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BMW hints at long wait for Tesla Model 3 in new ad

When an automaker takes 373,000 advance reservations for a highly touted electric vehicle, that company can become a big target. A competitor, BMW for example, could then take aim at that target in an ad. As you might suspect from how all this is worded, the German automaker doesn't mention Tesla Motors or its Model 3 by name in the ad, as you can see above. As it gets ready to start selling its 330e iPerformance plug-in hybrid, BMW launched a couple of advertisements during the Summer Olympics this month, Advertising Age says. While talking about the unnamed competition, the tag line says: "You will wait, and wait and wait some more." One ad shows a woman walking by two empty charging stations, which look an awful lot like Tesla Superchargers, on the way to her new BMW. The reference makes sense, as prospective buyers of the Tesla Model 3 will have to, uh, wait until at least late next year to get their new vehicles. The 330e iPerformance PHEV goes on sale this summer and will start at $44,695, about $10,000 more than where the Model 3 is expected to be priced. According to one of the ads, the car gets a 72 miles per gallon-equivalent fuel-efficiency rating and can travel as far as 14 miles on electricity alone thanks to its 7.6-kWh li-ion battery. The car can also go from 0 to 62 miles per hour in about six seconds. You can read our "First Drive" review here. BMW currently sells two plug-in vehicles in the US, both are under the automaker's i sub-brand. Through July, Bimmer has sold almost 4,400 units of its i3 battery-electric vehicle and almost 800 of the i8 plug-in hybrid supercar. In 2015, the two models had sales of 13,289 units, about double the 2014 numbers. Related Video:

Magna Steyr to assemble as many as 70,000 BMW 5 Series models yearly

Soon, not all BMW 5 Series models will be assembled by BMW. Yes, we know that sounds strange, but it's not at all uncommon. For instance, the Mini Paceman and Countryman hatchbacks – and remember, the Mini brand is owned by BMW – are assembled in Graz, Austria, by Magna Steyr, a company that specializes in building cars for other automakers. Soon, though, the contract Mini has with Magna Steyr will be coming to an end, and that means the Austrian company will have excess capacity on its hands. That production capacity will be filled soon enough, however, by BMW 5 Series models, according to a report from Automobil Produktion in Germany. Magna Steyr will build between 50,000 and 70,000 of BMW's mid-level model, according to the report, but there's no indication of which 5 Series model or models (and there are many shapes and sizes to choose...) will be moved to Austria from BMW's plant in Dingolfing in southern Germany. With 373,053 units sold in 2014, the 5 Series is BMW's second-most-popular model, after the 3 Series. BMW told Automotive News Europe that it doesn't comment on those kinds of reports, which, as is usually the case, is neither confirmation nor denial. It's worth noting that the two-door Mini Paceman isn't a part of the brand's plans moving past 2015, though the Countryman soft-roader that currently stands as the largest member of the automaker's family will soldier on. Related Video: Related Gallery 2014 BMW 5 Series sedan View 29 Photos News Source: Automobil Produktion via Automotive News Europe - sub. req.Image Credit: Markus Leodolter / AP Plants/Manufacturing BMW MINI Hatchback Wagon Luxury Performance Sedan austria

BMW offering glitch fix for i3 with range extender

The BMW i3 has received quite a bit of acclaim since its release, with the electric powertrain grabbing a spot on Ward's 10 Best Engines list and the high-tech machine earning the nod as 2015 Green Car of the Year. However, Consumer Reports uncovered a vexing problem with the range-extended version of the hatchback that has plagued it until a recent software update. While CR was driving the range-extended i3 last year, it discovered that when the internal combustion engine was running during low states of charge, hard acceleration could suddenly cut back with no warning to the driver. This was especially problematic when passing. BMW knew about the issue and promised a software update in the spring. That improvement is now available. BMW spokesperson David Buchko tells Autoblog that the software update adds a percent-of-charge indicator to all models of the i3 to let drivers know just how much juice is left. For the range-extended model, it also provides a warning of possible power reduction when the charge reaches two percent. According to Consumer Reports, the revision lets the car anticipate needing more reserve power based on the topography from the navigation system, as well. For any i3 drivers who want the upgrade, they need to visit a dealer for installation, according to Buchko, but it should be come at no cost to owners. Related Video: