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Rethink the Impossible

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e-Mobility, a BMW sustainability initiative for 2012

The BMW Group announced three major sustainability initiatives at the BMW Group Sustainable Future Conference held in Durban, South Africa. The conference was held as a side event to the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

BMW South Africa MD, Bodo Donauer, announced three major initiatives of taking local action for a global goal in terms of climate change. "The BMW Group will reinforce its position as the world's most sustainable automaker by becoming the first manufacturer to bring e-mobility to South African roads," Donauer said. "We will give our customers the opportunity to experience the Mini E at a series of countrywide road shows in the first half of 2012," he continued.

Not only will these road shows provide the BMW Group with important information about local customer's e-mobility requirements, but they will also highlight some of the infrastructural hurdles South Africa needs to overcome to adopt e-mobility as a viable means of reducing CO² emissions.

Dr. Rainer Feurer, BMW vice president of corporate strategy, planning and environment said: "Sustainability throughout the entire value chain, comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to resource conservation go hand in hand with the success of the BMW Group. We are acting in a sustainable and responsible way in all areas - worldwide and also here in South Africa."

Rosslyn plant to use renewable energy

In South Africa, the company has almost halved energy usage and emissions at their plant in Rosslyn, Pretoria, saving more than R50-million in energy costs since 2006. "However, we believe we can do more and have conducted a Renewable Energy Project investigating the technical and economic feasibility of supplying the Rosslyn plant solely by means of renewable energy, or in combination with the existing power supply," announced Donauer. "We will take further steps in this regard by partnering with the City of Tshwane on a waste-to-energy project next year."

The project is similar to a landfill gas programme which is responsible for providing the BMW Spartanburg plant in South Carolina, USA with around half of its energy requirements. Methane gas - converted from unusable organic waste at a landfill site in Onderstepoort - will be piped approximately 8km to Rosslyn. Depending on the quantity supplied, the gas will be used to either produce electricity via gas generators or supplement the usage of natural gas in the production process, a resource which contributes approximately 50% to the company's energy consumption.

BMW reaches out to schools

The conference continued by focusing on all three aspects of sustainability - economic, environmental and social - when it announced a major corporate social responsibility engagement in KwaZulu-Natal. The company's successful BMW Maths, Science and Technology Excellence Project will be implemented in two high- and three primary schools in the Nyavini district south of Durban.

These schools will also be incorporated into the BMW SEED (School Environmental Educational Development) Programme, which teaches learners about a sustainable lifestyle including farming techniques, taking care of their surroundings and entrepreneurial skills. As a positive side-effect, produce from the SEED gardens will ensure learners receive at least one nutritious meal each day.

Finally, in a public-private partnership with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health, BMW will construct an HIV and AIDS clinic in the Nyavini district. The clinic will also provide basic health care to the community, which is situated some 50km from the nearest hospital.

Source: bizcommunity.com

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We would like to thank John for this amazing review on our dealership. We truly appreciate it!

"I just purchased my second BMW (the first from Suntrup West County) on 11/29/2011 from Jason Catlin at Plaza BMW.

I've come to Plaza for all of my maintenance and repairs throughout the life of my car. Originally, I dealt with Lee Day in Service and then most recently Shawn Chambless. Without the service I received from Lee Day since moving back to St. Louis I would have never even come back for a repair, much less a new car. Shawn is just as honest and decent to work with. If you need maintenance or a repair, I highly recommend Shawn as the person to deal with as you won't get hosed.

In regards to the car buying experience at Plaza, I wasn't even looking to buy a car for a few more months but had some issues with mine (almost 150k miles) and figured the time was now.

Jason Catlin was my sales person and instead of talking or over selling, he listened and took the time to figure out what I needed. He's a class act and aside from feeling like I got a decent price on my vehicle, can assure you that everyone who buys from him probably walks away feeling good about their decision.

My car buying experience at Suntrup West County BMW a few years back made me never want to buy a BMW again. After receiving my survey and giving them good scores, I never got the small ding taken out of the roof as promised. They just blew me off. Horrible service from that point and beyond. There was a small scratch they never took care of too.

Plaza BMW is a well run dealership with class folks." - John K.

We would like to thank Jennifer for this kind review on our dealership.

"I am very happy about my car buying experience at Plaza BMW. Jason had just the car I was looking for, and his service was impeccable." - Jennifer

The BMW 6 Series Wins A 12th Annual Auto Style Award!

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eCityofStyle proudly presents the 12th annual Auto Style Awards, in which we pick the five most stylish autos for the current model year. Finalists are selected after several qualities are evaluated and compared, such as exterior and interior style, fun-to-drive factor, exclusivity, and the all-important head-turning quotient. Nothing sums up “auto style” more than the public’s reaction to seeing these cars in person.

Walking up to the 6, our eye was immediately drawn to the convertible’s wide stance and sleek, swoopy lines. Like the Z3, we were pleasantly surprised by its overt shark-like features. In relative sizes, the Z3 is a Tiger shark to the 6 Series Great White. It’s a massive car with an intimidating demeanor.

Despite the aggressive look, the 6 is decidedly elegant and poised on the road. The V8 engine emits a refined symphony of muscularity rather than a confrontational one. If you need perfect silence, merely slow down to 25mph and raise the power top. No need to pull over like some kind of plebian convertible. Heavens no!

Inside, the 6 features rich surfaces and textures, such as Nappa leather-finished seats and dash, befitting pampered sensibilities like ours. The center console is dominated by a large, netbook-sized screen that, shockingly, was still easy to read with the top down and the sun directly overhead.

Source: ecityofstyle.com

A big thank you to the author of this great 5-star review! We appreciate your kind words.

"I was not actually looking to buy a BMW, but after Jason took the time to thoroughly explain all the great features on the X3 I was sold. I was looking to purchase either a Range Rover or Mercedes, but neither dealer took the time to "sell" me the vehicle. Jason is not only a dealer but also a BMW owner and knows everything about the features and performance of the cars he sells. Great experience!" - Iheartrun@gmail.com