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Morning Reads: 11 November 2007

mika

Still Wondering
TodayÔÇÖs Birthdays / Calendar

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TED: Ideas worth spreading
TED Blog,Conferences, Themes, Talks and Speakers

BMW AG: Share price performance

BMW Press: News and press releases from the official BMW sources



PressClub Canada

MINI Canada announces 2008 Product Updates and Pricing.
11/09/2007

Whitby. MINI Canada is pleased to announce pricing and equipment adjustments for the 2008 MINI model lineup.
Still fresh from their February 2007 debut, the new-generation MINI hatchbacks continue to gain momentum in their latest, yet ever-familiar incarnation, while the ever-popular MINI Convertible will extend its chic open-air appeal into the coming year.

MINI Hatchbacks

The trio of new-generation MINI hatchback models sprint into 2008 with strategic revisions to standard and optional equipment and pricing that is lower than 2007 models.

New standard equipment on all 2008 MINI hatchbacks models includes the One-Touch Window Up feature, a welcome convenience enhancement for front-seat occupants. Model-specific changes are as follows:

* 2008 MINI Cooper
The 2008 MINI Cooper, powered by the new-generation 1.6-litre,118 horsepower four-cylinder engine with fully variable valve timing technology, continues to benchmark the premium compact segment.

Offering unparalleled agility, spirited performance, flexible ergonomics and exceptional fuel economy, while retaining its legendary ÔÇ£MINIÔÇØcharacter traits, the MINI Cooper heads into 2008 with refinements to standard equipment and two new option packages:

- An On-Board Computer becomes standard equipment.
- Two new option packages, the Comfort Package and the Convenience Package, replace the previously offered Premium Package, offering customers enhanced customization and greater price flexibility:
o The new Comfort Package includes a dual-panel Glass Sunroof and Three Stage Heated Front Seats.
o The new Convenience Package includes a Multifunction Steering Wheel with Cruise Control, Auto Dimming Interior Mirror, Rain Sensing Windshield Wipers and Automatic Headlamps.
- The Sport Package has an option price $400 lower than MY 2007 and no longer includes the Anthracite Headliner or White indicator lights.
- A new Media Connect stand-alone option now includes Bluetooth Wireless Technology and USB Audio integration.
- Multifunction Steering Wheel and Cruise Control, along with Metallic Paint, and Bi-Xenon Headlights now become optional rather than standard equipment.
- Previously unavailable on the MINI Cooper, the upholstery palette has now been expanded to include Carbon Black Punch Leather, Tuscan Beige Leather, Carbon Black Lounge Leather and Redwood Red Lounge Leather ÔÇô making for an exceptional array of interior choices.

The MSRP of the 2008 MINI Cooper is $24,800 - $1,100 lower than the 2007 model. With a fuel economy rating of 5.4 l/100km (highway), the MINI Cooper equipped with the 6-speed manual transmission also qualifies for the $1,000 ecoAUTO government rebate.


* 2008 MINI Cooper Classic
The 2008 MINI Cooper Classic continues to offer an impressive list of standard equipment combined with a compact option list, allowing it to lead the MINI hatchback family in value.

With the same1.6 litre, 118 horsepower four-cylinder engine as its MINI Cooper stablemate, the MINI Cooper Classic shares the same lively performance, fuel economy, go-kart handling and ÔÇ£off the scaleÔÇØ fun factor. The MINI Cooper Classic enters 2008 with minimal changes:

- The newly-named optional Classic Convenience Package replaces the previous Premium Package and continues to include Heated Front Seats and Front and Rear Fog Lights.
- The only additional stand-alone option is a 6-Speed Automatic Transmission with Steptronic.
- The Multifunction Steering Wheel with Cruise Control is no longer available.

With a highly attractive MSRP of $22,800, the 2008 MINI Cooper Classic is $150 lower than the 2007 model. The fuel-sipping MINI Cooper Classic also qualifies for the $1000 ecoAUTO government rebate when equipped with the 6-speed manual transmission, making for an unprecedented entry price to MINI ownership.


* 2008 MINI Cooper S
The high performance member of the 2008 MINI hatchback family, the 2008 MINI Cooper S continues to flex its 172 horsepower, direct-injected and turbocharged muscle with equipment and option package revisions that make it an even more attractive choice for the driving enthusiast:

- An On-Board Computer becomes standard equipment.
- The comprehensive Technology Package and Premium Package from 2007 have been dropped in favour of three new option packages which provide significantly more alternatives to ÔÇ£build your ownÔÇØ MINI Cooper S:
o The new Navigation Package combines On-Board Navigation with Voice Control.
o The new Comfort Package includes the highly popular combination of dual-panel Glass Sunroof and Heated Front Seats.
o The new Convenience Package includes Auto Dimming Interior Mirror, Rain Sensing Windshield Wipers, Automatic Headlamps and Automatic Climate Control (ACC is no longer available as a stand-alone option).
- A new Media Connect stand-alone option now includes Bluetooth Wireless Technology and USB Audio integration.
- Metallic Paint, Auto Dimming Interior Mirror and Rain Sensor with Automatic Headlamps become optional rather than standard equipment.
- The Limited Slip Differential option, exclusive to the MINI Cooper S, has been repriced from $650 to $350 to promote not only its performance benefits, but its contribution to enhanced safety in all road conditions.

With an MSRP of $29,900, the 2008 MINI Cooper S is $700 lower than the 2007 model, which, with its significantly broader range of equipment configurations, reinforces its premier position in the performance category of the premium compact segment.

The 2008 MINI hatchbacks will arrive in MINI showrooms in February, 2008.

MINI Convertibles

The wildly successful MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper S Convertible duo will continue to offer the highest open-air fun quotient on the market in 2008.

* 2008 MINI Cooper Convertible
The MINI Cooper Convertible transitions into 2008 without changes - its now classically chic and sexy coachwork, go-kart handling and 1.6 litre,115 horsepower engine combining to provide a uniquely dynamic driving experience and head-turning appeal.

MSRP is unchanged at $31,600.

* 2008 MINI Cooper S Convertible
The muscular MINI Cooper S Convertible will continue to excite with its 168 horsepower supercharged engine and 6-speed transmission, adding high performance to the already undeniable allure of top-down motoring.

While the MINI Cooper S Convertible enters the 2008 model year without any standard equipment changes, the highly popular optional Sidewalk Package will add an all-new color to the already unique exterior palette - White Silver Metallic, which joins Sparkling Silver Metallic as Sidewalk-exclusive choices.

The 2008 MINI Cooper S will also continue to be available with the ultra-high performance John Cooper Works Package which mates a 208 horsepower engine conversion with chassis and brake upgrades and a limited-slip differential.

MSRP for the 2008 MINI Cooper S Convertible is unchanged at $36,600.

The 2008 MINI Convertibles are in MINI showrooms now.


MINI Clubman

As announced in our press release of July 28, 2007, the exciting new MINI Clubman is scheduled for introduction in Canada in the spring of 2008. Additional details and pricing for the MINI Clubman will be released closer to market launch.


PressClub UK

Strong start to the 4th quarter for BMW Group
11/08/2007

Sales increase by 13% in a monthly comparison
MINI supplies almost a third more cars

Munich. In October, the BMW Group came a large step closer to its sales target for the whole year - an increase in the higher single-digit range. The number of BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce vehicles delivered rose by 13.2% in comparison with the same month last year (108,897) to reach 123,304 cars. For the year to the end of October, the BMW Group handed over 1,218,588 vehicles to customers, which is 88,141 more than in the same period in 2006
(prev.yr.: 1,130,447 / +7.8%).

The sale of BMW cars rose in the month under review to 105,208 units
(prev.yr.: 94,992 / +10.8%). Never before have so many BMW vehicles been delivered to customers in October.

For the year to the end of October, sales of BMW automobiles passed the million mark (1,034,903, prev.yr.: 969,215 / +6.8%). This is also a new record.

The biggest sales increases in the first 10 months of 2007 were recorded by the new versions of the BMW 3 Series Coup?® and Cabrio and the BMW X5, which are all in great demand. Sales of these vehicles were in the upper ranges of what had been expected. Up to the end of October, for example, 73,217 units of the
3 Series Coup?® had been delivered to customers. This is almost three times (+185.9%) the figure sold in the comparable period last year (25,611). Sales of the 3 Series Cabrio in the period under review rose to 43,747, which is double (+100.6%) the previous year (21,810). The BMW X5 is also extremely popular: 92,770 units of this Sports Activity Vehicle were delivered to customers, which is an increase of 48.0% (prev.yr.: 62,699). At the same time, the little brother of the X5, the BMW X3, recorded a 3.0% increase over the already high sales level of the previous year (89,159) to reach 91,868 units.

Stefan Krause, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Sales and Marketing, stated: "The driving forces behind the success of the BMW brand at the moment are the new generation of relatively high-selling, high-profit vehicles. This is taking us well on the way towards the annual targets that we have already published."

MINI sales rise in October by 30.1%
Volume sales of MINI brand vehicles increased particularly dramatically in October. With 17,989 units sold, sales are 30.1% above the level of the same month last year (13,828). In the first ten months of 2007, 182,999 MINI were delivered to customers worldwide (prev.yr.: 160,680 /+13.9%). The annual target that the BMW Group envisages for MINI sales is over 220,000 units.

Powered by the new Rolls-Royce cabriolet, the Phantom Drophead Coup?®, the Rolls-Royce brand enjoyed very dynamic growth. In October, 107 automobiles were delivered to customers (prev.yr.: 77/+39.0%). The number of vehicles delivered in the first ten months of the year is 686 (prev.yr.: 552 /+24.3%).

Sales of motorcycles in October 2007 reached 6,907 vehicles
(prev.yr.: 6,926/-0.3%). For the year to the end of October, the number of BMW motorcycles delivered therefore rose by 4.0% to 89,686 (prev.yr.: 86,259).

BMW Group sales in/up to and including October 2007 at a glance

In Oct. 07 comp. w. prev.yr. Up to & incl. Oct. 07 comp.w. prev.yr.
BMW Group automobiles 123,304 + 13.2% 1,218,588 + 7.8%
BMW 105,208 + 10.8% 1,034,903 + 6.8%
MINI 17,989 + 30.1% 182,999 + 13.9%
Rolls-Royce 107 + 39.0% 686 + 24.3%
BMW motorcycles 6,907 - 0.3% 89,686 + 4.0%


BMW Sauber F1: Website

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News:

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The Easier Rider: Baby Boom bikers Defect to the Trike

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RidleyÔÇÖs 2008 Automatic Motocycles

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thekneeslider.com
Recumbent Motorcycle at Znug Design


Packer News

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The News-Record ÔÇô Gillette Wyoming

Feature:

Moto Morini is in the GS battle with its Granpasso 1200

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Blog Update

Foreign Language Blogs


Over Heard in New York | Voice of the City


Photography / Video:


Links to the Photo Assignment threads:

11/10/2007: Harmony

11/03/2007: Pure & Simple

10/27/2007: Open Wide

10/19/2007: Shadow of a Doubt

10/13/2007: Group Dynamic

10/06/2007: Blue

09/29/2007: Evolution

09/22/2007: Balance

09/15/2007: Where I Want to Be

09/08/2007: A Long Way to Go


M.R. Traveler

US Forest Service Fall Color Hotline

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Why Leaves Change Color?

If you want the latest leaf color reports ...

NY 800-225-5697
VT 800-837-6668
MA 800-227-6277
ME 800-777-0317
RI 401-222-2601
CT 800-282-6863

The Best Fall Foliage Sites in America

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Bike Candy:

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]THE END
 
Not ready for three wheels yet ...

I'm a long, long way from three wheels but if one had to switch to three wheels would you prefer:

trike.jpg

Two Wheels In Back

or

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Two Wheels Up Front
 
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