Hot rumor : BMW Plant to Hire 700 Workers

The BMW plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina has announced today that it will add two production shifts to its work week. The added production will require 700 workers in addition to those the plant currently employs.

The South Carolina manufacturing facility produces the X5 and X6 for the German automaker. As the hiring process begins, previous BMW workers will be offered employment first. The first shift will be added immediately with the second to follow in November.

The increased production comes from a September sales increase of 3.6 percent, ahead of the industry decrease of 26 percent. "BMW continues to guarantee our plant's flexibility to efficiently respond to market demand," stated Josef Kerscher, President of BMW Manufacturing in the press release. He also added that "In order to meet customer demand, our plant must maintain its ability to adjust shifts and staffing levels as needed. The market is a rollercoaster right now."

The Spartanburg plant has been manufacturing BMWs since 1994. The plant has produced over 1.5 million vehicles since then. The South Carolina plant has been the sole provider worldwide of the X5, X6, and Z4 models. It has also provided partial production of the X3 and Z3.

Source BMW and Detroit Free Press

2009 BMW 7-Series High Security

BMW is following the release of its new-for-2009 7-Series with the release of two armored versions of its range-topping luxury sedans, the 750Li High Security and the 760Li High Security.

BMW says the armored versions of its sedan were developed at the same time as the consumer models, with specialized chassis and suspension components worked into the design to accommodate the extra weight of the vehicle's steel-plated cabin.

In the passenger compartment, the roof, doors, pillars, front footwells, and separation wall between the passenger and luggage compartment are armor-plated. A model-specific gap sealing ensures the door cuts and body joint lines are safely sealed as well. Underneath, the vehicle is armored with special plating designed to provide maximum protection from explosions. The window panes are also covered with a multi-layer laminated glass cover, along with a polycarbonate layer on the inside to prevent them from shattering.

The models come with their own set of optional equipment. An intercom system with concealed microphones and speakers can be installed to allow occupants to communicate with people outside the vehicle without opening the doors or windows. A fire suppression system monitors the engine compartment and the area below the vehicle, dousing both areas if necessary. A gas irritant detection system can automatically close all windows, stop the ventilation system and close the fresh air valves, and activate an internal fresh-air supply system.

For government use, BMW provides options such as flag holders, a center console that accommodates two machine guns, an external roof-mounted beacon with LED flashing lights for the front grille, and an acoustic signaling system.

All High Security 7-Series models are built in-house by BMW, and are available through BMW dealerships. Both models meet VR7 and VR9 ballistic protection levels.

Specs 2009 BMW M 3

• 3,999 cc 4.0 liters V 8 front engine with 92.0 mm bore, 75.2 mm stroke, 12.0 compression ratio, double overhead cam, variable valve timing/camshaft and four valves per cylinder S65
• Premium unleaded fuel 91
• Multi-point injection fuel system
• 16.6 gallon main premium unleaded fuel tank 13.8
• Power: 309 kW , 414 HP SAE @ 8,300 rpm; 295 ft lb , 400 Nm @ 3,900 rpm

Profile : BMW Company

Bavarian Motor Works (Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft) was founded in 1913 by Karl Friedrich Rap as Bavarian Aircraft Works (Bayerische Flugzeug-Werke) or BFW. The company would change its moniker to its present name after being purchased from Rapp by Franz Josef Popp, the company's first chairman.

BMW originally built aircraft engines. In 1919, shortly after Popp's takeover, it would develop its first motorcycle engine, the Victoria. The first BMW motorcycle, the R32, would arrive in 1924. It was in 1928, though, which BMW rolled out its first car, the BMW 3/15.

World War II and its aftermath slowed the company considerably. At one point, upper management was seriously considering rival Daimler-Benz's offer to purchase BMW. Herbert Quandt, a major shareholder, nixed the deal. Later, under the guidance of such CEOs as Eberhard von Kuenheim, BMW moved from a local automaker to an international brand. (Note that the Quandt family continues to be major shareholders of BMW and wield considerable influence within the company.)

The Seventies brought what are now known as the 5, 3, and 7-Series. In 1994, BMW purchased several smaller brands such as Austin, MINI, Land Rover, and Triumph. It found itself in a bidding war in 1998 with Volkswagen to acquire Bentley and Rolls-Royce from Vickers plc. Though it lost the bidding, it assumed the Rolls-Royce name from Rolls-Royce plc. This resulted in the Rolls-Royce Phantom in 2003.

BMW took a risk in 2000 when it unveiled its new "Series" sedans designed and approved by car designer Chris Bangle. Until then, BMWs had been known for their more conservative sheetmetal. While traditionalists continue to howl, the current Series cars (especially the 3-Series); the X3 and X5 SUVs; and Z4 roadsters have propelled BMW sales worldwide to its current position as the number one luxury automaker internationally.