528i 5 Series New 4 Dr Sedan Automatic Gasoline 2.0l I4 Carbon Black Metallic on 2040-cars

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Which car companies are creating new jobs in America?

Since January, automakers have announced investments totaling $9.5 billion in U.S. plants, creating or retaining more than 12,000 jobs. Some of those companies have yet to announce just how many jobs will be created given their investments, with the location of many of those jobs still to be determined. Specifically, the 4,000-job Toyota-Mazda joint venture plant still hasn't announced its location, with numerous states jockeying for it. Hyundai has plans to invest $1 billion but has not announced a jobs number yet. And likewise Ford is investing $1.2 billion in Michigan without specifying a number of jobs. Volvo this week announced plans to add a second line to its factory under construction in South Carolina, spending another $500 million and adding 2,500 jobs to the 2,000 it was already trying to fill. Then Thursday, Daimler announced a $1 billion expansion to its facility in Tuscaloosa, Ala., to produce EV batteries and electric SUVs, a move that will add 600 jobs to its hiring this year. Above, we've created a handy pie chart showing you which companies have announced new jobs and how many there will be. Reporting by Paul Lienert in Detroit News Source: Reuters Plants/Manufacturing BMW Chrysler Ford GM Honda Hyundai Mazda Mercedes-Benz Toyota Volvo jobs

Sunday Drive: Taking a gaze into the automotive crystal ball

Mankind has long been fascinated by the future. So it makes sense that this past week's top stories were all about cars, trucks, and SUVs that won't be hitting the market until the 2019 model year. And right at the top of the list is the Ram 1500. We've come to know Ram as the truck maker that styles its pickups with cues cribbed from big rigs, but that look has slowly evolved over time into something uniquely its own. The next Ram 1500 continues this trend, with a newly refined look that we can't wait to see in person. Up next is the 2019 Chevy Silverado. Pickup trucks have been, continue to be, and will remain the best-selling vehicles in America. And General Motors is a leader in the field, with two distinct offerings with which to entice buyers, one from the bread-and-butter Chevrolet brand and one wearing the slightly more upscale GMC badge. The Chevy looks to get LED lighting elements for 2019, which ought to keep the truck from looking dated when compared to the Ford F-150 and the previously mentioned Ram 1500. From there we move past pickup trucks and into SUVs and sedans. The 2019 Jeep Cherokee looks to get toned down a bit with its next refresh, and the '19 BMW 3 Series continues its slow evolutionary journey at the top of its aspirational sales pedestal. Finally, spy shots give way to official production reveals for the 2019 Audi A7 and Polestar 1. This pair of European luxury cars won't compete with one another – one is a rakish hatchback and the other a sports coupe – any further than for the eyeballs of our readers, but both proved popular enough to merit inclusion in our weekly roundup. As always, tune in to Autoblog next week for a front-row seat to all the happenings worth following in the automotive industry. 2019 Ram 1500 spotted without the classic crosshairs 2019 Chevy Silverado spied with new LED accents 2019 Jeep Cherokee reveals a much more normal face 2019 BMW 3 Series spy shots reveal production lights, new interior details 2019 Audi A7 revealed: More torque, refined styling Polestar 1 First Look | The 600 horsepower hybrid Scandinavian Green Audi BMW Chevrolet Jeep RAM Volvo Truck Hatchback SUV Future Vehicles Hybrid Luxury Performance Sedan sunday drive polestar 1

BMW builds awesome M4 GTS safety car and racing wheelchair

BMW has developed two very different, but equally impressive wheeled vehicles recently. The first is the new M4 GTS Safety Car, specially prepared to serve Germany's popular and highly competitive DTM touring car series. It packs 500 horsepower and trick water-injection tech, just like the other 700 road-going examples of the GTS. Unlike the street version, it features key upgrades like special LED lighting, radio communication equipment, and special livery, as well as the no-cost optional Clubsport pack that includes six-point racing harnesses, roll cage, and fire extinguisher. The other new BMW doesn't have an engine, but is highly impressive nonetheless. It's a racing wheelchair created by BMW DesignWorks. Stemming from the automaker's partnership with the United States Olympic Committee, it features carbon-fiber construction and has been streamlined for aerodynamic efficiency. Members of the US Paralympics Track and Field team will help further develop the wheelchair before using it at the upcoming games in Rio de Janeiro. We wouldn't be surprised if longtime BMW driver Alex Zanardi helped in its development as well, even if he'll be competing for Italy at the Paralympic Games this year. Related Video: New high-performance special model BMW M4 GTS to be employed as a safety car at the DTM in 2016. Special models from the BMW M's mid-range series with even better performance and radically designed for high-level driving dynamics have enjoyed a lasting tradition at BMW M Division for decades now. The latest example is the BMW M4 GTS. BMW M has opted for a particularly spectacular way of drawing the public's attention: The BMW M4 GTS is to become the official DTM safety car during the 2016 season. Munich , 28th April 2016. Special models from the BMW M's mid-range series with even better performance and radically designed for high-level driving dynamics have enjoyed a lasting tradition at BMW M Division for decades now. The latest example is the BMW M4 GTS, which is limited to 700 units (combined fuel consumption: 8.5 l/100 km; combined CO2 emissions: 199 g/km)*. In order to provide formidable proof of this elite sports car's outstanding performance qualities, BMW M has opted for a particularly spectacular way of drawing the public's attention: The BMW M4 GTS is to become the official DTM safety car during the 2016 season. The demands on such a lead car at the most popular international touring car series are high.