Latest news with #X3
TimesLIVE
5 days ago
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
Why the SA-built BMW X3 will stoke your sense of patriotism
Part of the M Sport kit is a thick-rimmed, three-spoke steering wheel, with a familiar template that echoes a style dating back to the most beloved BMW icons of decades past. It feels right and ergonomically correct in the palms. At the COTY testing days some (including myself) were surprised at how quiet the cabin is despite the diesel powertrain. Some thought they were in the petrol version. Vibrations and exterior intrusions are incredibly well suppressed. The 2.0l turbocharged-diesel, four-cylinder unit outputs 145kW/400Nm, with a gutsy feel under hard acceleration, typical of torque-rich oil-burner motors from Bimmer. The best part is that even if you drive with a leaden foot, average consumption lingers around the late 6l/100km mark. Allow me to wrap-up this ode to the X3 with two gripes that were identified. Minor issues but they exist nonetheless. First, there seemed to be no way to fully deactivate the automatic stop-start system. I certainly could not find the right button. Second, the doors unlock automatically each time you engage the parking brake. The obvious downside to this was revealed in bumper-to-bumper traffic. The X3 is an awesome example of what the local automotive manufacturing sector is capable of. We need such reminders, particularly in uncertain times where global politics, government-related challenges and tough local economic conditions loom threateningly over the fate of the industry.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
BMW's CEO Is Hopeful for a Favorable US-EU Auto Trade Agreement
BMW's CEO Is Hopeful for a Favorable US-EU Auto Trade Agreement originally appeared on Autoblog. BMW's CEO wants a deal According to a new report by Reuters, BMW CEO Oliver Zipse said on Friday that he was optimistic that the United States and the European Union could come to what he described as a "manageable" agreement regarding tariffs on automobile imports between the two economic powerhouses. His comments come as the European Union awaits a letter from the Trump administration that could clarify the workings of a trade deal and lay out the tariff levels that European automotive exports aimed for import to the U.S. could reach. This week, President Trump has been issuing letters regarding tariff rates addressed to world leaders, including those of trade partners like Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines. The administration has been mixed on this topic. On July 10, Trump said the EU could receive such a letter by Friday, July 11; however, in an NBC News interview aired that evening, the President said he plans to impose blanket tariffs on most trade partners. 'We're just going to say all of the remaining countries are going to pay, whether it's 20% or 15%. We'll work that out now,' Trump told NBC's 'Meet the Press' moderator Kristen Welker over the phone. 'I'd like to do it today,' Trump said, adding, 'I'm talking about the European Union, which is, as you know, many countries, including Canada. We'll be putting them out over the next couple of hours.' Despite this, Zipse remains hopeful "I'm optimistic that there will be a manageable outcome, but we have to wait for the result," Zipse said at a company event in Munich on July 11. The BMW CEO mentioned that a possible "netting mechanism" could be part of the deal, where exports from European firms from its factories located in the U.S. could be used to offset the tariffs on imported vehicles. BMW can benefit fivefold from this deal since its largest production site is in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The idea is that the arrangement could be based on the value of its exports coming out of the U.S. market rather than the number of cars it exports. In 2024, U.S. Department of Commerce data showed that BMW was the leading automotive exporter by value in the United States, as it exported nearly 225,000 X3, X4, X5, X6, X7, and XM vehicles from its Spartanburg plant, worth $10.1 billion. The automaker also claims that since 2014, it has exported more than 2.7 million vehicles, or 63% of its total production, with an export value of more than $104 billion. "We have an important point because we are the largest car exporter in the US," Zipse said. In 2024, BMW exported 225,000 cars from the United States, many of which were the ever-popular X-series "sports activity vehicle" models, such as the X3 and X5. BMW is still managing to sell cars The news comes as BMW has released some fairly modest sales numbers. Recently, BMW of North America reported that during the first half of 2025, total year-over-year BMW brand sales rose 1.6%, as it sold 178,499 units compared to 175,712 vehicles during the same period in 2024. However, second quarter sales numbers were fairly flat, as the 90,884 vehicles it sold represented a slight 0.4% YoY dip from the 91,237 units it moved the same quarter in 2024. In light of this, BMW of North America President and CEO Sebastian Mackensen made note of BMW's resilience while market headwinds like tariffs fall into the picture. 'Our sales performance over the first half of the year is a clear indication that we have the right strategy, products, and dealer network to succeed,' Mackensen said. 'We're confident in our business and look forward to building on this progress in the second half of the year, despite some challenges in the marketplace.' Final thoughts BMW isn't the only car company that wants to receive relief from import tariffs based on its exports. A big part of Ford's business involves sending some of its cars made in the U.S. to other countries. In May, Farley noted that it is 'essential' for the federal government to enact policies encouraging manufacturers to build cars for export, adding that the country exports nearly as many vehicles as it imports. 'So many of the vehicles we build here are exported around the globe,' Farley said back in May. 'Shouldn't we get credit for that?' BMW's CEO Is Hopeful for a Favorable US-EU Auto Trade Agreement first appeared on Autoblog on Jul 11, 2025 This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Jul 11, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
4 German Car Brands Named the Least Reliable of 2025
Auto experts had a lot to say when it came to which German car models to avoid. Electrical issues, oil leaks and brake malfunctions are just a few of the problems that came up when budget-conscious experts discussed German cars. Next time you're looking for a new vehicle, here are the German car brands to avoid, according to top auto experts. Check Out: Read Next: BMW The sleek and luxe BMW brand has been a status symbol for years, but some car experts say, no matter how good these cars look, you're better off without them. 'The most common issues on BMWs are oil leaks, cooling system failures and failures on the turbocharger,' said Alex Black, chief marketing officer and auto expert at EpicVIN. Black said the electronics are another frequent issue with BMW, particularly drive failures and digital gauge faults. Black said that BMW's with N20 and N55 engines (which are commonly seen on the 3 Series and X3) usually start to break down within the 70,000 to 100,000 mile range. 'They are sport vehicles, but to stay reliable, they need to have strict maintenance. Skimping on a couple of services can mean very expensive repairs later on,' Black added. For You: Audi Like BMWs, Audi's are frequently driven by the upper crust, but Black said to not let that persuade you. 'Audi cars have issues with electrical and sensor faults as they age, especially cars from 2010 to 2018. A lot of the faults occur once the warranty runs out, which comes as a shock to most owners,' Black explained. Black said that he sees a lot of claims for Audi's with faulty infotainment, frozen power windows and sensor faults. Because it's a luxury car that's made overseas, these repairs can be very pricey. Customers are often paying a lot of out of pocket costs to keep Audi's running as they get older. Mercedes-Benz Melanie Musson is an auto industry expert with and called out Mercedes-Benz vehicles for consistently breaking down after five to seven years. 'New Mercedes-Benz cars are generally reliable, but after exceeding 50,000 miles, they tend to experience issues with their electrical systems failing,' Musson said. 'Since many of the mechanical parts run based on electrical information, the problems can very from the infotainment system glitching to the car not starting.' Volkswagen Musson said VW's are practically known for their failing electrical systems, but that's not where the issues end. 'The transmissions also have a reputation for being prone to problems. They are hard to repair. Dealership shops may be the most able to fix problems, but they're also the most expensive,' she added. More From GOBankingRates 3 Luxury SUVs That Will Have Massive Price Drops in Summer 2025 7 Things You'll Be Happy You Downsized in Retirement How Far $750K Plus Social Security Goes in Retirement in Every US Region This article originally appeared on 4 German Car Brands Named the Least Reliable of 2025
Daily Mirror
16-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
BMW driver kills mum and daughter in Boxing Day crash while racing another car
Mohammed Ibrahim was travelling at over 80mph in a 30mph zone when he lost control of his BMW 420 and smashed head-on with an MG, killing Amanda Riley, 49, and her mum Linda Philips, 72 A driver who killed a mum and her daughter in a head-on Boxing Day crash while racing another car at over 80mph has been jailed. Tragic Amanda Riley, 49, and Linda Philips, 72, both died in the horror smash in the Shard End area of Birmingham. Mohammed Ibrahim, 25, was overtaking at up to 84mph in a 30mph zone when he lost control of his BMW 420. The vehicle, which was travelling in 'convoy' with a BMW X3, crashed into a quad bike which had jumped a red light. It then hit an MG car containing four generations of the same family, killing Amanda and Linda in December 2023. Three passengers only survived after being pulled from the blazing vehicle by a hero passer-by. The MG occupants had been returning home from festive family celebrations when the tragedy happened. Ibrahim was overheard saying 'I need to go' before he fled the carnage. He went to hospital for treatment on a leg injury and then returned to the scene, where he was arrested. Birmingham crown court heard the driver of the X3 and the quad rider have never been traced. Ibrahim admitted two counts of causing death and three counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. In a victim impact statement, Linda's husband and Amanda's dad George Philips said his ' world fell apart' when they died. He added: :'The aftermath (of the crash) was the complete devastation of my family. I felt an immense emptiness.' Jasper Mann, representing Ibrahim, said he has 'no meaningful memory of that day'. Ibrahim, of Sheldon, Birmingham, was jailed for 13 years and three months. He was also banned from the roads for 18 years and nine months. Judge Paul Farrer KC told him: 'The harm that you caused is incalculable.'
Techday NZ
15-07-2025
- Business
- Techday NZ
Sage appoints Damon Scarr to lead APAC expansion & drive growth
Sage has appointed Damon Scarr as its new General Manager for Asia Pacific (APAC) as the company seeks to increase its presence and support growth across the region. Scarr, who will be based in Sydney, joins Sage from Adobe where he played a key role in driving growth throughout the APAC region. He succeeds Tom Gough, who is returning to the United Kingdom. With a professional background encompassing senior commercial leadership roles in technology, digital media, and software, Scarr brings significant regional expertise to the role. He will be responsible for leading Sage's go-to-market teams across APAC, working closely with business units such as marketing, customer service, finance, and people operations to support business expansion. Pieter Bensch, Executive Vice President for Sage UKIA, commented on the appointment and Scarr's credentials. "I am delighted to welcome Damon to the Sage leadership team. His impressive track record and extensive knowledge of the APAC region will be invaluable as we continue to expand and evolve our presence in these dynamic markets. Damon's passion for innovation and his values-led leadership style make him an ideal fit to lead Sage's next chapter in APAC." Scarr's appointment comes at a time when small and mid-sized businesses (SMEs) are managing economic pressures such as inflation and supply chain disruptions, alongside changing tax and compliance requirements. Sage states that its integrated, cloud-based solutions are designed to provide SMEs with real-time visibility into finances, which the company says supports better cash flow forecasting and informed decision-making during economic uncertainty. Leadership focus As the new APAC General Manager, Scarr will focus on increasing market share, expanding the partner ecosystem, and advancing technology adoption for regional customers. A key element of his remit is to grow Sage Intacct and X3 platforms in markets seeking financial solutions enabled by artificial intelligence. Speaking about his priorities, Damon Scarr said: "I'm thrilled to join Sage at such a pivotal time for the APAC region. As we accelerate our growth, we're focused on delivering measurable outcomes for customers, expanding our partner ecosystem, and scaling Sage Intacct and X3 into markets seeking modern, AI-powered financial solutions. With strong local foundations, a talented team, and globally recognised innovation, Sage is uniquely positioned to become the go-to finance platform for mid-market and scaling organisations across the region. I look forward to working with Team APAC and our partner ecosystem to achieve these ambitions - ultimately knocking down barriers so everyone can thrive." The company views Scarr's combined experience in regional leadership and technology commercialisation as instrumental in achieving its stated goal of expanding market share across Asia Pacific. Sage's solutions are positioned as tools for SMEs to manage increasing regional and global compliance expectations. Under Scarr's leadership, the business aims to bolster relationships with customers and partners, while also seeking to drive innovation to align with shifting business needs in the market. Follow us on: Share on:
