was successfully put in place as part of the contract conclusion.

[Read more…] about DHL Freight wins contract extension with the BMW Group

Magna to make the new BMW Z4 in Austria

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Magna is adding to its contract vehicle manufacturing line-up in Graz, Austria with the addition of the new BMW Z4. Production is scheduled to begin at the end of 2018.

“Our expertise in complete vehicle engineering and production makes us unique and the ideal partner for the industry,” says Günther Apfalter, President of Magna Europe and Magna Steyr.

“We are very pleased that we can further strengthen our relationship with the BMW Group and continue to solidify our overall position in the industry with new business like this.” [Read more…] about Magna to make the new BMW Z4 in Austria

BMW and Great Wall Motor establish joint venture to build Mini electric vehicles in China

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The BMW Group and the Chinese manufacturer Great Wall Motor have signed an agreement to produce Mini electric vehicles through a new 50:50 joint venture based in China. 

During a recent event for autonomous and connected driving attended by China’s Premier Li Keqiang and Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin, the BMW Group and Great Wall Motor committed to founding a new joint venture, “Spotlight Automotive Limited”, for the development and production of electric vehicles in China.

As well as Mini electric vehicles, the joint venture will also produce electric vehicles for Great Wall Motor.  [Read more…] about BMW and Great Wall Motor establish joint venture to build Mini electric vehicles in China

BMW introduces robotic X-ray measurement for prototype vehicle analysis

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The BMW Group has introduced computer tomography into prototype development, production and analysis – a first in the automotive industry.

The full range of vehicles, from Mini to Rolls-Royce, can now be quality-controlled from the early stages of development.

Scans are performed by four robots which move around the outside of the prototype to produce several thousand cross-sectional images. These are then used for detailed examinations of innovations, new materials and bonding technologies.

[Read more…] about BMW introduces robotic X-ray measurement for prototype vehicle analysis

BMW Group and Baidu join forces on autonomous driving in China

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Baidu, Inc. and the BMW Group today announced they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), under which the BMW Group will join Apollo, the open autonomous driving platform by Baidu, as a board member.

The partnership was made official during Chinese Premier Li Keqiang’s visit to Germany on July 10th to meet with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

The MoU marks the beginning of a new partnership on autonomous driving between the BMW Group and Baidu. The two companies seek to work together to bring safe, convenient and intelligent mobility experiences for consumers in China.

[Read more…] about BMW Group and Baidu join forces on autonomous driving in China

New BMW 8 Series Coupé in production at Dingolfing plant in Germany

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The BMW Group‘s Dingolfing plant began series production of the new BMW 8 Series Coupé, the sportscar that will launch the BMW model offensive in the luxury segment.

A large number of digital innovations have also been integrated into the production process, including self-driving transport systems and smart devices.

Intelligent lightweight construction, with a clever mix of materials, including steel, plastic, aluminium and carbon fibre, is used in the body of the new sportscar.

[Read more…] about New BMW 8 Series Coupé in production at Dingolfing plant in Germany

BMW opens autonomous driving campus in Germany

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The BMW Group has opened its autonomous driving campus in Unterschleißheim, near Munich, Germany.

The campus is a state-of-the-art centre of excellence, which offers 23,000 square metres of office space with room for 1,800 employees.

The BMW Group is intending to drive forward development of highly automated vehicles with the new campus and is looking to recruit IT specialists and software developers in the areas of artificial intelligence, machine learning and data analysis. [Read more…] about BMW opens autonomous driving campus in Germany

BMW partners with Amazon to integrate Alexa artificial intelligence into its cars

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BMW is to integrated Amazon’s Alexa artificial intelligence into its in-car systems.

Amazon Alexa will be available in BMW and Mini vehicles starting in mid-2018.

Users can ask Alexa in-car to get directions, call a business, play music or Audible content, control your smart home, check the news, and so on – without downloading a separate app.  [Read more…] about BMW partners with Amazon to integrate Alexa artificial intelligence into its cars

Dürr and BMW win award for smart painting technique

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Robotics and automation technology company Dürr and automaker BMW have won an award for developing a new robotic painting system.

The companies received the award for technique for their concept of a “smart paint shop” at the Surcar 2017 event in Cannes, France.

The jury at Surcar, which is said to be the world’s leading biennial congress on automotive body finishing, traditionally selects the winners for three awards.  [Read more…] about Dürr and BMW win award for smart painting technique

Automotive and industrial companies ‘could unlock billions in revenue’ through new growth strategies

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Accenture using a “new way” of measuring corporate competitiveness

Industrial companies, such as automotive manufacturers, could unlock billions of dollars in revenue by adopting a more “holistic strategy”, according to a new report by Accenture.

The business management consultant conducted a survey into competitiveness in industry and found that the best approach is one that places equal emphasis on growth, profitability, sustainability and trust.

This “inter-dependent” strategy “yields massive growth potential”, says Accenture, which bases its conclusions on analysis of 47 automotive and industrial companies’ performances.

[Read more…] about Automotive and industrial companies ‘could unlock billions in revenue’ through new growth strategies