Here is the full speech of Dr. Norbert Reithofer at the Annual General Meeting of BMW AG. The BMW boss highlights some of the successes and accomplishments in 2011, and what to expect in the future. Ladies and Gentlemen Mobility is what drives us. And this applies to your company too. We not only enable people to move from A to B but we also touch their hearts. Being mobile is and always will be a basic human need. We cannot do without it – in our Western hemisphere, where our mature markets lie. And people in the growth regions are seizing their opportunities for individual mobility – economically, socially and personally. Mobility drives progress. It gives people a sense of freedom and individuality. It brings growth, employment and prosperity. For 96 years, mobility has been the growth driver of Bayerische Motoren Werke Our products stand for motion: automobiles, motorcycles, financial and mobility services. Premium is our business model. And when it comes to premium we are the clear leaders. 1.67 million customers last year – that was more than ever before and more than our competitors. And by we, I mean over 100,000 BMW associates of over 90 different nationalities. They all possess the same passion for mobility and motion. They make our success possible in the first place. They fully identify with our products and with our company. And our customers feel it. They know it is true whenever they purchase a car or a motorcycle from our product range. We are ahead of the competition and we intend to stay there. This is what drives us. We also want to meet your needs and your expectations as our shareholders. Your investment must be profitable. We think and plan long term – just as you do. You stood by us throughout the financial crisis. And you are now with us as we move into a new era of mobility. Your loyalty to this company is appreciated. Mobility today takes on many forms and also faces many demands. The car is now an indispensable element of our daily lives, and this means mobility now encounters new challenges. Just think about the latest Club of Rome forecasts. We ourselves are responsible for the way our world is developing. How can we make it a world worth living in for more and more people? These are all questions we ask ourselves....

When it comes to having a lot of time on your hands, not many can compare to Fernando (Sheepo) who occupies himself by building some of the most interesting Lego vehicles. Fernando doesn’t just build small-scale Lego cars, this guy takes his builds to the next level by turning them into fully functional remote control Lego cars and trucks. One of his latest projects, a Land Rover Defender 110, is probably the most amazing Lego creation I have ever seen on a small scale. For Fernando, the Land Rover is a supercar, as he explains on his Sheepo’s Garage blog . The Lego truck, among his other projects, is built from original Legos but has a fully functional radio control system with gears, disc brakes and a running engine to boot. I welcome you to check out Fernando’s site where he posts about other Lego vehicles he has constructed such as a Porsche 911 Cab, Mini Cooper, Dodge Viper and Bugatti Veyron. His attention to detail in the realm of what you can do with Legos is simply astonishing. He has even entered the vehicles into competitions and of course walked away with a victory. Hit up the videos below to see some of his latest projects in action for yourself. Here is the original: When Legos, a Passion for Cars and an Unlimited Amount of Time Converge: Videos See the original post here:  When Legos, a Passion for Cars and an Unlimited Amount of Time Converge: Videos

The 2013 BMW 135is coupe. Image: BMW AG BMW’s 1 Series M is heading out of production, and (as far as we know) all inventory has already been spoken for. If you missed your chance to buy one, BMW will soon offer you the next best thing: the 2013 135is. Available in both coupe and convertible flavors, the 135is comes with a TwinPower Turbo 3.0-liter inline-six, good for 320 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. A performance exhaust system ensures that the car sounds good, too, and a larger capacity radiator should be able to handle the stress of summer track days. Buyers can choose from a six-speed manual transmission or BMW’s seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, ensuring that the 135is has broader appeal than the 1 Series M. The 2013 BMW 135is convertible. Image: BMW AG Underneath, the 135is gets a sport suspension, although we’re pretty sure it won’t allow the same cornering speeds as the M-designed suspension on the 1 Series M. The 135is comes with the now-required electronic stability control, but traction and stability control can be dialed back for a bit more fun on dry roads. For track days, both systems can be defeated entirely, which is good news for driving enthusiasts. The 2013 BMW 135is interior. Image: BMW AG The cars will hit dealer showrooms this fall, with prices starting at $44,145 for the coupe and $48,845 for the convertible. We doubt these will be limited production, either, meaning that there should be plenty of inventory for all interested customers. We don’t want to sound ungrateful, but quite frankly we’d rather see the M135i hatchback that Europe is getting. Forget the idea that Americans don’t want hatchbacks, especially when they look as good as the M135i three-door hatchback concept that BMW exhibited in Geneva.           Excerpt from: BMW Announces 2013 135is Coupe And Convertible See more here: BMW Announces 2013 135is Coupe And Convertible

Porsche's latest Boxster. Image: Porsche AG When it comes to reports about future models from Porsche, here’s a bit of free advice: believe about half of what you hear. Earlier this year, sources reported that Porsche had stopped work on an entry-level sports car that was to slot in below the Boxster. Why? Because the sales gains wouldn’t offset the dilution of the brand, and because Porsche (at that moment, anyway) had its eyes on higher-end, higher-performance models with larger profit margins. Fast forward to March, when Porsche insisted that the sub-Boxster, code named the 551, was very much alive but possibly delayed for a “new generation” of buyers. Now comes word from Automotive News (subscription required) that plans for an entry-level roadster have been scrapped in fear of alienating traditional Porsche customers. In other words, not everyone is supposed to be able to afford a Porsche. Rumors of a new sedan in the Porsche lineup have been downplayed, too. Last week, some outlets reported that Porsche had begun work on a smaller version of the Panamera, in order to combat sales of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. This actually makes some financial sense, since the Panamera sedan has been a sales success for the brand. Now comes word that Porsche has “no immediate plans” to develop such a model, although it could be added to the product line in five or six years. In other words, Porsche is neither confirming nor denying any reports of future models at this time, but don’t expect that to stop the rumor mill.   Read the original post: Porsche Cancels Plans For A Sub-Boxster Roadster: Report Read more here: Porsche Cancels Plans For A Sub-Boxster Roadster: Report

I feel a little perverted driving into Carson City—but it’s not because I’m in Nevada, about to slink out to some brothel. No, I’m in a silent and snow-crusted part of western Sweden, a place where apparently you can mow down pedestrians and get away with it. (more..) The rest is here: How Active Safety Tech Is Developed, Wherein We Mow Down Dudes with Our Car. Here is the original post:  How Active Safety Tech Is Developed, Wherein We Mow Down Dudes with Our Car.

Bentley's Continental GT V8. Image: Bentley Motors The Volkswagen Group currently encompasses an impressive number of automobile brands, including (off the top of our head) Audi, VW, Seat, Skoda, Bentley, Bugatti and to some degree, Porsche. Given that broad a family lineup, you’d expect see the occasional management shakeup between brands. That’s allegedly the case with Bentley and Bugatti head Wolfgang Dürheimer, who Autoblog (via Automotive News Europe , subscription required) reports will soon be moving to Audi. Dürheimer will be replacing Audi’s development chief, Michael Dick, who is expected to retire later this year. Joining Dürheimer in the shuffle is Volkswagen’s marketing head, Luca de Meo, who will replace Peter Schwarzenbauer as head of Audi’s sales. Also out at Audi are head of procurement Ulf Berkenhagen and production head Frank Dreves. Berkenhagen will move to Volkswagen’s commercial vehicle division as head of purchasing, while Dreves will join Dick in retiring later this year. The moves seem designed to reduce tha average age of members on Audi’s board of management, which Audi views as necessary to achieve its ambitious sales targets in the coming years.   Continued here: Bentley Boss Dürheimer Reassigned To Audi: Report See the original post here:  Bentley Boss Dürheimer Reassigned To Audi: Report

We first saw a Chevrolet bearing the Trax name as a concept at the 2007 New York auto show, riding on the bones of the Chevy Spark. Now Chevy has announced that something called the Trax will go into production for global markets. But the only thing this Trax has in common with the Trax of five years ago is its name. Read full story » Excerpt from: Chevrolet Trax to Join Global Lineup, Will Debut in Paris Original post: Chevrolet Trax to Join Global Lineup, Will Debut in Paris

The announcement last month that Lada will finally stop building the 2107 (also called the Riva) was sad news. At least sad to those of us perverse enough to love the idea that the 1966 Fiat 124 was still in production somewhere. That Lada was part of an ever-shrinking club of true automotive survivors. Let’s see who’s left. More » Go here to read the rest: The Oldest Cars Still In Production [Car History] Read the original here:  The Oldest Cars Still In Production [Car History]

In the latest Mexican drug cartel massacre, 49 people were found decapitated — and in some cases with limbs torn off — on a stretch of Mexican highway not far from McAllen, Texas. More » Read the original here: Drug Cartels Left 49 Headless Bodies On A Mexican Highway [Car Crime] See original here: Drug Cartels Left 49 Headless Bodies On A Mexican Highway [Car Crime]

While at Morgan Motor’s headquarters in the U.K., in addition to having a more serious meeting with Charles Morgan , we visited the factory facilities. Morgan’s company archivist, Martyn Webb, gave us an in-depth tour. Read full story » Read more: Let the Wood (and Aluminum) Times Roll: A Tour of Morgan Motor Company’s Factory See the original post here:  Let the Wood (and Aluminum) Times Roll: A Tour of Morgan Motor Company’s Factory

On May 10, 2012 heaven received an Angel and the World lost an automotive legend, Carroll Hall Shelby. Carroll Shelby was much more than just an automotive pioneer, he was an overcomer. During his childhood years, doctors took note of a heart valve leakage issue that would place Shelby in a bed for many years. Doctors even speculated that he would not get to see his teenage years. As time passed, a higher calling was upon Shelby as his health started to improve and by the age of 14 he was given a clean bill of health. Starting off his working career as a chicken farmer, Shelby quickly made a change by joining the US Army Air Corps serving as a test pilot and instructor. As endearing as he was, Shelby became a racing driver for Allard, Aston Martin and even Maserati in the early 1950’s. Winning his first race in 1952 set-forth a motion in the Automotive world that could not be reckoned with. His love for cars stirred up a passion that would bring about a forward moving momentum that will live on in the automotive world forever. Shelby may have been a race car driver for a very long time if it were not for health issues putting a stop to his new-found career during the end of the 1960’s. Shelby did not let that stop him one bit in carrying on with his love for the automobile. Out of Shelby’s high-performance driving school, started the very year after he stopped racing, came a project that would change our definition of a performance street vehicle. The license to the import the AC Ace from England was later obtained by Shelby. Having a great handling car would not mean much if it didn’t have the power that Shelby wanted.  From this, the AC Cobra was born using a Ford V8 engine, the replacement for the AC Ace’s straight 6-cylinder. The original Cobra had a 289 cubic-inch engine and then later received a 428 cubic-inch engine to be one of the fastest production cars. Today his legacy lives on strong in old and new vehicles obtained by all types of Automotive enthusiasts around the world. Many Shelby Cobra vehicles have been valued in tens of millions of dollars. Carroll Shelby’s performance vehicle formula will live on as will his legacy. We pay tribute to Carroll Shelby who crossed that river on May 10, 2012 at the age of 89. God Speed! LEGENDARY ENTREPRENEUR...

  For anyone who pays even the slightest attention to the sports car culture, the name Carroll Shelby could be one of the first personas that would instantly spark recollection. The master craftsman behind the Cobra sports car and the architect of the early Ford Mustang competition-caliber performance, the accomplished former race car driver’s is mourned today as the 89 year-old passed away. Born and raised in the state of Texas through the depression, Carroll Shelby held a life-long passion for automobiles. After serving in World War Two as a flight instructor and test pilot, Shelby’s name was first found inside of sports car racing programs in the early 1950s. Piloting some of the most popular post-war sports cars available, Shelby wheeled competition machines from automakers such as Austin Healey, Cadillac-engined Allard, Aston Martin and Maserati. With Aston Martin, Carroll Shelby’s racing career highlight came in 1959 when he partnered with British driver Roy Salvadori to won the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Shelby also ran a handful of Formula 1 races that included a highest finish of 4th place at the Italian Grand Prix in 1958. Health problem would force him out of the cockpit from professional motorsports in 1960. One of Shelby’s two major life-changing events, the former racer’s passion for sports car racing turned towards a small British automaker.     Connecting AC Cars in 1961, Carroll Shelby first proposed finding a powerful V-8 engine to propel their Ace roadster. While Chevrolet was initially contacted about the idea of contributing to the project but they refused in fear of competing directly with the Corvette. Receiving aid from Ford Motor Company in the form of a 260 cubic-inch V-8 engine, the AC Cobra was born. The Shelby Cobras instantly became a terror against the likes of other sports cars of the era. Winning its first FIA-sanctioned sports car race at Riverside, California, the Cobra beat other established race cars including the Chevrolet Corvette. Carroll Shelby would continue to tinker with the AC-based sports car dropping bigger and more powerful Ford V-8 engines under the vehicle’s bonnet. The 289 cubic-inch V-8 powerplant was quickly merged with the AC Cobra followed later by the Ford 427 V-8 engine. Representing...

The automotive world’s most famous failed chicken farmer, Carroll Shelby, died Thursday, May 10 at Baylor Hospital in Dallas, 110 miles due west from tiny Leesburg, Texas, where he was born on January 11, 1923. Shelby, 89, had been ill for eight months, and the cause of death was listed as pneumonia. ( more… ) Read the original here: So long, Shelby: Carroll Shelby 1923–2012 Excerpt from: So long, Shelby: Carroll Shelby 1923–2012

This much is established as fact: Kyle Best, 19 years old at the time of the accident, struck an unnamed couple on a motorcycle behind the wheel of his pickup truck. The impact was severe enough that both rider and passenger lost their left legs, but were lucky enough to survive that accident. The root cause? Distracted driving, as Best was exchanging text messages with Shannon Colonna at the time of the accident. Best has already pled guilty to multiple violations of New Jersey law, including careless driving, failure to maintain lane position and use of a mobile phone while driving. Now, in what Autoblog claims may be a legal first, the injured couple’s attorney has named both Best and Colonna in a civil lawsuit. The attorney alleges that Colonna knew Best was behind the wheel, and her actions were no different than if she’d been in the car at the time of the crash. Colonna’s attorney insists his client can’t be held liable for another’s bad decision (to read the texts while driving), and furthermore Colonna did not realize the dangers of texting while driving. We’ll buy into the first part of that statement, but not the second half: does anyone in this country not fully understand the dangers of texting while driving? A judge will decide whether Colonna can be added to the suit on May 25. If the judge decides in favor of the plaintiffs (the injured couple), the case sets an interesting legal benchmark. Since loosely-enforced laws don’t seem to work, maybe the best way to stop texting while driving is to hold both parties accountable when an accident occurs. Image credit: flickr user jkbeitz , licensed under CC 2.0   Read more from the original source: Can You Be Held Liable For A Crash, Even If You Weren’t In The Car? Originally posted here:  Can You Be Held Liable For A Crash, Even If You Weren’t In The Car?

A new player to the bespoke tuning game, Scotland-based Imperium Automotive recently unveiled their latest tuning options for the Bentley Continental GTC, and showcases it with the limited edition GTC Audentia package. The most obvious alterations to the factory Bentley are the impressively subtle-yet-aggressive aerodynamics, including front bumper with grille, air vents, sport side skirts, rear apron, boot lip spoiler, rear diffuser, and sport exhaust tips. The new bodywork is hand-built from carbon fiber and help to aesthetically lower the car, giving it a stronger stance without being overly-pronounced. One thing that Imperium seems to have succeeded at that many high-end car tuners strive for is such a seamless look. Most people – even some enthusiasts – would see this car and assume that it’s a Bentley straight off the showroom floor, maybe in a new trim level they haven’t seen yet. Of course they didn’t stop at a body kit. While no specifications are posted on their website, Imperium promises a wide level of customization to the Continental Audentia’s ECU, brake, suspension, and exhaust systems, including custom sound tuning. Inside, you get your choice of custom leathers and ultra suede, and trim made from carbon fiber or wood, as well as a custom steering wheel made from carbon fiber, refined wood, or piano black finished in ultra suede or leather hand grips. Also available for the interior: illuminated door sills, aluminum foot pedals, custom floor mats, and interior LED lighting. No related posts. Automoblog.net – A Car Blog for Auto Enthusiasts Read more from the original source: Imperium Unveils Limited Edition Bentley Continental GTC Audentia