Saturday Car Thread 7-19-2014 - [Niedermeyer's Dead Horse]

I've been slacking due to business travel, so pardon the lack of posts these past couple of weeks. You can thank Twitter and, in particular, Automotive News, for today's content.

Here's one shiny bauble of news from the automotive industry:

Which automaker do you think ships the most cars out of North America, one of the Detroit Three or perhaps one of the Japanese automakers? Nope. It turns out the BMW's Spartanburg, SC, factory is the biggest automotive exporter from the continent in the United States. According to a recent profile by Bloomberg looking at the plant's 20th anniversary, Bimmer’s southern ops sends out more vehicles than all of Michigan combined.

And, speaking of BMW, I'm sure they're just burning mad over this announcement: Tesla officially announces Model 3, has BMW 3 Series in sight. Uh huh.

Hey, look! More news about South Carolina:

South Carolina is cementing its reputation as North America's tire capital.

Five tire plants have opened or are in the works in that state, as suppliers race to alleviate a tire shortage in North America’s booming automotive market.

South Carolina became the nation’s leading tire producer in the fourth quarter last year with estimated daily output of 89,000 tires, edging Oklahoma's 88,000 units, according to Tire Business, a sibling publication of Automotive News.

Ohio, home of historic tire center Akron, is No. 12 on the list at 23,900 tires per day.

...

Another key factor, which Etzel declined to discuss, was the state's financial generosity. According to news reports, Gov. Nikki Haley earmarked a $31 million grant to Continental for its plant. Intangibles played a role, too. Etzel says state officials have had considerable experience working with German manufacturers. A major BMW assembly complex, with suppliers, is in Spartanburg, S.C.

"We could tell they understood how German companies typically work - the decision-making process," Etzel said. "We had numerous occasions when it turned out to be very helpful."

Nice going Governor Haley.

Good intentions: Toyota engineer warns autonomous cars could increase fuel use, urban sprawl.

A very interesting classic from Classic Pics:

Your government at work: Forty Land Rovers Seized By Homeland Security In Ongoing Investigation

Look at it! Just sitting there, plotting to destroy our way of life. Thank goodness we have been spared the threat brought on by ruggedly-handsome good looks.

Moron Roger Smith shares this beauty:

Check out those elbows!

Please feel free to send any complaints or commendations to me at Twitter: Nied's Dead Horse.

posted by Open Blogger at 04:39 PM

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