Tag Archives: signed

BMW continues its partnership with the Cannes Film Festival and presents a particular one-off creation within the French resort.

Munich/Cannes. BMW has signed up as Official Automotive Partner of the Cannes Film Festival for the third yr in a row. This means guests to the pageant will as soon as once more have the ability to get pleasure from an unique shuttle service that includes luxurious automobiles from the premium carmaker’s present vary. BMW can be utilizing its Cannes highlight for a particular automobile presentation. Following the profitable world premiere of the BMW Films manufacturing The Calm final yr, BMW will now introduce a one-off creation based mostly on the BMW XM as a part of the inventive collaboration with British supermodel Naomi Campbell.

Now in its 77th yr, the celebrated Cannes Film Festival will as soon as once more appeal to a plentiful solid of filmmakers, actors and cinema lovers from everywhere in the world to the Côte d’Azur on 14 – 25 May 2024. But the presentation of the coveted Palme d’Or is just not the one present on the town; in the course of the pageant, heads more and more flip in direction of the approach to life stylish and glamour of the Croisette and lots of different Cannes hotspots. For premium model BMW, the occasion due to this fact offers the perfect stage on which to exhibit its newest luxury-segment fashions to a discerning worldwide viewers.

To this finish, organisers and visitors alike may have regionally emission-free premium mobility at their disposal. The unique fleet of shuttles chauffeuring the celebs and VIPs over the roads across the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès may even be obtainable to the pageant organisers and a few of its Official Partners. It contains greater than 200 automobiles, amongst them the all-electric BMW i7, BMW iX and BMW i5, plus the BMW XM with plug-in hybrid drive system.

Creative collaboration with Naomi Campbell produces one-of-a-kind end result.

BMW has prolonged the partnership with Naomi Campbell that it launched final yr. The newest product of this inventive collaboration is the BMW XM Mystique Allure. Inspired by the supermodel, this distinctive tackle the XM will make a really particular look in Cannes on 15 May.

The collaboration took its first steps final yr with the “Dare to be You” launch marketing campaign for the BMW XM. Alongside her profitable catwalk profession, Naomi Campbell has additionally established herself as an actor and inventive visionary, and has change into one of the crucial influential figures on the worldwide trend scene. Her dedication to rising range within the business has made her a standard-bearer for the following technology of up-and-coming expertise within the inventive and trend worlds.

The BMW XM and Naomi Campbell: trailblazers specialising in visible extravagance.

An enduring pioneering spirit and the power to venture poise and confidence are attributes shared by Naomi Campbell and the BMW XM. With its iconic design language, an inside permeated by excessive consolation and the M HYBRID drive system making its debut in a series-produced mannequin, the BMW XM creates an entire new degree of connection between luxurious and excessive efficiency.

The plug-in hybrid system’s electrical motor groups up with both a muscular six-cylinder in-line engine or punchy petrol V8, relying on the mannequin variant. In BMW XM Label Red kind (electrical energy and petrol consumption – weighted, mixed: 33.5 kWh/100 km and a pair of.0 l/100 km [141.2 mpg imp]; CO2 emissions – weighted, mixed: 45 g/km (WLTP); gasoline consumption with discharged battery: 12.9 l/100 km [21.9 mpg imp] as per WLTP; CO2 courses: with discharged battery G; weighted, mixed B), the plug-in hybrid mannequin is essentially the most highly effective series-produced, road-legal automobile but produced by BMW M GmbH.

In the occasion of enquiries please contact:

Colorado Makes Lane Filtering Legal For Motorcyclists, But There’s A Catch

On April 4, 2024, Colorado governor Jared Polis formally signed motorcycle lane filtering and passing into the state’s legislation.

SB 24-079, which was sponsored by state senators Nick Hinrichsen and Jim Smallwood and state representatives Javier Mabrey and Ron Weinberg, now makes it authorized for two-wheeled bikes (not trikes or sidecars, in different phrases) to overhaul or move one other car in the identical lane so long as sure standards are met.

Under the brand new legislation, the next situations need to be met for lane filtering to be permissible:

  • The motorized vehicle to be handed is stopped
  • Motor automobiles in adjoining lanes which might be in the identical path of journey because the bike are additionally stopped
  • The rider (the invoice says “driver”) of the bike is on a street with lanes which might be extensive sufficient to permit protected passing
  • The bike can solely move at a velocity of 15 miles per hour or much less
  • “Conditions permit prudent operation of the motorcycle while overtaking or passing.”
  • If the motor automobiles to be handed begin transferring, the bike shall stop overtaking and/or passing these automobiles.

Some different situations about bike behaviors that aren’t allowed apply, as properly:

  • Riders can’t overtake on the appropriate shoulder
  • Riders additionally can’t overtake to the appropriate of any car within the farthest right-hand lane if a freeway will not be limited-access
  • Riders might also not move in a lane of site visitors that’s transferring in the wrong way

Colorado’s New Lane Filtering Law Is Only Temporary For The Moment

This is a extremely vital factor to notice, as a result of this new legislation is meant to assist the Colorado Department of Transportation collect security knowledge to show whether or not lane filtering is, in truth, a protected and viable everlasting legislation change that must be introduced into impact within the state.

As it is at the moment written, this new legislation will probably be repealed efficient September 1, 2027. From the time you are studying this till that point, it will likely be authorized to filter so long as riders adhere to the factors above. During that point, CDOT will probably be accumulating knowledge to research the way it’s working for drivers and riders, and whether or not any modifications have to be applied. 

Among the specifics that CDOT will probably be analyzing are the next:

  • Motorcycle rear-end collisions, each earlier than and after the date that lane filtering is quickly made authorized within the state
  • The comparative severity of bike rear-end collisions in heavy site visitors earlier than and after the efficient date of this legislation
  • Motorcycle side-swipe collisions whereas overtaking and/or passing at a fee of 15 miles per hour or much less earlier than and after the efficient date of this legislation

It is everybody’s hope that implementation of this legislation will imply fewer rear-end collisions involving motorcyclists, severe or in any other case. As for the side-swipes, riders do not typically need these, both (legislation or no legislation). Here’s hoping the information helps a everlasting adoption of this legislation and that it stays on the books in Colorado for good.

Other states the place lane filtering and/or lane splitting will not be but authorized: Are you paying consideration? 

BMW Group and NTT DATA Romania signal Joint Venture contract: Development and operation of enterprise IT options in focus.

Munich / Cluj-Napoca. The BMW Group and NTT DATA Romania have signed an settlement to determine a Joint Venture (JV) in Romania. The BMW Group is thus persevering with to develop its international community for its company IT and is securing expertise and expertise within the software program sector. The execution of the JV contract is topic to evaluation and approval by the related authorities.

The JV advantages from NTT DATA’s a few years of expertise in agile software program improvement and its wonderful community within the native Romanian IT group. The new location in Romania is meant to help the BMW Group IT in Europe and drive ahead IT-projects and improvements for manufacturing, improvement, human assets, gross sales and BMW Financial Services.

“With NTT DATA, we are relying on another strong partner that has an excellent network in a lively technology region and enables us to build up additional software competencies quickly and in a targeted manner. In collaboration with companies like NTT DATA we can establish strong IT hubs and thereby give an answer to the shortage of IT experts,” says Alexander Buresch, CIO and Senior Vice President of BMW Group IT.

“We are proud to announce our plans to open a brand new software program improvement middle for software program options in Cluj-Napoca along with BMW Group. This collaboration goals to help the carmaker in main the digital transformation,” says Maria Metz, CEO at NTT DATA Romania.

The JV is to be arrange in Cluj-Napoca in Romania. The college city provides a powerful ecosystem for innovation with strong entrepreneurship, startups and a excessive variety of skills within the tech scene. This creates excessive potential for long-term progress of the JV. The JV is anticipated to make use of round 250 software program builders on the finish of 2024 and plans to develop to a four-digit variety of workers by 2027.

The BMW Group and NTT DATA have been collaborating throughout a wide selection of initiatives for over 30 years. The signing of the JV contract marks the following massive step on this partnership.

———————— End of joint press launch ————————–

Global footprint in IT and software program improvement.

The BMW Group is already properly superior in digitizing the whole firm and its inside and exterior processes. For a number of years now, IT & software program hubs in Germany, the USA, South Africa, India, Portugal (Joint Venture Critical TechWorks) and China (LingYue Digital IT Co. Ltd. and BA TechWorks) have been strengthening the premium producer’s software program experience. They contribute considerably to the event and operation of progressive IT options for the BMW Group. A complete of over 9,400 workers worldwide are already working in IT and software program improvement for the BMW Group and the Joint Ventures.

Range Rover Electric ready record already at 16,000

More than 16,000 prospects have signed as much as the ready record for the brand new Range Rover Electric, in response to firm bosses.

The British model’s first full electric car, which is claimed to supply efficiency just like the present V8-powered flagship, is because of launch later this yr. Range Rover opened a ready record for the mannequin in December 2023 – and has reported sturdy curiosity within the mannequin.

While the ready record solely provides a sign of prospects, slightly than a proper reservation, JLR boss Adrian Mardell mentioned the agency was “excited about the strong client interest” within the mannequin. 

The first battery-electric Range Rover can be primarily based on the prevailing combustion engined mannequin and JLR (previously Jaguar Land Rover) product engineering boss Thomas Müller has claimed will probably be “the quietest and most refined Range Rover ever”. 

Preview photographs present that it’s going to additionally retain comparable styling, albeit with a number of bespoke components. It will use an 800V structure, which is able to allow ultra-fast charging.

Range Rover Electric efficiency

Although Range Rover bosses have but to present any efficiency particulars for the brand new mannequin, Müller mentioned it’ll have the identical “go-anywhere” functionality because the ICE model, with a pledge that it’s going to provide towing, wading and all-terrain functionality that may exceed some other luxurious electrical SUV – together with the flexibility to wade by 850mm-deep water.

The trace that the Range Rover Electric will provide efficiency “comparable” to the prevailing V8 suggests a complete output near the 523bhp that mannequin provides.

It is anticipated to undertake a twin-motor set-up, which is able to enable for better all wheel-drive potential and methods reminiscent of torque vectoring to spice up its off-road potential. 

JLR has just lately begun an on-road prototype testing programme for the brand new mannequin, with trials happening in places reminiscent of Sweden and Dubai. 

Ferrari To Launch Three Cars In 2024

The massive information for Ferrari followers this week is that Lewis Hamilton has signed a multi-year take care of the Formula 1 crew, changing Carlos Sainz from 2025. Hamilton will crew up with Charles Leclerc, who lately prolonged his contract “beyond the 2024 season.” This week can also be vital for the street automotive division, with a number of bulletins made through the convention name following the discharge of 2023 gross sales outcomes.

The Prancing Horse moved 13,663 automobiles final 12 months, marking a 3 % improve in comparison with 2022. The demand is so robust that each one present fashions are offered out all through 2025, which means newly positioned orders will not be delivered till 2026 on the earliest. Despite the challenges of managing a big inflow of orders, Ferrari has three new fashions set to be launched this 12 months.

GoPro To Acquire Australian Smart Helmet Maker Forcite

On January 16, 2024, GoPro and Forcite Helmets each introduced that they’d signed agreements for GoPro to accumulate Forcite Helmet Systems. The deal has not been accomplished but, however is predicted to shut someday in Q1 of 2024.

According to their statements, the quick plan is for the groups to proceed working collectively in tandem. Part of GoPro’s assertion reads, “GoPro intends to accelerate Forcite’s vision to provide a safer, more dynamic motorcycling experience through tech-enabled motorcycle helmets with the long-term goal of tech-enabling other categories of helmets over time.”

“The greater helmet market represents a meaningful TAM [total addressable market] expanding opportunity for GoPro, and we’re excited for the Forcite team to join us so that together we can work towards enhancing the performance and safety of various types of helmets, starting with motorcycle helmets,” GoPro founder and CEO Nicholas Woodman stated in a press release.

“GoPro has built a strong brand internationally across all forms of motorsports and has enjoyed a strong following with motorcycle enthusiasts. We’re excited to leverage our brand reputation along with our technical and operational capabilities to address what we believe is a long-term growth opportunity for our business,” he continued.

“In addition to our plan to develop our own GoPro-branded line of helmets, we are excited to partner with other leading helmet brands to help tech-enable their own helmet lines. We have great respect for established brands, and we look forward to working with them to help drive the industry forward, together,” Woodman concluded.

Forcite’s personal assertion reads, “We have some exciting news to share. Forcite has signed an agreement to be acquired by GoPro. As many of you know, GoPro is a major global brand and digital imaging company with millions of people around the world enjoying their market leading products and technology. Notably, GoPro has a long heritage and very strong brand in motorsports, and the Forcite team is beyond thrilled to come together with them to scale our collective businesses and innovate in an outstanding way.”

GoPro says that extra particulars in regards to the acquisition can be offered in its upcoming earnings name with buyers in February. 

Are you excited to see what GoPro and Forcite do collectively? Let us know within the feedback.

2024 RED BULL KTM FACTORY TEAM ANNOUNCED

Red Bull KTM signed 450 class veteran and present #1 plate holder Chase Sexton throughout the off season together with SX Futures stand-out Julien Beaumer to race the 250 alongside Tom Vialle. Aaron Plessinger has now been with the workforce for 3 years and is able to win some races in 2024. Below is the official data from KTM:

With a refreshed four-rider mixture will lead Red Bull KTM Factory Racing into the 2024 TremendousMotocross World Championship (SMX), starting with the AMA Supercross Championship season-opener at Anaheim 1 on January 6, and with agency intentions of competing for title wins when the gates drop on the upcoming 31-round season.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing will area the all-star line-up of Chase Sexton and Aaron Plessinger on the KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION in 2024, alongside Tom Vialle and Julien Beaumer, who will every be READY TO RACE with the KTM 250 SX-F FACTORY EDITION below the steering of Team Manager Ian Harrison.

All 4 riders have been introduced this afternoon and into the night throughout a particular 2024 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team media introduction below lights at RD Field, the group’s official testing and coaching facility based mostly in Murrieta, California, as they enter the necessary last levels of the pre-season collectively.

Bringing the pink primary plate to defend his 450SX championship is Chase Sexton, the 24-year-old who clinched a first-career premier class crown final May. Also ranked fourth within the AMA Pro Motocross Championship after a share of misfortune, in addition to the third-place finisher within the inaugural SMX post-season, Sexton has the credentials and kind to enter season 2024 as a official title contender throughout the board as soon as once more.

Chase Sexton: “I’m excited and feeling refreshed for the start of the 2024 Supercross series. Testing is going well and I’ve enjoyed getting to know everyone more and more on the team, and feel like I’m gelling well with the crew and my new teammates. There’s obviously a level of expectation that comes with heading into 2024 carrying the red plate and I welcome the challenge, especially with the full support of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing behind me.”

Fan favourite Aaron Plessinger is again for his third time period at Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, decided to construct upon his 2023 marketing campaign that noticed him declare seventh general in 450SX regardless of lacking a number of rounds, a convincing third in 450MX, and fifth within the mixed SMX standings. Those outcomes will kind a powerful basis for the 27-year-old to work from within the upcoming season, motivated to determine himself on the entrance of the pack year-round.

Aaron Plessinger: “I’m totally ready to get this show on the road and go racing! Preparation for the 2024 Supercross season is going to plan and I’m just eager to get back to the races to see all my friends and fans again. I’m hoping I can finally bag some of those elusive wins this season, that’s the goal for the team and I, and I think it’s achievable with the encouragement and support I receive from everyone in the Red Bull KTM family.”

Two-time MX2 World Champion Tom Vialle constructed immense expertise this 12 months in what was his first season of competitors within the United States, with the 23-year-old Frenchman now seeking to profit from the teachings realized over the previous 12 months. Vialle was eighth within the 250SX East factors, sixth in 250MX with a single victory to his credit score at Southwick, and P8 in SMX, which units him up for a powerful sophomore season forward.

Tom Vialle: “The idea of getting to race at venues and on tracks that I’ve been to before is exciting and something I am really looking forward to next year. I feel like I learned a lot in my rookie season in the U.S., but it’s definitely tougher racing a brand new track every week when almost everyone in your class has already raced on them before. It’s really going to help my confidence a lot knowing the tracks I’m going to – it makes a big difference. 2024 should be a good year for me and the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team!”

As for 17-year-old newcomer Julien Beaumer, he’ll open his full-time skilled profession because the youngest member of the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team and is in line to make his mark whereas his information climbs on a week-by-week foundation. Already a SX Futures Main Event winner, Beaumer is debuting in 250SX and can carry that rookie tag into Pro Motocross, in addition to the SMX Finals sequence when it commences in September.

Julien Beaumer: “Making my debut in the 250 Supercross class next year is a dream come true and I’m super-grateful to everyone at Red Bull KTM Factory Racing for giving me this opportunity. My goal is to go out there and learn as much as I can this season, all the while giving it my all. The team and I have put in a lot of laps at the practice track to build a good base and gain as much experience as I can before the start of the 2024 season. I just want to do my best and make both the team and myself proud in my rookie season.”

Ian Harrison – Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team Manager: “Our 2024 team is excited to start the new race season. Two of our team members are new, so getting to know one another and developing their bikes specific to their needs and riding style can be a challenge, but so far it has gone very well. The team has spent many days at the test track working on fine-tuning the bikes and I am now looking forward to seeing how we stack up against our competition on January 6th. It is exciting for me as the Team Manager to see our four riders working together so cohesively while motivating and challenging each other to be better. Behind all this effort is always a group of people who are diligent at putting the hours in to get us ready for the start gate at Anaheim 1, and for them, I am very grateful. See you at the races.”

Roger De Coster – Director of Motorsports, North America: “I am very impressed with the dynamic amongst the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team and I’m looking forward to the start of the new season. With fresh blood in the team, it’s great to see the level of positivity amongst the group as a whole, working together and motivating one another. Watching them at the test track each day, there is good forward momentum amongst the group and I think we are in a strong position to challenge up front in all classes each weekend. Austria has been working extremely hard and has shown great support, which is really encouraging and I’m excited for 2024.”

Lia Block Signs With Williams To Race In F1 Academy In 2024

Williams Racing announced Tuesday it has signed Lia Block to represent the team in the 2024 F1 Academy championship. Block plans to participate in a full season with the ART Grand Prix team.

The 17-year-old American driver started racing in karts when she was 11 years old, before going on to compete in stage rally, rallycross, Extreme E, and the Pikes Peak International Hillclimb. Earlier this year she took a championship win in the American Rally Association’s open two-wheel drive class.

The news of Block’s signing to Williams comes nearly a year after her father, superstar Gymkhana driver and Hoonigan founder Ken Block, was killed in a snowmobile accident. Since then, Block has made numerous appearances at car events behind the wheel of her late father’s vehicles.

“I am so excited to be joining the Williams Driver Academy and competing in F1 Academy in 2024,” Block said in a statement. “This is something I never could have dreamed of. I can’t wait to embrace this new experience and learn as much as possible.”

Block will be joined at ART Grand Prix by 18-year old Filipino driver Bianca Bustamante, who’s previously raced in the W Series and in Formula 4.

“Lia has already achieved a tremendous amount in motorsport, has incredible natural talent, and the champion mindset and dedication to make a success of her journey into open-wheel racing,” Williams team principal James Vowles said in a statement.

Block will appear in all seven rounds of the Formula 1 support series, with events in Saudi Arabia, Miami, Barcelona, Zandvoort, Singapore, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi.

“We cannot wait to get started on this journey together,” Vowles added. “As a team, we are committed to Formula 1 and F1 Academy’s joint efforts to improve female representation in motorsport, and we look forward to working with Lia as a key part of the Williams Racing Driver Academy.”

Understanding the Importance of Right-To-Repair

The Right to Repair Act, which was signed in California in October 2023, aims to expand the protection provided by the state’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. This act, established over five decades ago, ensures that products purchased in California are covered by their warranties and allows for necessary repairs to be made. If the same issue persists after a reasonable number of repair attempts, the manufacturer is required to either refund the buyer or provide a replacement.

California’s implementation of the Right to Repair Act goes even further. Manufacturers are now obligated to supply the parts, equipment, and manuals necessary for repairing products for a specified period of time, either three or seven years depending on the value of the product.

The essence of the Right to Repair philosophy is that consumers should have the right to expect their products to function as intended for their entire lifespan. While issues and defects may arise, it should not be an arduous process to have them addressed and resolved. In some cases, legislation such as the UK’s right-to-repair laws allow for consumers to perform simpler repairs themselves, while ensuring that more complex repairs can be carried out by professionals with access to the necessary parts.

VW Group Signs Deal to Import and Sell Bugatti and Rimac Cars in the US

Volkswagen Group of America has recently announced its agreement with Bugatti Rimac to serve as the division’s importer and distributor in the United States. This partnership will involve Sascha Doering, the current COO of Bugatti America, expanding his role to also include Rimac.

While this agreement was actually finalized during Monterey Car Week in September, VW has only just now made the official announcement. The companies are now working on establishing a dealer network for the sale of these high-end vehicles in the US.

“The US is the strongest single market in the world for both Bugatti and Rimac brands, so it’s crucial that we create a sales and ownership experience that matches the extraordinary cars we’re delivering to customers,” said Mate Rimac, CEO of Bugatti Rimac.

Previously, Volkswagen Group of America handled the distribution of Bugatti vehicles in the US. However, this changed with the formation of the Bugatti Rimac joint venture.

The Bugatti Rimac joint venture was established in 2021, with the company’s headquarters located in Croatia. Bugatti production continues to take place in Molsheim, France. Additionally, Porsche currently owns 45% of Bugatti and 24% of Rimac.

Rimac has already delivered at least three Neveras in the United States. The first one was Gunpowder Gray with a pearlescent finish and featured Gunmetal Infinitus wheels. Inside, the car had Alcantara upholstery with green highlights.

Rimac’s Chief Technology Officer, Emilio Scervo, revealed that the company aims to reduce the weight of its future models compared to current ones. “Thinking about a track version [of the Nevera], definitely what we should be working on is making it lighter,” Scervo stated. “And some other tweaks to deliver stiffness, to make the car more connected to the driver.”


Related Articles:


Bugatti is also currently in the development stages of a new model, set to premiere in 2024 with deliveries expected in 2025. According to Bugatti Rimac CEO Mate Rimac, this upcoming model can be described as a “hypercar rearranged as a hybrid,” with the combustion engine component being described as “totally bonkers.” Some wealthy individuals have already had the opportunity to catch a glimpse of the car.

For more details on Bugatti’s future, watch the video below: