ECCA Front Page News

• Highly efficient BMW 520d Sedan fuel-miser now available
• Range-topping 535d Sedan due later this year
• Class-leading power output and fuel economy
• Diesel models accounted for just under 40% of all BMW sales in 2009, compared to approximately 34% for Total Luxury Market
• Diesel models have accounted for 50% of all BMW sales YTD 2010, compared to approximately 35% for Total Luxury Market

BMW Group Australia today announced the addition of two new diesel variants to its critically-acclaimed BMW 5 Series range.

The new BMW 520d Sedan and BMW 535d Sedan bolster a portfolio of BMW diesel vehicles already available in Australia, renowned for powerful engine outputs, combined with extremely low fuel consumption and emissions.

BMW Group Australia Managing Director, Mr Stavros Yallouridis said the popularity of BMW diesel models is growing rapidly in Australia.

“BMW diesel engines are winning international accolades and challenging many preconceptions about diesel technology as a whole,” said Mr Yallouridis.

“The combination of enormous torque, blistering power and extraordinary fuel economy from our latest diesel engines is winning many fans in Australia,” he said.

The ultra-efficient 520d features a four cylinder turbo diesel engine producing a power output of 135kW and 380 Nm of torque. Despite boasting fuel consumption of just 5.2 litres per 100km, and C02 emissions of 137 g/km, the BMW 520d is still capable of accelerating to100km/ hr in just 8.1 seconds.

The 520d is priced from $83,300* and is loaded with additional features compared to its predecessor, including 8-speed automatic transmission, 17” alloy wheels, electric power steering, Head Up Display, Interior trim in black high-gloss, through loading system, Park Distance Control (PDC) front and rear and active bonnet to reduce risk of injury in case of accident with a pedestrian. BMW EfficientDynamics technologies available on the 520d include low rolling-resistance tyres, brake energy regeneration, and air vent control.

The new diesel hero model, the 535d, offers extreme power with its straight six-cylinder engine featuring BMW TwinPower Turbo technology producing 220kW and a whopping 600Nm of torque. The new BMW 535d sprints to 100km/hr in 5.7 seconds while sipping just 6.1litres of fuel per 100km and emitting 162g/km of C02.
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BMW Australia today announced details of the new M Sport Package available for its acclaimed BMW 5 Series .

Developed by BMW M GmbH, the package comprises components that have been specifically adapted to match the suspension, aerodynamics, and exterior and interior design of the BMW 5 Series range. The M sports suspension, M aerodynamics package and 18-inch M light alloys featuring a double spoke design contribute towards enhanced driving dynamics and an exceptionally powerful appearance. Moreover, optionally available features include 19-inch M light alloys (standard on the BMW 550i fitted with M Sport Package) as well as an M rear spoiler.

Sports leather seats give the interior a particularly sporting ambience (Comfort Seats are standard on the 550i and available as an option on all other models). Further interior features included in the M Sport Package comprise, an M leather steering wheel, BMW Individual headliner Anthracite, door sill finishers with M badging and M Aluminium Hexagon interior trim (high-gloss dark brown Ash Grain wood trim standard on the 550i).

Australian Pricing for the BMW M Sport package on the BMW 5 Series is as follows:

BMW 520d $7,900
BMW 528i $6,100
BMW 535i $4,900
BMW 535d $4,900
BMW 550i $4,900

The BMW 5 Series M Sport Package is available on the entire 5 Series Sedan and Touring range and will arrive in showrooms in November.
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• Brand new Audi Hangar opens in Cairns
• Managing director of Audi Australia, Uwe Hagen, officially opens facility with Dealer Principal, Alan Baxter
• Clear demonstration of continued faith in Audi brand strength by dealer network

The new Audi Centre Cairns facility, at 303 – 309 Mulgrave Road, Cairns celebrated its official opening on 13 August 2010.

Audi Australia’s managing director, Uwe Hagen, opened the facility along with Dealer Principal, Alan Baxter, at a cocktail reception for around 200 guests.

One of Audi’s breath-taking R8 V10 sports cars was also on display.

The new 360 square metre Audi Centre Cairns “Hangar” facility was designed by Trinity Drafting and built by Plos Constructions in just over 4 months.

The 8 new car showroom, 4 bay workshop and extensive Audi Approved Plus facility is operated by Motoco Group managed by Director and Dealer Principal, Alan Baxter.

The new facility reflects the German premium Audi brand’s visionary ‘airport hangar’ style architectural concept for regional, greenfield locations.

“This new showroom highlights the Audi brand’s ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’, or innovation through technology. It is a complete ‘one stop shop’ for Audi buyers in Cairns,” said dealer principal, Alan Baxter.

The new Audi Centre Cairns will also offer the highest level of Audi brand experience for its customers.

“Australia is one of the fastest growing markets in the world for Audi and that is reflected here in Cairns where we have built up an experienced team of Audi sales and aftersales staff, and we have achieved the number 1 position for the past two years – which we intend to maintain.”
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• Brand new $9 million Audi Terminal opens in Parramatta
• Second major investment in Audi brand by Ian and Nick Pagent
• Clear demonstration of continued faith in Audi brand strength by dealer network

The new Audi Centre Parramatta terminal facility has celebrated its official opening on Church Street, Parramatta.

The new Audi Centre Parramatta facility, built at a cost of $9 million, is the first of its kind in Western Sydney to follow Audi’s global ‘terminal’ style of architecture.

The facility is owned and operated by Sydney businessman, Ian Pagent, with business partner, son Nick Pagent, and is the second Audi dealership to be built by the pair, following the construction of Audi Five Dock in 2008.

Construction of the $9 million Audi Centre Parramatta facility began in September 2009, by renowned property builders, Taylors Construction, and was completed in just nine months. Located in ‘Auto Alley’ Church Street at Parramatta, the new facility reflects the German premium Audi brand’s visionary, modular architectural concept for high-density locations – known as the Audi terminal.

“This new showroom highlights the Audi brand’s ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’, or innovation through technology, with the latest architectural features,” said Nick Pagent.

The new Audi Centre Parramatta will also offer the highest level of Audi brand experience for its customers.

“We want to give our customers every opportunity to satisfy their own personal requirements. This is why every Audi is something special and is usually a few vital steps ahead of its time,” Pagent added.
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Stefan Jacoby Named President and Chief Executive of Volvo Cars; New Board Unveiled

Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co., Ltd. ("Geely Holding Group"), one of the fastest-growing car manufacturers in China, today announced it has completed the acquisition of 100 per cent of Volvo Car Corporation ("Volvo Cars") from Ford Motor Company.

Geely also announced that Stefan Jacoby, the Chief Executive of Volkswagen Group of America, would become President and Chief Executive Officer of Volvo Cars.

Li Shufu said: "This is a historic day for Geely, which is extremely proud to have acquired Volvo Cars. This famous Swedish premium brand will remain true to its core values of safety, quality, environmental care and modern Scandinavian design as it strengthens the existing European and North American markets and expands its presence in China and other emerging markets."

Stefan Jacoby, the new President and Chief Executive of Volvo Cars, said: "I am honoured to join a company with the prestige and growth potential of Volvo. Our employees, suppliers, dealers - and above all our customers - can be confident that Volvo will preserve its special status as the industry leader in vehicle safety and innovation - even as it pursues new market opportunities."

Following completion of the transaction, Mr Stefan Jacoby will join the board of Volvo Cars, chaired by Li Shufu, Chairman of Geely Holding Group. The board will comprise several new directors including Hans-Olov Olsson, a former President and Chief Executive of Volvo Cars and a former Chief Marketing Officer of Ford, who will become Vice-Chairman of the board.

As announced on the signing of the stock purchase agreement on 28th March, 2010 Geely has agreed to pay USD 1.8 billion for Volvo Cars, which included a USD 200 million note with the balance paid in cash.

Geely issued the note and paid USD 1.3 billion in cash for Volvo Cars, utilising financing from Chinese institutions and its own balance sheet as well as international capital market resources. The closing consideration reflects adjustments in areas such as pension obligations and working capital.
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Munich, 31st July 2010. BMW will contest all three legs of the 2010 Intercontinental Le Mans Cup 2010 with the BMW M3 GT2. This Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO)-sanctioned championship consists of Silverstone’s 1000-kilometre race in Great Britain, the classic “Petit Le Mans” round in Road Atlanta (US), and the 1000-kilometre season finale in Zhuhai (CN).

In Silverstone and Zhuhai management of the BMW M3 GT2, to be driven by BMW works drivers Jörg Müller (DE) and Dirk Werner (DE), will be in the hands of Schnitzer Motorsport, led by team manager, Charly Lamm (DE). With the 10-hour “Petit Le Mans” counting towards the American Le Mans Series, BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team, together with drivers Dirk Müller (DE)/Joey Hand (US) and Tommy Milner (US)/Bill Auberlen (US), will represent BMW in the event. The ALMS drivers will be supported by Andy Priaulx (GB) and Dirk Werner.

“The Intercontinental Le Mans Cup is offering a new approach to set up a worldwide GT category,” says BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen. “I am convinced the concept will find favour among spectators in 2010 and beyond. In Silverstone and Zhuhai our flag will be flown by BMW Team Schnitzer, while BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team will represent us in Road Atlanta as part of the ALMS campaign. I am looking forward to three exciting races.”

BMW currently is second in the GT category of the American Le Mans Series, while drivers Auberlen/Milner and Dirk Müller/Hand occupy second and third respectively in the drivers’ classification. In the European Le Mans Series, BMW Team Schnitzer has to date contested races in Le Castellet (FR) and Spa-Francorchamps (BE), with the best result being fourth in Belgium thanks to the no. 79 BMW M3 GT2. This year’s Le Mans 24 Hour race in France saw Jörg Müller, Augusto Farfus (BR) and Uwe Alzen (DE) placed sixth in the LM GT2 category.
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Automotive fascination and high-tech at the highest level: the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, makes its Australian debut. This Gullwing model captivates with a purist design, intelligent lightweight construction and superior handling dynamics, and is bound to cause a sensation in the super sports car segment. The new SLS AMG is nothing short of a masterpiece by Mercedes-AMG GmbH. As the first independently developed vehicle, the super sports car is the highlight in the company's more than 40-year history. It not only takes AMG, the performance brand within Mercedes-Benz Cars, into a new era, but also demonstrates development expertise of the very highest order.

The new super sports car from Mercedes-Benz and AMG makes for an alluring proposition with its unrivalled technology package: aluminium spaceframe body with Gullwing doors, AMG 6.3-litre V8 front-mid-engine developing 420 kW/650 Nm of torque and dry sump lubrication, seven-speed double-declutch transmission in a transaxle configuration, sports suspension with aluminium double wishbones and a kerb weight of 1620 kilograms based on the DIN standard – this superlative combination guarantees driving dynamics of the highest order. The front/rear weight distribution of 47 to 53 percent and the vehicle's low centre of gravity are testimony to the uncompromising sports car concept. The 'Gullwing' accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds, before going on to a top speed of 317 km/h (electronically limited). The fuel consumption of 13.3 litres per 100 kilometres (combined) puts it at the front of the competitive lineup.

Design: purist, distinctive and passionate

The purist design of the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG captivates by virtue of its passionate sportiness and its reinterpretation of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL's breathtaking design lines. The stylistic highlights are the striking gullwing doors, which lend an incomparable charisma to the SLS AMG. The long bonnet, the low greenhouse positioned well to the rear and the short rear end with its extendable rear aerofoil stand for dynamism, as do the long wheelbase, the wide track and large 19 and 20-inch wheels. It is not only the gullwing doors that are reminiscent of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL, as the wide radiator grille with its large Mercedes star, the wing-shaped cross fin and the fins on the bonnet and flanks also hark back to the legendary sports car of the 1950s.

Eyecatching features of the side view include the accented wheel arches and the pronounced shoulder line, which extends from the front to the rear end like a taut muscle. Dynamism and power are also communicated by the rear view of the SLS AMG: the gentle slope of the boot lid with the automatically extending aerofoil accentuates the impression of width, as do the flat LED tail lights.
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The BMW M3 GT2 Art Car was one of the main attractions at this year's Le Mans 24 Hours (FR). Images of the work of art, designed by American artist Jeff Koons, were seen around the world. BMW announced a photo contest for all accredited photographers who captured pictures of the car at the “Circuit de la Sarthe”. Six weeks later the winner has been chosen: Rick Dole from St. Augustine, Florida (US), made the biggest impression on the jury, which included BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen and the three drivers of the BMW Art Car, Dirk Werner (DE), Dirk Müller (DE) and Andy Priaulx (GB). As a reward for his photo of the no. 79 BMW M3 GT2, the winner receives a cheque for 1,000 Euros.

From last Wednesday, visitors to the BMW and BMW Motorsport Facebook profiles have been able to view some of the jury's favourite shots. So far, the gallery has been viewed by 1.8 million fans, and more than 8,000 users have shown their appreciation of the work of the motorsport photographers who took part by clicking on the “Like” button.

“The BMW Art Car Photo Contest was very well received among photographers in Le Mans,” says Mario Theissen. “They too are artists, who understand how to capture the special atmosphere at a 24-hour race and the character of the racing car in pictures. Congratulations to Rick Dole, who achieved this feat in style with our 17th BMW Art Car. His photo perfectly captures the unique dynamic of Jeff Koons’ design. However, it was not easy for the jury to decide on a winner. I want to say thank you to all of those who took part for submitting a large number of impressive photographs.”
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Pioneering concept: BMW ConnectedDrive as a personal assistant and adviser providing information when appropriate, anticipating when you might need help, and boosting sheer driving pleasure. Descriptions, downloads and comparisons at a glance: BMW presents a globally unique range of driver assistance systems and mobility services in an interactive overview on the BMW ConnectedDrive internet portal.

With a range of driver assistance systems and mobility services that is unrivalled worldwide, BMW ConnectedDrive delivers maximum comfort, infotainment and safety in the car. Thanks to the intelligent networking of driver, vehicle and environment, needs-based information is on hand at all times, enhancing driving pleasure even further. The range of services offered by BMW ConnectedDrive is being steadily expanded. BMW was the world’s first automotive company to introduce many of them into production vehicles, and many of them are exclusive to BMW models.

The full range of driver assistance systems and mobility services is now presented online in the BMW ConnectedDrive Online Guide. The bmw.connecteddrive.info portal provides an overview of the services currently available, along with thumbnail descriptions and downloads. The BMW ConnectedDrive Online Guide includes functional descriptions for all currently available services up to autumn 2010. It also gives information on their availability for various BMW models and when the services were first introduced, as well as the countries covered and the optional equipment required for using the various services.

With the BMW ConnectedDrive Online Guide, BMW presents for the first time a complete overview documenting its global technology leadership in the field of driver assistance systems and mobility services, as reflected both in the diversity of the range and in the quality of the various systems. The systematic development of networking technologies ranges from the first distance warning device in a test car launched in 1972 to unlimited internet access set to become available for all BMW models in the future.
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