BMW aims to wow Cleveland Auto Show guests, create lifelong customers
CLEVELAND (WJW) — Leaving an impression — that's the goal of every automaker with a display at the Cleveland Auto Show. Few hit their mark with the same accuracy as BMW.
The German-engineered luxury and performance line is represented extremely well at the I-X Center, with six vehicles in its showcase, including the electric i7 xDrive60.
Students escape school bus fire in Cleveland Heights
'I'm pretty blown away at all the technology updates that I've seen and everything that it does,' said auto show guest and Avon resident Jeremy Betsa. 'It's not even like you're in a car, you know? It feels sort of surreal.'
Nathan Lancry, owner and president of BMW of Akron said the auto show is always a great place for enthusiasts and car shoppers to get a feel for each brand, but BMW is unique because it is listening to its customers in order to improve the product.
'BMW is really taking a lot of knowledge from our customers, such as places like here at the auto show,' Lancry said. 'They've taken the opinions and the ideas from consumers, and they really engineer those ideas into real life, right here in the ultimate driving machine.'
Lancry said the BMW i7 is a must-see because it's loaded with unique features, from doors that open with the touch of a button, to a curved display and massage seats. Rear seat passengers also have a widescreen theater monitor equipped with FireTV, creating a one-of-a-kind experience. Auto show guests are in love with the design.
'I don't want to drive this car, I want to be driven in this car,' Betsa said.
Local scratch-off ticket hits top prize
Auto show guests can also go for a ride in one of three brand new BMWs at the CLE-V Test Track, a free experience giving guests a few laps around an indoor track at the I-X Center.
'Happy to hear about how many people are impressed by the test track because it gives them an opportunity to really try that car out without having to rush into a showroom,' Lancry said.
Lancry said BMW of Akron is ready to assist new customers, while also looking to preserve and maintain existing customer relationships for generations to come.
'Generations and families that have done business at that BMW dealership,' Lancry said. 'And it's rewarding to see the loyalty that's been enmeshed into that brand.'
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Evri's DHL deal to create one of the UK's largest delivery firms
Evri is set to merge its e-commerce operations with rival DHL in a move that will reshape the UK's parcel delivery landscape and create one of the UK's largest delivery firms. The deal will see the creation of one of the country's largest delivery entities, handling a combined total of more than one billion parcels and one billion letters annually. As part of the agreement, German-owned DHL Group will acquire a "significant minority stake" in Evri, with US private equity firm Apollo, which acquired Evri last year for £2.7 billion, remaining the majority shareholder. The merged operations will function under the Evri Group banner, uniting a workforce of more than 30,000 couriers and van drivers, alongside an additional 12,000 employees. This merger marks a significant development in the UK's competitive delivery market, bringing together two major players to create a formidable force in parcel and letter delivery. They said the merger will offer 'greater choice and cost-competitive solutions' to businesses and consumers, and expand import and export capabilities. The deal will also see Evri entering the UK business letter market for the first time, bolstering its competition to Royal Mail. Martijn de Lange, chief executive of Evri, said: 'We are excited that DHL ecommerce UK will merge with Evri to bring together two highly complementary UK businesses, committed to innovation and offering customers and clients the best possible service. 'By combining Evri's scale, innovation and DHL ecommerce's best-in-class premium van network, we are creating the pre-eminent parcel delivery group in the UK.' Pablo Ciano, chief executive of DHL ecommerce, said: 'DHL ecommerce and Evri both stand for top service quality, reliability and sustainability, which makes this partnership a great fit for our customers. 'Together, we'll be able to offer more efficient, far-reaching and innovative solutions to keep up with the fast-paced e-commerce market.' Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
The Manual BMW Z4 Won't Die Because Too Many People Have Good Taste
Despite the fact it was initially rumored to be discontinued in October of this year, the G29 BMW Z4 is going to live on for a while longer. This is wonderful news for people who appreciate good styling, lots of horsepower, a manual transmission and — most importantly — a convertible roof. A new report from BMW Blog suggests that BMW will end most Z4 production in March of 2026, however, the U.S.-spec M40i (and its six-speed manual transmission) will live on for a bit longer. One of the outlet's trusted sources on the Bimmer Post forum said the Z4 in its M Performance trim will soldier on in the U.S. for an additional two months — until May of 2026. That same source also claimed that this is when the final U.S.-spec Supra will be built. Extending the Z4's life isn't a total surprise. As more enthusiasts look for analog options, deliveries in the first quarter of 2025 rose by 4.2% to 2,436 units when compared with the same time last year, according to BMW Blog. Sales of the Z4 jumped by 13.1% in 2024 after BMW made the manual available in the U.S., Motor1 reports People year for rear-wheel drive and a manual transmission. I get it. The Z4 M40i is one of the few BMWs you can still buy with a stick shift, joined only by the M2 and base versions of the M3 and M4. Read more: No Spare? No Problem. Here's What Every Car Should Carry In Case Of A Flat Despite this good news, it's not looking like the Z4 will be around forever. Right now, there's no plan for a successor to the little two-seater. It's not exactly a surprise. Sure, it's selling OK, but convertible sales continue to fall and the enthusiast market is shrinking. Toyota has said there will be a next-generation Supra, but BMW doesn't intend to join up with the Japanese automaker for its own version of the car. So, if you're the type of smart person who wants a manual Z4, you better act now. Just make sure you've got some deep-ish pockets. A turbocharged 2.0-liter Z4 sDrive30i — which only comes with an automatic — starts at $56,175. If you want the manual, you've got to jump up to the M40 with its 382-horsepower turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-6. That's going to set you back $71,825. If you have the means, I do suggest picking one up. However, if you don't, I'd be willing to part with my manual 2007 Z4 3.0SI for just a fraction of that price. Want more like this? Join the Jalopnik newsletter to get the latest auto news sent straight to your inbox... Read the original article on Jalopnik.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
DHL Express locks out workers across Canada, adding to parcel sector turmoil
MONTREAL — Unifor says DHL Express Canada locked out workers just after midnight today as the two sides failed to reach a contract deal, injecting more labour turmoil into the country's parcel delivery market. The union, which represents 2,100 truck drivers, couriers and warehouse workers across seven provinces, says they went on strike in response at 11 a.m. ET. Advertisement Unifor says the German-owned carrier is proposing to change the driver pay system and planning to use replacement workers before legislation banning them comes into effect on June 20. The work stoppage, which affects package delivery across the country, comes as Canada Post remains at loggerheads with 55,000 workers, whose union last month imposed an overtime ban that scales back parcel services. Unifor says a work stoppage could disrupt next weekend's Formula One Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal, where DHL is responsible for transporting the turbocharged race cars. Unifor says its bargaining priorities remain wages, working conditions and surveillance and automation in the workplace. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 8, 2025. Christopher Reynolds, The Canadian Press
