Congratulations to BMW USA on the 2,000,000 BMW Produced in South Carolina

Rick Hendrick BMW congratulates BMW USA as they celebrate 2,000,000 vehicles produced in U.S.




From the: BMW Manufacturing News Center
SPARTANBURG, S.C. - 01/12/2012
BMW announced today that the company will invest nearly $900 million U.S. dollars and add 300 new jobs in 2012 in its South Carolina plant. This announcement was made during a ceremony to commemorate a major production milestone – 2,000,000 vehicles have rolled off the assembly line since the company began U.S. production in 1994.
Frank-Peter Arndt, BMW Group Board Member responsible for Production, revealed the company's intention to expand its X-model family. He revealed that production of the new BMW X4 will occur at the Spartanburg plant, spurring significant investment and job creation necessary to prepare the facility for the new model.


"I am delighted to announce today, over the next three years, we plan to invest nearly $900 million U.S. dollars. With this investment, we will be able to produce 350,000 units here in the mid-term," said Arndt. "This is one reaction to the rising global demand for our BMW X Models."


Governor Nikki Haley spoke at the ceremony saying, "BMW has once again provided tremendous evidence that South Carolina is a blueprint for significant economic development success. The partnership between this company and our state is an enduring example of how to attract, retain and grow business to stimulate perpetual job creation."


"Two million vehicles have prepared our team well to meet the new opportunities that lie ahead for our plant. We look forward to a new model with great anticipation. For nearly 20 years, this team has always proven their steadfast commitment to producing quality vehicles for our customers around the world," remarked Josef Kerscher, President of BMW Manufacturing.


"I am thrilled to celebrate the two millionth BMW today," said Bobby Hitt, Secretary of Commerce for South Carolina. "BMW's impact on South Carolina's economy and overall competitiveness is always worth celebrating. This new economic investment and commitment of jobs is a testament to South Carolina's strong automotive manufacturing industry."


With the addition of 300 new jobs this year, the plant will raise production capacities up to 300,000 units. By the end of the year, the plant will employ nearly 7,500 people at its more than 4.0 million-square-foot-facility. Since the original 1992 decision to build BMW's only U.S. plant in South Carolina, today's announcement brings BMW Group's total investment in the state to nearly $6 billion U.S. dollars and represents its largest, single investment to date in its South Carolina plant.


In 2011, the plant produced 276,065 vehicles for over 130 markets around the world representing a 73% increase versus 2010. Seventy percent of the vehicles produced (192,813) were exported making BMW the largest automotive exporter to the non-NAFTA countries. Sales of the vehicles produced at the plant have met with continued high demand. According to Arndt, throughout the world, more that 117,000 X3's were sold in 2011 representing a 156% growth of this vehicle versus its predecessor.


The two millionth vehicle to roll off the line in Spartanburg was a Vermillion Red Metallic X3 xDrive35i driven by BMW Associate Terry Gardner, a 16-year BMW veteran. The vehicle featured Oyster Nevada interior and an M Sport Package. Accompanying the driver, were associates: Renita Williams, Trung Phan and Olga Yurchenko. These associates represent teams from each of the plant's manufacturing technologies: Body, Paint and Assembly.


While all vehicles are custom ordered prior to production, this symbolic vehicle will remain on display at the Spartanburg Plant to commemorate the milestone.


Also making remarks at the milestone event were German Ambassador to the United States Peter Ammon, United States Congressman Trey Gowdy and Spartanburg County Council Chairman Jeffrey Horton.


Since 1994, the plant has undergone four major expansions and produced 6 different BMW models and their variants (318i, Z3, Z4, X5, X6, X3). Employment has grown from 500 in 1994 to more than 7,000 today.


To read more South Carolina news from BMW visit http://bmwusfactory.com/.

Rick Hendrick BMW helps to support East Cooper Community Outreach and the Low Country Food Bank

Everyone at Rick Hendrick BMW was thrilled to support the recent Charleston Drive Facebook initiative to raise funds the Low Country Food Bank and East Cooper Community Outreach (ECCO). They both do amazing work in our community.


We wanted to know more and were thrilled to learn a bit about ECCO. They have a cornerstone empowerment program that works intensively with young mother’s and families to break the cycle of generational poverty. Great results are happening with this program, and many of the women go on to better jobs and/or continued education.

Also, here is a link to their YouTube page. Great videos showcasing ECCO, and the one entitled “Welcome to East Cooper Community Outreach” is a wonderful video showing the history of ECCO, their programs, and the impact they have on the community. http://www.youtube.com/user/ECCOCharleston/videos.

If you would like to know more, set up a time to visit ECCO. We think you will be very impressed to see the programs in action.


http://www.eccocharleston.org/
(843) 849-9220-main line
(843) 416-7123-direct line
(843) 849-0943-fax

BMW Group expands U.S. plant in South Carolina

Just Announced by BMW!!!

We at Rick Hendrick BMW are so thrilled to have BMW in our State! thanks for all you do!


BMW Group expands U.S. plant in South Carolina
TOP
12.01.2012
Company to invest a further USD 900 million
Around 300 new jobs for Spartanburg
Two-millionth vehicle rolls off the assembly line
Arndt announces X-model family expansion with BMW X4

Spartanburg/Munich. The BMW Group is expanding capacity at its U.S. plant in Spartanburg. “We plan to invest over the next three years nearly USD 900 million in the Spartanburg plant by 2014. This will create 300 new jobs by the end of this year. This will allow us to produce 350,000 units in Spartanburg in the mid term,” says Frank-Peter Arndt, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible for Production, in Spartanburg on Thursday. The BMW Group already invested USD 750 million in the expansion of the plant for production of the new BMW X3 between 2008 and 2010.

“This is in response to rising global demand for our BMW X models and the expansion of the BMW X family to include the BMW X4,” Arndt explains at a ceremony to celebrate production of the two-millionth vehicle at the BMW plant in South Carolina since 1994. The move will bring the BMW Group’s total investment in South Carolina to nearly USD six billion.

The Governor of the State of South Carolina, Nikki Haley, speaks at the ceremony, saying: “BMW has once again provided tremendous evidence that South Carolina is a blueprint for significant economic development success. The partnership between this company and our State is an enduring example of how to attract, retain and grow business to stimulate perpetual job creation.”

Production in Spartanburg reached new high in 2011

Last year, the BMW plant in Spartanburg produced 276,065 vehicles for more than 130 markets around the world, representing an increase of 73% over the previous year. The BMW X3 also played a major role in this positive development. Global sales of this highly-successful model rose 156% in 2011 to reach a total of 117,944 vehicles.

More than 70% of the vehicles produced in Spartanburg (192,813) were exported, making the BMW Group the largest automotive exporter to the non-NAFTA countries.

Four expansions already at U.S. plant

Since it opened in 1994, the BMW plant in Spartanburg has already undergone four expansions and produced six different BMW models (318i, Z3, Z4, X5, X6, X3) and their variants. Employment has grown from 500 initially to more than 7,000 today.

Clean production

BMW’s Spartanburg plant is state-of-the-art in terms of environmental protection. Advanced production processes have made vehicle production even more environmentally-compatible: Over the past five years, it was possible to lower energy consumption by 48%, halve water consumption, reduce CO2 emissions by 44% and waste by 65% by car. In 2010, for example, the Spartanburg plant generated almost 62 million kilowatt hours of electricity from a methane gas energy centre located on the grounds of the facility and supplied by a local landfill. This accounts for over 37% of the entire plant’s total electrical demand.

USA largest market for BMW Group in 2011

The BMW Group is the leading manufacturer of premium automobiles in the U.S., the world’s largest market for premium automobiles. Last year, the BMW Group increased sales of its BMW and MINI brand vehicles in the U.S. by almost 15% to reach a total of 305,418 vehicles. The American market was therefore the largest market for the BMW Group in 2011.

For questions please contact:

Corporate Communications
Martina Hatzel, Communications Production Network
Telephone: +49 89 382 –11966 , martina.hatzel@bmw.de

Micaela Sandstede, Business Communications
Telephone: +49 89 382-61611, micaela.sandstede@bmw.de

Media Website: www.press.bmwgroup.com
E-Mail: presse@bmw.de

The BMW Group
The BMW Group is one of the most successful manufacturers of automobiles and motorcycles in the world with its BMW, MINI, Husqvarna Motorcycles and Rolls-Royce brands. As a global company, the BMW Group operates 25 production and assembly facilities in 14 countries and has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.
During the financial year 2010, the BMW Group sold 1.46 million cars and more than 110,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax for 2010 was euro 4.8 billion on revenues amounting to euro 60.5 billion. At 31 December 2010, the BMW Group had a workforce of approximately 95,500 employees.
The success of the BMW Group has always been built on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain, comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy. As a result of its efforts, the BMW Group has been ranked industry leader in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes for the last seven years.


www.bmwgroup.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BMWGroup
Twitter: http://twitter.com/BMWGroup
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/BMWGroupview

Why Certified Pre- Owned BMW

Questioning why you should buy a Certified Pre-Owned BMW when you can pick up a used car from a private owner at much less? Buying from a private used car seller may cost less initially, but the long-term repair costs after purchase can significant you may have saved in the deal.  Not buying from a reliable dealer that screens and certifies its selection of pre-owned vehicles and backs them up with the full weight of the dealership can result in a disappointing ownership experience.  And unexpected repairs, such as:

Engine Repairs: There are hundreds of internal lubricated parts. The average repair for an internal engine failure repair costs between $2000 and $5000 plus if the engine needs replaced, and there may be symptoms present that are not detectable by the average used car buyer.With certified pre-owned BMW you can avoid that hassle because each car is carefully inspected by BMW trained engineers so that you have the complete peace of mind. 

Transmission Repairs: There are internal lubricated parts, including seals, gaskets and clutches that work interdependently. The average cost of repair for internal failure cost between $2000 - $4000 or more for the average vehicle. Again, there may be symptoms present that are not detectable by the average used car buyer.

Drive Axles and Differential Repairs: Repairs to any of the vehicles drive axles or differentials can be very expensive, especially if they were not maintained. The average repair costs can range from $1000 - $2000 for an internal failure, more if the complete assembly needs to be replaced.

Four Wheel Drive: These are also very complex systems that are very expensive to repair or replace, costing $1000 - $2000.

Steering System Repairs: There are 100+ individual parts (moving and stationary) - The average cost of repair is $500 - $1500.

Suspension System Repairs: There are many individual parts depending on advanced systems; the average cost of repair is $500 to $1000 or more.

Brake Repairs: There are many individual wearable parts not including the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) - The average cost of repair is $350 to over $1000.

Cooling System Repairs: There are many components in the cooling system that are affected by the normal wear and tear of driving; the average cost of repair is over $400. Timing belt driven water pumps can cost over $900.

Seals And Gaskets Repairs: Cylinder head gaskets and intake manifold gaskets are common failures to many vehicles; the average cost of repair can range from $500 to over $1000.

Air Conditioner And Heater Repairs: Many vehicles do not blow cold air. The seller states it just needs a tune-up charge of Freon. This means the original charge must have leaked out somewhere over time. A professional inspector has many years of training and experience to detect where Freon normally leaks and may be able to tell with a visual inspection of the air conditioning components if there is evidence of leakage.  The average cost of repair can be over $1000!!

Electrical System Repairs: Many electrical component problems can go undetected to the untrained eye. The average cost of repair can be over $500. 

Source: National Auto Inspection Services

If you are considering buying a pre-owned BMW, don’t forget the reliability and peace of mind that comes with the purchase of a Certified Pre-Owned BMW.   
  

Rick Hendrick BMW Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles

A Time for Giving

This year, the Management Team at Rick Hendrick Imports and Rick Hendrick BMW, on behalf of all our employees, gave our Executive General Manager, Brad Davis, what we hope will be a very special gift for Christmas. We were able to provide a book for each child at CC Blaney Elementary School and books for the Media Center as well. Brad and some of the staff went to CC Blaney Elementary School on Friday, December 16th to hand deliver books to each of the children. For over 300 students that attend the school, a book was the perfect gift.

Upon returning to the dealership, Brad Davis commented: “I just got back from CC Blaney Elementary School and had the pleasure of passing out books to more than 300 appreciative students that range from Head Start (Age 2) to 6th Graders. The smiles, thank yous, singing and hugs made this one of the best Christmas Presents I have ever received. “

We are proud to support our local Charleston County School District Schools and especially CC Blaney Elementary. We have developed a special bond with the students and staff and are so proud of what they accomplish every day. We look forward to our continued partnership and more opportunities for our employees and clients to get involved!

Happy Holidays from all of us at Rick Hendrick BMW

Holiday Joy from Rick Hendrick BMW

   


Holiday Joy is BMW and now through the end of December you can increase your joy by saving 15% off* your next service visit to Rick Hendrick BMW.

If you are still shopping for that perfect gift for a special someone, Look no further!  Create extra Holiday Joy when you visit our BMW Parts and Accessories Boutique and take advantage of 20% off* In-Stock Accessories and Apparel!
Call 843.763.8403 or for a more convenient way to schedule your next service,
book it on line at www.RickHendrickBMW.com.
Please present this email to your Service Advisor or Boutique Associate upon arrival to ensure your savings. 

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*Offer excludes Oil Changes, Tires, Brake Flush and Standard Scope and is not valid with any other offer.  Other exclusions may apply.  Not valid on previously performed services.  Offer expires 12.31.11.

Save up to $2500 on a new BMW or rates as low as 0% on select Certified Pre-Owned BMWs

Join Rick Hendrick BMW now through the end of the year and take advantage of amazing savings opportunities. 

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