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These are KBB's Top Ten Green Cars for 2015

For the second straight year, the Top Ten Green Cars list from KBB (i.e. the acronym for Kelley Blue Book) should have been retitled KBBimmer. That's because the BMW i3 electric vehicle has topped KBB's list of greenest production vehicles for two years running. That means that having the lowest purchase price wasn't that big of a factor in determining the winner. KBB releases its list about this time of year every year in honor of Earth Day and this year not only praised the Bimmer for its performance and single-charge range, but also noted that its factory is powered by wind turbines, which gives the car and the company a few more treehugger points. Meanwhile, KBB didn't exactly surprise a ton of people by including models like the Chevrolet Volt extended-range plug-in (with a caveat that the next-generation version will be coming out next year), Nissan Leaf and Tesla Model S EVs and the Toyota Prius' four hybrid variants. Other somewhat lower-profile advanced-powertrain models to make the cut were the Honda Accord Hybrid, Toyota Camry Hybrid, Volkswagen e-Golf and Ford C-Max Hybrid. Rounding out the list was the Volkswagen Jetta TDI, the only diesel that KBB recommended as a Top Ten pick. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2014 BMW i3: First Drive View 33 Photos News Source: KBBImage Credit: Drew Phillips Green BMW Electric top 10

BMW considering North American engine plant?

BMW may be set to expand its US operations with a new engine plant, Bloomberg reports. The Bavarian automaker already has its Spartanburg, SC factory which builds the company's X3, X5 and X6 crossovers. According to the story, Mexico is also under consideration for the BMW engine factory, with the report claiming a final decision will be made in 2014.
"Establishing local motor manufacturing abroad is more complex than assembling cars, but it's a logical step for them to eventually start making engines in markets where they're expanding vehicle production," Juergen Pieper, an analyst for Bankhaus Metzler tells Bloomberg. Building engines in the US or Mexico would save BMW from having to ship engines for some of its most popular models across the Atlantic.
BMW, for its part, hasn't said anything concrete. Spokesman Mathias Schmidt is quoted in the story saying, "As part of our long-term growth strategy, we're frequently looking at different countries for possible locations of future production facilities. No decisions have been made yet, though, for an additional plant."

Nissan and BMW want the UK to stay in the EU

Nissan and BMW are saying that the Brexit shouldn't become reality. It's a mixture of hope and threat because their planned investments in the UK risk to be damaged by the referendum's result. While those brands are still saying that every decision from the UK's people will be respected, you can sense a fear that every plan is going to be messed up. The problem is simple according to Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn: "For us, a position of stability is more positive than a collection of unknowns. It makes the most sense for jobs, trade and costs." For sure Nissan is not going to shut its plant in northeast England if the country exits the Union, but this could change plans for the future, as the so-called Brexit could cause an increase on costs and above all on competition. Nissan employs 8,000 people in the UK across its manufacturing, engineering, and design facilities, and a further 32,000 indirectly through dealerships and its supply chain. All these people produce almost half a million cars and 80 percent of those are exported, so just imagine how taxes could affect prices and sales. If the EU's borders get smaller, Nissan will face some problems with customs duties the foreign products struggle with, as other Japanese automakers have so far, while importing their cars into the Union. Nissan is not the only maker interested in the outcome of the referendum to be held June 23; BMW is of the same mood, hoping Brexit won't become reality. The Germans already warn Mini and Rolls-Royce employees that the exit of UK from the Union could cause problems with increasing costs and higher prices due to tariff barriers. BMW CEO Harald Krueger at the Geneva auto show said "a UK vote to exit the European Union would cloud the future of the automaker's UK brands, which include Mini, along with Rolls-Royce". What's happening in this case is not only an English issue. In fact, although every decision taken by the UK's people must be respected, the automakers are right when saying they hope it is not going to happen, as you hope no one changes the cards during the game. Image Credit: Nissan Government/Legal BMW Nissan brexit open road