Morning Reads: Wednesday, 23 April 2008

[mika]

TodayÔÇÖs Birthdays / Calendar

An abbreviated Morning Reads ÔÇô Catch up on

BMW ANNOUNCES EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT APPOINTMENTS
04/22/2008

Woodcliff Lake, NJ - April 22, 2008...BMW announces today the following four executive management appointments.
Tom Purves has been appointed to the position of Chief Executive Officer of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Limited. In this capacity he is responsible for the overall global Rolls-Royce business, including production, sales and marketing. He will assume responsibilities in his new position, effective July 1, 2008. In his prior capacity, Tom served as Chairman and CEO of BMW (US) Holding Corp., a position he held since 1999. His responsibilities encompassed all sales, marketing and distribution activities for the BMW and MINI brands of the BMW Group in North, Central and South America. Prior to his arrival in the US, Tom was Sales and Marketing Director of the Rover Group and also served previously as Managing Director of BMW (UK). Tom began his automotive career with Rolls-Royce as an apprentice engineer. His role with the company evolved to include several management positions including sales in Europe the Middle East and Africa.

Jim O'Donnell will assume the position Chairman and CEO of BMW (US) Holding Corp. effective July 1, 2008. Jim recently joined BMW of North America's executive management team as President of BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) on April 1, 2008. In his new role, Jim will also serve as Chairman of BMW NA's Management Board and as the Regional Manager for US, Canada, Mexico, Brazil and Argentina. Jim O'Donnell has been with the BMW Group for 17 years. Prior to arriving in the US he held the position of Managing Director of BMW (UK) Ltd. He also worked as Sales and Marketing Director of BMW South Africa and Sales Director of BMW (UK) Ltd. Before joining BMW Group, Jim held various positions at Ford Motor Company.

Tom Kowaleski has been appointed Vice President of Corporate Communications for BMW of North America, LLC effective May 1, 2008. Tom will have responsibility for the overall management of the Corporate Communications department. Tom Kowaleski has worked in the automotive communications and marketing fields for over 30 years and has broad experience with both domestic and imported manufacturers, including Daimler Chrysler and GM. He is currently the President of ACTK2, a communications consultancy which will continue to operate.

Tom Salkowsky has been appointed as Manager, BMW Corporate Communications for BMW of North America, LLC, effective May 1, 2008. Tom will be specifically responsible for the BMW automotive brand and is a12-year veteran with BMW of North America. Previous to this appointment, Tom served as Manager, Experiential Marketing with overall responsibilities for auto shows, consumer driving events, the BMW Golf Championship and Formula BMW Americas. Tom joined the company in 1996 as a Management Associate and during his career at BMW has held a number of positions including M Brand and Motorsport Manager, Retail Operations Training Manager and Senior Retail Analyst.

Robert D. Mitchell, the previous head of BMW Corporate Communications and a 32 year veteran of BMW, will retire on April 30, 2008.

BMW Group In America
BMW of North America, LLC has been present in the United States since 1975. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars NA, LLC began distributing vehicles in 2003. The BMW Group in the United States has grown to include marketing, sales, and financial service organizations for the BMW brand of motor vehicles, including motorcycles, the MINI brand, and the Rolls-Royce brand of Motor Cars; DesignworksUSA, an industrial design firm in California; a technology office in Silicon Valley and various other operations throughout the country. BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC in South Carolina is part of BMW Group's global manufacturing network and is the exclusive manufacturing plant for all Z4 models and X5 Sports Activity Vehicles and the upcoming X6 Sport Activity Coupe. The BMW Group sales organization is represented in the U.S. through networks of 338 BMW passenger car centers, 335 BMW Sports Activity Vehicle centers, 142 BMW motorcycle retailers, 82 MINI passenger car dealers, and 30 Rolls-Royce Motor Car dealers. BMW (US) Holding Corp., the BMW Group's sales headquarters for North, Central and South America, is located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.


STATEMENT BY IAN ROBERTSON, MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF MANAGEMENT OF BMW AG
04/21/2008
Ladies and Gentlemen-
I would like to welcome you all to the BMW Group Press Conference here today in Beijing.
The BMW Group is proud to present a new vehicle which embodies a whole new dimension of sporting style: the BMW X6.
The BMW X6 creates a whole new vehicle segment: that of the Sports Activity Coupe.
This new vehicle combines the best of both worlds: the versatility of a Sports Activity Vehicle and the dynamic performance of a sports car.
Let's welcome the most sporting and dynamic member of the BMW X family: the new BMW X6!
This full-size coup?® has an athletic design - which won a renowned design prize at its debut in Detroit in the United States.
Its muscular presence is backed by equally powerful engines. The strongest engines in the BMW Group's portfolio were developed specifically for the BMW X6.
The high-performance eight-cylinder engine at the core of the X6's most powerful version is the first to combine Twin Turbo technology with High Precision Injection. It develops a maximum power output of 407 hp.
Like all X models, the X6 features BMW's intelligent all-wheel drive technology, xDrive, which ensures that drive power is always perfectly distributed between the front and rear axle. An electronic control function regulates power distribution in response to driving conditions.
The BMW X6 also introduces a unique innovation for even better handling: BMW Dynamic Performance Control.

Thanks to Dynamic Performance Control, power can be distributed variably between left and right rear wheels, which considerably improves the vehicle's cornering ability.
The combination of BMW Dynamic Performance Control with BMW xDrive makes the X6 incredibly agile.
The vehicle's driving performance is one impressive quality. The BMW X6 also has the best fuel consumption figures and CO2 emissions in its segment.
The new X6 - coming soon to a BMW dealership near you!
Turning now to our sales performance in China: The BMW Group got off to a very good start this year on the Chinese Mainland: In the first quarter we sold nearly 14,000 BMWs, and more than 700 MINIs. BMW retail was up 40 percent on the previous year. MINI retail grew by 112 percent.
We expect this positive trend to continue. By the end of this year we expect to see double-digit growth in retail for both brands.
In 2008 we will also continue to invest in the Chinese market as we press ahead with the expansion of our sales infrastructure. We are increasing production capacity at our plant in Shenyang to 41,000 units this year.
At the same time, good corporate citizenship is very important to us at the BMW Group. Here in China we promote the exchange of technological ideas and are involved in cultural and educational projects as well.
Our goal remains the same: to become the most successful premium car company in the China region.
Sales growth in the other Asian markets has also been very promising. Overall the BMW Group achieved the highest growth rates on the Asian continent: retail sales climbed about 18 percent over the previous year, which makes the Asian markets among the fastest-growing in the world for the BMW Group.
On a broader front, BMW is a leader in creating individual mobility. And individual mobility will only be feasible in the future if we conserve our resources and protect the environment today. For many years, the BMW Group has been researching and developing environmentally-friendly engines for tomorrow's world.
Here in the present, we are already reducing the CO2 emissions of our vehicles on an ongoing basis. Our aim is to achieve efficient dynamic performance - combined with the sheer driving pleasure typical of a BMW. In China and in other Asian countries we currently offer highly-efficient petrol engines incorporating state-of-the-art technologies such as Valvetronic and High Precision Injection.
Our EfficientDynamics strategy sets us apart from the competition.

I am delighted to present to you today another BMW automobile which embodies our idea of efficient, dynamic performance. This model is also our first venture into the compact segment in China.
Here is the BMW 1 Series!
The BMW brand is about offering our customers sheer driving pleasure, even in the compact segment. The BMW 1 Series is the best example of this. As the only rear-wheel drive in the compact segment it doesn't face any direct competition.
We launched the first model of this series four years. Since then we have sold more than 550,000 1 Series vehicles around the world.
In China we will be releasing the five-door model in 120i and 130i versions. We believe there is a clear demand for such a vehicle in China. The compact segment is evolving here and now is the right time for a premium vehicle in this market. We are confident that we will be able to find plenty of eager customers.

Now let me come back to our strategy of Efficient Dynamics - what is the idea behind this concept?
This program is about reducing the fuel consumption and emissions of our vehicles - in the short term, in the medium term, and also in the distant future. No other manufacturer fits more fuel-saving features as standard across the whole fleet.
EfficientDynamics combines efficiency with performance. In every segment our vehicles are equipped with EfficientDynamics. They record the lowest figures for consumption and emissions, but manage to combine that with outstanding driving performance. In that respect, EfficientDynamics is as close as it gets to having the best of both worlds.
Our vehicles have won prizes across the globe for being environmentally-friendly - and rightly so! Last month the BMW 1 Series Hatchback was voted "World Green Car of the Year" in the United States.
The EfficientDynamics concept comprises several stages. The first stage focuses on features that reduce fuel consumption in and around the engine. That means optimizing our engines - petrol and diesel alike.
EfficientDynamics also includes innovative electric water pumps, which only run when really needed. We also use extremely lightweight construction with lightweight components.
The BMW 1 Series offers a number of features designed to reduce fuel consumption. The full benefit of EfficientDynamics is realized when all of its elements are brought together - you could say, like a game of dominoes.
Now you know what EfficientDynamics means today. But this is just the beginning. We are also developing environmentally-friendly, economical technologies, such as the hybrid drive which powers this vehicle: Next year the BMW X6 Active Hybrid will be the first BMW hybrid model to reach the market - it combines both a combustion and an electric engine.
This model uses around 20 percent less fuel than a comparable vehicle with a combustion engine, whilst providing customers with better mileage on all types of roads.
In the medium term we will further electrify the power train by offering a fully-hybrid vehicle. In the long term, we are developing drive trains which do not use any fossil fuels at all. Our hydrogen-driven BMW Hydrogen7 is at the very forefront of this technology. You can also see this model on our stand. It proves that - even today - it is already possible to drive virtually emission-free.
So, with EfficientDynamics we are well prepared for the future.

I would now highlight the subject of diesel power. This is the first time we have presented a diesel engine here in China.
You can see the latest, state-of-the-art straight-six diesel engine with Variable Twin Turbo Technology on our stand.
ÔÇó No other diesel has won the Engine of the Year Award more times.
ÔÇó No other diesel engine offers such dynamic acceleration with such low consumption.

More than 40 percent of all BMW-brand vehicles sold around the world today have a diesel engine. The BMW Group makes the world's most efficient, innovative, sporty diesel engines in the premium segment.

They're so clean and convenient now that we are even releasing them in the US this year. There the federal state of California has the toughest emissions laws in the world.

We therefore consider our BMW diesel engines as highly appropriate for the Chinese market. If infrastructure and local conditions allow, we are prepared to release our diesel models here in China.

We will continue to offer our customers vehicles with innovative features and systems, which offer sheer driving pleasure but are environmentally-friendly all the same. The BMW Group's goal of becoming the biggest premium manufacturer in China remains unchanged. But above all, we want to be number one in the eyes of our customers.

 

[mika]

SPEECH DR. WOLFGANG ARMBRECHT, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT BRAND MANAGEMENT MINI, BMW AG
04/21/2008

Ladies and Gentlemen
Welcome to the MINI stand here at the 10th Auto China!

I am delighted to welcome you here today on behalf of one of the world's most emotional brands. This is MINI's third appearance at the Auto China - I myself am here for the first time. I would like to inspire you and to do this I have three important supporting factors: firstly - the success of a global premium brand, secondly - a Chinese motor show premiere and third - an Asian premiere.

The global fascination with MINI began in London on 26 August 1959. Please allow me to share some of this fascination with you.

Ladies and Gentlemen, what does this Mini stand for?

For authentic and emotional design, unique go-kart feeling, clever use of space and not to forget a wide range of customization options. To make a long story short: This car represents almost 50 years of automotive and lifestyle history!

Sir Alec Issigonis, the engineer and designer-or maybe it would be more appropriate to say: the father-of the classic Mini, gave this car its authentic form with wheels at the outer edges and a transversely fitted engine. Other characteristic features included the large, round headlights, the hexagon grille, and the straight shoulder and roof lines.

All Minis provided great handling and soon became famous among car experts for their typical go-kart feeling. Thanks to the clever use of space, the passenger compartment took up 80 percent of the three-meter long car body. Customisation has been a top priority at MINI from day one: Rally stripes on the bonnet, contrasting white roofs, and numbers on the doors guaranteed a unique and thus individual appearance.

Ladies and Gentlemen, this is what the 1959 Mini stood for!

And the same applies today. Sir Alec Issigonis's words still hold true, and maybe even more so: "The most important thing I have learned is: if you want to want to achieve something, you must never copy your competitors." The MINI is still characterized by short overhangs, a short body length and wheels at the outer edges. Other distinguishing features that have remained unchanged with the New MINI are its authentic and emotional design as well as the unique go-kart feeling. We know that these are the two top criteria for buying a MINI, also here in China. It is a fact: The MINI brand is authentic to the core.

But its heritage is not the only outstanding feature of this premium small car; the product substance also speaks in its favour: MINI offers high-quality workmanship and sophisticated drive technology. The cars provide convincing safety features, great fuel efficiency and maximum reliability. As a result, their resale value is excellent.

Ladies and Gentlemen, today the MINI brand stands for enthusiasm, sustainability and lifestyle spanning generations and social groups.

It is the combination of these factors that have made MINI a global success! Since its relaunch in 2001, we have sold almost 1.2 million units. Following two-digit growth rates in 2007, new record sales will also be achieved in 2008. In the first three months of this year, more than 58,000 customers worldwide bought a MINI-24 percent more than in the same period last year. And MINI is even more successful in China! In Mainland China, we have already delivered 723 MINIs to customers. We had good reason to be pleased with sales to Mainland China in 2007, which doubled to a total of 2,200 units (+108 %). But we have even more reason to be pleased today with sales having soared by another 112 percent since the beginning of the year. As we want to build even closer relationships with our Chinese customers, we opened 13 new dealerships in 2007.

Ladies and Gentlemen, it is now time to move on to our Chinese motorshow premiere: the MINI Clubman!

Once again, this car is a perfect manifestation of the motto: "From the original to the original"!
On the one hand, the MINI Clubman is typically MINI: Its design elements and go-kart feeling are unmistakable. And this car sports the typical MINI icons that are so popular with design fans. The chassis technology which makes it so much fun to drive a MINI has been revised. The MINI Clubman is equipped with a 1.6-litre engine that produces 120 horsepower and guarantees nought-to-one hundred in 10.9 seconds for the automatic-transmission models. With a top speed of 195 km/h, the MINI Clubman is the perfect small car for sporty drivers. And what's even better: It only uses 6.8 litres of fuel for 100 km.

On the other hand, the MINI Clubman is totally different: A one-of-a-kind car, the MINI Clubman represents a type of vehicle unparalleled in its class. It is our modern-day interpretation of a classic "shooting brake"-combining elements of a coupe with the characteristic split door at the rear. It was our intention to make the MINI Clubman a contemporary reinterpretation of a Mini classic car from the 1960s. This is why the MINI Clubman does not fit in with today's vehicle classifications. It is in a class of its own.

As a very special five-door vehicle, the MINI Clubman has numerous unique features:

The split door at the rear makes loading and unloading luggage so much easier. Please go ahead and test it! This is the world's first cushioned split door to facilitate opening and closing! And the club door on the right makes it much easier for rear-seat passengers to enter and exit the car.

Considering that this MINI is less than four meters long, it is extremely versatile: When you fold the rear seats, it has a luggage compartment of almost 1,000 liters.

The MINI Clubman offers a variety of customization options for the interior and exterior which are second to none. Let me give you an example: Available as optional equipment is the world's first ambient light with eight LEDs. So the driver can change the color of the ambient light to match his or her mood.

And I assure you: The future of MINI will be just as individualistic and extravagant.
We are going to expand the MINI portfolio further. The next model in the pipeline is a MINI Crossover. Obviously, this car will also give drivers the full MINI experience-fun to drive and the go-kart feeling. But there will be additional functionalities.
However, before moving on to the finishing straight with my speech, I would like to accelerate once more.

This is our Asian premiere: Please welcome the MINI John Cooper Works CHALLENGE Race Car!

Dear motorsports enthusiasts: This is the fastest MINI in history! 211 horsepower (155 KW), a nought-to-one hundred time in 6.1 seconds and a top speed of 240 km/h speak for themselves. And the MINI synonym for "maximum driving fun" is now "John Cooper Works"! This brand also has an almost 50-year history: John Cooper was a true gentleman, motorsports enthusiast, race driver and entrepreneur. And John Cooper made MINI a race car. We owe to him the initial homologation of the Cooper S. The new John Cooper Works CHALLENGE race car can be ordered on the internet under www.MINI.com and be driven in club sports. Speaking of which, 50 race cars will compete in the MINI CHALLENGE this weekend, in Germany and in Australia.

In future, the entire MINI product range for sports car driving will carry the John Cooper Works label. Which means that it will be an integral part of the MINI brand-a result of the acquisition of the brand rights from John Cooper Garages in January 2007. This MINI John Cooper Works CHALLENGE Race Car is the first MINI in Asia to sport the new John Cooper Works logo, a symbol of outstanding expertise in race driving, passion for performance and an unorthodox spirit. All John Cooper Works components are a perfect fit for MINI and are developed and manufactured to the highest quality standards.

Ladies and Gentlemen, in addition to the two core models Hatch and Convertible, we are now adding a third pillar to the MINI brand here in China. Please see for yourselves how authentic the MINI models and the MINI Clubman are!

Have I already inspired you with my enthusiasm for the MINI brand and John Cooper Works? Or do you need some more convincing? If so, I would be happy to personally present the new models to you. Just come over and enjoy!

I hope you will have a great time here at the stand of the original: the MINI!

Thank you very much!



BMW GROUP DESIGNWORKSUSA DESIGNS INNOVATIVE PREMIUM HOME SPEAKER FOR THE LEGENDARY KLIPSCH?« BRAND
04/21/2008

Los Angeles - April 21, 2008ÔǪ Acoustics and aesthetics blend harmoniously in the new premium Klipsch?« Palladium P-3(TM) 9F floorstanding speaker designed by BMW Group DesignworksUSA. This collaboration resulted in a compelling design and enhanced concert-quality sound for the company"s flagship speaker series, and audio industry authorities have seen and heard the difference.
Earlier this year, the innovative P-39F garnered a top-ten spot on Germany's Audio magazine ranking of speaker reviews in recent years. Also, the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) TechHome Division recognized the speaker as one of three finalists for the 2008 Mark of Excellence Awards in the "Best Speaker - Floorstanding Speaker" category.

Very few speaker companies have been around as long as Klipsch. For over 60 years, the company has developed premium sound solutions that create the most engaging, emotional and dynamic entertainment experiences. From state-of-the-art home theater systems to audiophile-quality architectural speakers and from compact iPod?« speakers to massive professional cinema systems, Klipsch has a product for every lifestyle, application and budget.

"Building on the company's legacy of audio innovation and trends in furniture design, we created a resonant design theme for the new premium speaker inspired by classic audio and contemporary furniture," said Verena Kloos, BMW Group DesignworksUSA President. "The theme naturally links contemporary lifestyle aspirations with the essence of Klipsch's brand values and core technology."

Finished in a horizontal zebra-grain veneer, the cabinet stands nearly five-feet high and reflects the sophisticated audio technology it encases. Its striking curved form, influenced by the catenaries curve of Physics, intrinsically lends structural and visual benefits and optimizes the aural experience.

The new speaker design also celebrates Klipsch's hallmark horn-loaded technology, which delivers high-efficiency sound with low distortion, controlled directivity, flat frequency response and wide dynamic range. Showcasing it in a package befitting of a modern lounge or home theater, the metallic horn is recessed into the top of each cabinet in a jewel-like setting. Meanwhile, the low frequency drivers are modestly concealed below, and the speaker appears to float on a brushed aluminum base.

The elegant mix of materials, rich color-stained zebra-grain veneers with high-luster metal finishes, echoes trends in contemporary home furniture design, compliments a wide range of home d?®cor and imparts a distinctly premium Klipsch presence. The PalladiumÔäó P-39F, priced at around $15,000 per pair, will begin shipping to U.S. specialty retail outlets this summer. For more information, visit: www.klipsch.com/palladium.

About Klipsch
Established in 1946, Klipsch-a wholly owned brand of Klipsch Group, Inc.-is a leading global manufacturer of high-performance loudspeakers and other audio products for the consumer and professional markets. Through proprietary horn-loaded technology, Klipsch is committed to developing loudspeakers that create the most engaging, emotional, and dynamic entertainment experiences. A family tradition, chairman and CEO Fred S. Klipsch and his wife, Judy, purchased the company from founder and cousin Paul W. Klipsch in 1989. Based in Indianapolis, Ind., the company's headquarters is home to one of the most advanced professional audio research facilities in the world. For more information, visit klipsch.com.

About BMW Group DesignworksUSA
With offices in Los Angeles, Singapore and Munich, BMW Group DesignworksUSA is a subsidiary of BMW Group with diverse and cross-functional expertise in the fields of design strategy, design research, brand communications, color and materials, product development, 3D modeling, and engineering. Beyond its automotive design work for BMW Group, the design consultancy is commissioned by a large number of leading companies working in the transportation, consumer electronics, medical, consumer packaged goods, and lifestyle industries. More information can be found at: www.designworksusa.com



The British cult lingerie label "Agent Provocateur" is designing the Life Ball MINI 2008. A feast for the eyes! This unique item will be auctioned on eBay from 5 - 15 June in aid of Life Ball.
04/22/2008

Salzburg. In 2008, MINI will once again be supporting the Life Ball - for the eighth time in a row. This, the largest AIDS charity event in Europe, is the ideal platform for MINI to underline its socio-political commitment.

"Landing on planet Life Ball" - on the evening of 17 May 2008, Life Ball will be inviting guests on a trip through time in which the barriers that separate us will be dissolved, bridges built to supposedly alien cultural universes which actually exist next to each other and the infinite opportunities of social coexistence energetically highlighted. In line with these concepts, the Agent Provocateur lingerie label will be designing the Life Ball MINI 2008. The new MINI Cooper Clubman has been selected as the basis for this exclusive, unique design.

"I love the highly erotic yet stylish pin-up look of Agent Provocateur!", says Life Ball initiator Gery Keszler, commenting on his decision to choose this year's fashion show designer. Agent Provocateur, founded by Serena Rees and her husband Joseph Corre, son of fashion creator Vivienne Westwood, is famous for its wickedly burlesque collections. After the Life Ball, the unique MINI will be auctioned on eBay (www.ebay.at) worldwide from 5-15 June. As in every year, the proceeds will be donated to Life Ball. Until now, the "Life Ball MINIs" - transformed by such famous fashion icons as Missoni, Ferr?® and Versace - have raised donations totalling Ôé¼ 260,000.-.

The "Life Ball MINI by Agent Provocateur".
Agent Provocateur is designing the new Life Ball MINI as a sort of police vehicle: painted black, with typical contrasting pink stripe highlights, and featuring the Agent Provocateur logo. The roof will be covered with a stylised fishnet stocking pattern, crowned by a flashing blue police light. The rear window is reflective, and the windows of the split door at the rear of the vehicle are covered with prison bars. Inside the MINI Clubman, a playground in black leather has been created, with various details designed to stimulate the viewer's imagination - superbly high-quality materials and playful details make the MINI look luxurious and extravagant - a feast for the eyes!

An initial rough design draft of the new "Life Ball MINI designed by Agent Provocateur" can be seen at www.press.bmwgroup.com

MINI. The success story.
Since its market launch in September 2001, everyone has loved the new MINI. Up until now 1.2 Mio. MINI rolled of the production line of the plant in Oxford (UK) in April 2007. Its design, its aura and its agile handling made it a highly desirable vehicle straight away. Since autumn 2007, the four model variants - the MINI Cooper S, MINI Cooper, MINI One and MINI Cooper D - have been fitted as standard with a range of innovations that have improved consumption and emission values even more. Fuel consumption and CO2 emissions have dropped by up to 12 percent, depending on the model - for more information, go to http://www.mini.at/minimalism

The latest member of the MINI family has also successfully contributed to rising MINI sales: the MINI Clubman has been available since 10 November 2007 and, as an individual shooting brake vehicle concept, has expanded the MINI model range to three versions. More information on MINI is available at www.mini.com

 

[mika]

Tom Purves appointed CEO of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars +++ Jim O??Donnell will be responsible for sales in all American markets in future
04/22/2008

Munich. As of 1 July this year, Tom Purves (59) will become Chief Executive Officer of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Ltd., a subsidiary of BMW AG at Goodwood, in Great Britain. On the same date, his position of President of the sales region for all American markets will be taken over by Jim O??Donnell (58), who will thus be responsible not only for North America but also for all other BMW Group sales companies in America.
Tom Purves will assume the post of Chief Executive Officer of Rolls-Royce Mo-tor Cars Ltd., following the appointment of Ian Robertson (49) in March of this year to the Board of Management of BMW AG, where he is responsible for BMW Group Sales and Marketing. Mr Robertson will remain chairman of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Ltd.


Wonderings

Ever have one of those weeks where you go into it know it will be crazy and then you get up on Wednesday and realize you are on plan Q of the 14th revision of what you need to do and what your resources are and you check the calendar and its Wednesday the third day of the week and you are 6 days behind and it is only Wednesday and Friday seems like it is 2 weeks away then you realize that you are babbling in what you are writing and there is no punctuation in the paragraph or is it only a sentence who cares well maybe you do but I made myself late by writing this run on sentence so you are on your own?

Well?

I think I’ll go down to the official Lilydale gas station say hi to the gas loan officer as I find out what the interest rate is on a tank of gasohol, get a cup of coffee and change for my buck instead. Then I will get a chuckle as the cashier says have a nice day as I walk out the door. And I will because she made me chuckle.




Bike Candy

The End

 

[PAULBACH]

Wonderings

Ever have one of those weeks where you go into it know it will be crazy and then you get up on Wednesday and realize you are on plan Q of the 14th revision of what you need to do and what your resources are and you check the calendar and its Wednesday the third day of the week and you are 6 days behind and it is only Wednesday and Friday seems like it is 2 weeks away then you realize that you are babbling in what you are writing and there is no punctuation in the paragraph or is it only a sentence who cares well maybe you do but I made myself late by writing this run on sentence so you are on your own?

Well?

Well? It's Morning Reads and my day is now started by by thinking about the China Auto Show and what it means. Thank you Mika for waking up those brain cells that the caffein missed.

When the people of India and China start owing cars what does that mean for the price of gas?

Are gasoline fueled cars as we know them on the way to extinction? I lived in London and never needed a car. Was happy to commute from Marlebone to West Ruislip and catch a nap along the way. Maybe our society should be looking to digging up old rail lines.

Does a family really need two cars, three cars and multiple motorcycles.

Most of the cages I see going to work still have one driver in them. The price of gas could be cut in half by car pooling.

Today I am going to dig out that bicycle that has been gathering dust. Good for the waistline and good for the economy.