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BMW recently showcased some of its current and future technologies at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, one of the world’s largest gatherings for mobile industry leaders.

One of the most exciting demos is an autonomous i3 electric vehicle that can be summoned by phone. In the highly controlled demo, the passenger takes a seat in the back where they can access a rear seat entertainment system. The system has functionality including headlight flashers, locking/unlocking, and the horn. Once you’ve arrived to your destination, the car also finds a parking spot for itself.

This product won’t be…

A new vocational program will give a pilot class of nine U.S. Marines a hands-on training workshop to become BMW technicians at San Diego’s Camp Pendleton Marine base.

Photo Source: AutoBlog

MSTEP, the Military Service Technician Education, is a 16-week long combined effort between BMW and the for-profit Universal Technical Institute. The program aims to help facilitate the transition into the workforce as manufacturer-trained technicians when their military careers end. Enrollment in MSTEP doesn’t guarantee a job with BMW, but the vocational training hopes to be a step in the right direction in finding job placement as…

A new program will allow BMW customers to earn additional income by renting their leased vehicles, or driving for ride-sharing companies. It’s been launched in California, Washington, and Oregon, with hopes to reach even more cities in coming months.

Photo Source: BMW Blog

DriveNow, previously a joint venture of BMW and Sixt SE, is a car-sharing service currently available to more than one million customers in 13 European cities. BMW will now take full ownership by acquiring Sixt’s stake in the company, giving BMW more options for mobility services in the future.

BMW’s current vehicle sharing program…

Wouldn’t it be nice to have your electric BMW vehicle wirelessly charged in less than four hours? That’s the intent when BMW Group makes their wireless charging pad accessible in the United States later this year. They are set to expand the availability of this technology for their plug-in vehicles, which has previously only been accessible in Europe.

Photo Source: Mashable

The charging pad uses an inductive cord built into the car to charge at 3.2kW per hour and charge the plug-in’s battery in 3.5 hours from empty. Owners need a 220-volt outlet to connect…

It’s no surprise that the BMW Group has been named the top Premium Automotive Company after producing its best-ever annual sales report in 2017, an achievement it’s been topping for seven consecutive years.

“We are delighted with these new record sales figures, which mean the BMW Group, with its three premium automotive brands BMW, MINI, and Rolls-Royce, remains the world’s leading premium automotive company,” said Ian Robertson, former BMW AG board member responsible for Sales and Brand BMW. “We have continued to increase sales despite headwinds in some major markets and model-changeovers of several of our most…

BMW recently announced that upcoming BMW and MINI models will be outfitted with an updated traction control system that responds quicker than traditional systems. BMW’s technology differs from other systems by calculating the control process directly in the powertrain rather than in a remote unit that requires long signal paths. This results in a response that is 50 times faster.

The system was first seen in the BMW i3s electric vehicle and was designed with EVs in mind. BMW’s head of chassis development, Peter Langen, had this to say: “With their high levels of torque and instantaneous responses…

2018 hasn’t even begun and BMW already has big plans for it. Before the end of the new year, BMW plans to present a refreshed hybrid powertrain and more technology features for its 7-Series sedan.

The hybrid powertrain will produce 380 horsepower (about 70 more than what it produces today) thanks to a powerful new motor. A new battery pack with a higher energy density will also contribute to the electricity, allowing the 745 to accelerate faster and keep the turbo engine turned off longer. The range is currently at 14 miles.

One of the coolest upgrades it will…

BMW is proving that it’s yet again ahead of the curve. Earlier this month they announced their plans to offer a new iOS configurator through Apple’s Augmented Reality app using ARKit with iOS 11.

Photo Source: BMW Blog

So what does this mean, exactly? Customers in specific markets can use their iPads and iPhones to view 3D renderings of BMW i cars like the i3 and i8 in their actual size. The app…

By 2025 BMW Group is committed to unveiling 25 electric cars. Out of those, 12 will be battery powered. The first two vehicles have already been revealed: the BMW i8 Roadster and the MINI S E ALL4.

Based on their schedule, the electric MINI will debut in early 2019 and an electric X3 will come in mid-2020. It’s rumored that the anticipated iNext would follow suit in early 2021 and might be badged an i9. The iNext will be a crossover and the first for BMW to offer the German’s self-driving system and 5th generation batteries, which are…

BMW recently announced the plans for their Vision E^3 Way. This dedicated network of elevated highways aims to reduce congestion and increase traffic capacity by creating an entire highway system solely for one method of transportation: bikes.

Photo Source: CNET

The Vision E^3 Way is a series of elevated highways connecting different traffic hubs and they only permit two-wheeled electric vehicles. Whether it be motorcycles, scooters, or bicycles, they simply must be zero-emissions and only have two wheels. Riders can use the highways to enjoy peaceful rides of up to 9.3 miles per hour.

The three Es…