View Full Version : Morning Reads: 4 May 2007
Today’s Birthdays / Calendar (http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/calendar.php?do=getinfo&day=2007-5-4&c=1)
http://beconfused.com/images/2005/10/My%20birthday%20cake%202005.jpg
News:
bikernewsonline.com ( http://www.bikernewsonline.com/2007/05/indiana-patriot-guard-riders-fundraiser.htm) – Indiana Patriot Guard Riders Fundraiser – June 2
citybiker.wordpress.com ( http://citybiker.wordpress.com/2007/05/03/a-ny-moment-clip-from-motorcycle-women/) – A NY Moment: Clip from “Motorcycle Women”
gizmag.com’s ( http://www.gizmag.com/go/7185/) take on MV Agusta’s return to racing.
From Motoblog.it ( http://www.motoblog.it/post/7564/prova-ducati-hypermotard-2) with translation by Google translator:
http://static.blogo.it/motoblog/ducati-hypermotard-prova-stampa/DSC_0010.jpg
We are as soon as it arrives to you in hotel, in the beautifulst Sardinia, to receive us to the income she, boys how much is beautiful!! I send you some photo to the flight, soon will be the press conference (that I will resume in video), unfortunately the time is not of the best ones… indeed we also say that is bruttino strong, the forecasts in order tomorrow gives little rain to us (fanculo!) we hope that as usual they are mistaken. To after.
Insurnace Journal.com ( http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/midwest/2007/05/03/79322.htm) – Iowa DOT releases plan to reduce higway deaths by 10%
Motorcycle-USA.com ( http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/Article_Page.aspx?ArticleID=4682&Page=1) – Students graduate from college and take a cross country bike trip.
TopSpeed.com (http://www.topspeed.com/motorcycles/motorcycle-reviews/triumph/triumph-thruxton-900-ar34302.html) – 2007 Triumph Thruxton 900 Review
Another subprime lending story. This time from the auto industry. The trend does not bode well for motorcycle lending. CrossingWallStreet.com (http://www.crossingwallstreet.com/archives/2007/05/the_subprime_fa_1.html) The subprime fallout hits GM. So what’s the big deal you ask? The bike you buy today may be my next use bike.
iht.com (http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/05/01/business/AS-FIN-COM-India-Harley-Davidson.php) – H-D confirms it is not going to India at this time.
Blog Update:
A Boy and His Bike (http://aboyandhisbike.com/) – Why I ride
Helmet Hair (http://www.helmethairblog.com/entries/harley-davidson-knucklehead-video/) serves up an episode of Discovery Channel’s “Greatest ever motorcycle
Meanderings on Two Wheels (http://ridingtwowheels.blogspot.com/2007/05/rider-in-storm-unexpected-part-two.html)
The Flight of the Platypus (http://flightoftheplatypus.blogspot.com/2007/04/race-day-at-leyda.html) – Race Day at Leyda
Gear:
Bikes in the Fast Lane ( http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/05032007144107MWEGVR.htm) – Liquid motorcycle jacket
webBikeWorld.com (http://www.webbikeworld.com/r3/motorcycle-underwear/becka-coolwear/) – Becka Coolwear Motorcycle Underwear
Riding Skills:
Citybiker.wordpress.com ( http://citybiker.wordpress.com/2007/05/02/keeping-it-light/) – Things to remember: Keeping it light
Photography / Video:
DPS.com (http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/11-tips-for-better-candid-photography/) – 11 tips for better candid photography
Today’s RoadFood.com ( http://www.roadfood.com/)
Woot
Todays Woot ( http://www.woot.com/Default.aspx)
The Blog ( http://www.woot.com/Blog/Default.aspx)
Over Heard in New York | Voice of the City (http://www.overheardinnewyork.com/)
All things BMW
Rumor: MotorcycleDaily.com (http://www.motorcycledaily.com/02may07_bmw_f800gs.htm) BMW F800GS should be introduced soon
motoblog.it ( http://www.motoblog.it/post/7559/debutto-ufficiale-per-la-bmw-450-enduro) has more pictures of the BMW 450 in action. No Translation.
sharecast.com ( http://www.sharecast.com/cgi-bin/sharecast/story.cgi?story_id=1254383) – Europe: UBS, BMW drag on market
automotiveworld.com ( http://www.automotiveworld.com/WVMA/content.asp?contentid=60337) – BMW Group reports 38.1% fall in Q1 net profit
BBC.co.uk ( http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6618783.stm) – Car launch costs hit BMW profits.
World of BMW news
Pfeiffer back in the USSR (http://www.worldofbmw.com/content/article.asp?article=777&artDate=03/05/2007)
BMW Sauber F1: Website (http://www.bmw-sauber-f1.com/en/index.html)
BMWOraclerRacing.com (http://bmworacleracing.com/en/index.html?track.refer=) the America’s Cup website.
BMW Press Club: Page 2 (http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?p=204511&posted=1#post204511)
BMW MOA Chartered Club:
club: Summit City Beemers, #314
founded: 4/17/2004
contact:
James Spangle (jsmsvbjb@aol.com)
5423 Litchfield Rd.
Fort Wayne, IN 46835 US
www.groups.yahoo.com/group/scbeemers
meetings: Monthly
other events: Dinner rides, rally attendance
http://m1ka.smugmug.com/photos/120673248-M.png (http://www.bmwmoa.org/rally/rally07/rally07announce.htm)
Gemütlichkeit is the warm, comfortable feeling
one receives from pleasant surroundings and atmosphere.
I think you will find that when you come here.
http://www.travelwisconsin.com/upload/images/Destination/cedarburg_strawberries.jpg (http://www.travelwisconsin.com/Cedarburg.aspx)
Cedarburg
A visit to Cedarburg is like a step back in time. Located only 20 minutes north of Milwaukee, Cedarburg’s main street is lined with limestone and cream city brick buildings dating from the mid-19th to early 20th centuries. Many of these buildings have been preserved as landmarks - a key element of Cedarburg's charm. Antique shops, specialty stores, taverns, restaurants and historic inns make Cedarburg a delightful destination.
Ozaukee – Washington Daily News ( http://www.dailynewsol.com/index.htm)
Fond Du Lac Reporter ( http://www.fdlreporter.com/apps/pbcs.dll/frontpage)
The Sheboygan Press ( http://www.sheboygan-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/frontpage)
Daily Citizen, Beaver Dam (http://www.wiscnews.com/bdc/)
Weather
West Bend WI
Current (http://www.weather.com/weather/local/USWI0733?from=search_current)
10 Day Forcast (http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/USWI0733?from=36hr_topnav_undeclared )
United States
National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (http://www.noaa.gov/)
Canada
Meteorological Service of Canada (http://www.weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca/canada_e.html)
http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/images/headers/logo-dot-header.gif (http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/travel/driving-cond.htm)
Travel Information – Driving Conditions and other related information sites.
Bike Candy:
http://m1ka.smugmug.com/photos/149037672-L.jpg
Part of a new ad campaign by Aprilia
THE END (http://www.alighthouse.com/internet.htm)
BMW Group Press Club:
Tracking the news from BMW at their English language sites and Germany
PressClub USA
BMW Group on course in the first quarter
Quarter characterised by currency burden and base effect
Earnings and sales volume outlook for full year reaffirmed
Munich. The BMW Group is fully on track in the first quarter despite difficult conditions. As expected, the business performance was characterised by adverse currency factors, high raw material prices and high start-up costs for new models. The change in reported earnings was also affected by a significant “base effect”, namely the one-off non-cash gain that was recognised in the first quarter last year arising on the partial settlement of an exchangeable bond on shares in the British aero engine manufacturer, Rolls-Royce plc.
First-quarter revenues in 2007 rose by 2.9% to euro 11,951 (prev.yr.: 11,618) million. The pre-tax profit fell by 34.3% to euro 852 (prev.yr.: 1,296) million, with the above-mentioned one-off gain of euro 375 million on the exchangeable bond making a substantial contribution to the previous year’s high level. Excluding exceptional items, group earnings fell by only 11.7%. This decrease was attributable to the weakness of the US dollar and the Japanese yen, combined with a succession of model changes and ensuing start-up costs. The first-quarter profit after tax, at euro 587 million, was 38.1% lower than the previous year’s figure of euro 948 million.
Business expected to increase noticeably in coming months
The first-quarter performance corresponds fully to the BMW Group’s expectations. Although production start-ups and market launches initially involve a high level of costs, the introduction of new models will bring rewards in the future: “We expect business to increase noticeably in the coming months", stated Norbert Reithofer, the Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG on Thursday in Munich. “Three months into the year, we are right on course to achieve our targets for the full year. In addition to increasing sales volume in the high single-digit percentage range to over 1.4 million vehicles, the BMW Group is aiming to achieve a pre-tax profit, which, adjusted for the gain on the Rolls-Royce exchangeable bond, will be above the record level posted for the previous year”, continued Reithofer.
Currency effects and high raw material prices will continue to have an impact on reported results, albeit to a lesser degree than in the previous year. By contrast, earnings will benefit in particular from the targeted sales volume record, with all three brands achieving new sales volume records. The BMW Group will also continue to implement continuous efficiency and productivity improvements.
Workforce level virtually unchanged
The BMW Group had a worldwide workforce of 106,855 employees at the end of the first quarter 2007, 0.6% more than one year earlier (31 March 2006: 106,179 employees). Compared to 31 December 2006 (106,575 employees), the workforce increased by 0.3%.
Numerous new models over the course of 2007
The BMW Group is again launching out numerous new models during the current year. The new BMW 3 Series Convertible as well as the revised 1 Series, 5 Series Sedan and Touring have all been available on the market since the end of March. After its successful introduction in the USA in November 2006, the new BMW X5 is also now available on the market in Europe and Asia. Similarly, the new MINI was launched on all major markets towards the end of the first quarter, to be followed by the MINI One and the MINI Cooper D at the end of April. The market launch of the MINI Clubman is also planned for later in the year. The three-door version of the BMW 1 Series will become available from May onwards, and the BMW M5 Touring at the end of May. Delivery of the first Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupés is planned for summer 2007. The Motorcycle segment’s product initiative will also be continued during the current year.
First-quarter sales volume up marginally
The BMW Group sold more vehicles in the first three months of the current year than ever before in a first quarter. Despite model changes during the quarter under report, the number of BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brand cars edged up by 0.1% to 333,276 (prev.yr.: 332,923) units. The sales volume is expected to rise sharply in the coming months, thanks to the new models.
BMW brand sales in the first three months increased by 1.0% to 286,185 (prev.yr.: 283,297) units. Due to the restricted availability of the model range - the MINI One and MINI Cooper D only came onto the market at the end of April - the first-quarter sales volume of the MINI brand fell by 5.1% to 46.978 (prev.yr.: 49,519) units. The new models will lead to a significant rise in sales volume for the MINI brand in the coming months.
Within the super-luxury segment, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars handed over 113 Phantoms to customers, 5.6% more than in the same quarter last year (107 units), with growth impetus coming in particular from North America and Asia. With its Phantom Armoured, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars plans to bring out a new model that will fulfil the highest international safety standards. This vehicle will be sold initially in Europe and the Middle East.
The first-quarter profit before tax of the Automobile segment was affected by adverse currency factors, high raw material prices and model life-cycle factors. The profit before tax fell by 20.0% to euro 609 (prev.yr.: 761) million, whilst revenues edged up 1.7% to euro 11,418 (prev.yr.: 11,231) million.
Motorcycles business profiting from new models
Motorcycle business continued to make good progress thanks to its new models. The number of motorcycles sold rose sharply to 23,029 (prev.yr.: 19,051/20.9%) units. Segment revenues climbed by 17.3% to euro 367 (prev.yr.: 313) million and segment profit before tax improved by 17.2% to euro 34 (prev.yr.: 29) million
Financial services business continues to perform well
The Financial Services segment continued to perform well during the first quarter 2007. The total business volume as disclosed in the balance sheet increased by 12.1% to euro 45,727 (prev.yr.: 40,796) million. The number of lease and financing contracts in place with dealers and retail customers rose by 10.3% to a total of 2,337,645 contracts. The proportion of new cars of the BMW Group financed by the Financial Services segment was 44.2%, 2.7 percentage points above the proportion recorded one year earlier. Segment revenues rose by 12.6% to euro 3,083 (prev.yr.: 2,738) million and the segment profit before tax improved by 5.8% to euro 183 (prev.yr.: 173) million
Statement by
Dr. Norbert Reithofer
Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG
Conference Call on the Interim Report as of March 31, 2007
May 3, 2007
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good morning and welcome to our conference call on the first quarter of 2007!
Where do we stand, following the first three months of the current business year?
One thing is for sure: The BMW Group’s business trend is completely in line with our plans. And we remain fully on track.
In the first quarter, our three segments – Automobile, Motorcycles and Financial Services – performed as follows:
We delivered more than 333,200 vehicles under the BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brands to our customers. This was 0.1 percent more than in the same period last year. As a result, we achieved a new record for a first quarter ever.
Our motorcycle business also achieved a new all-time high for a first quarter, selling more than 23,000 BMW motorcycles. The strong 20.9 percent growth compared with the first quarter of 2006 is to a considerable extent due to strong advanced purchases. In the first quarter of 2006, we experienced a decline in retail, due to the long, cold winter. In contrast, this year, Europe’s mild winter has boosted business. However, our motorcycle operations continue to post gains – across all relevant markets.
We continued to perform successfully in our financial services business as well. This can be seen by the increase in the number of leasing and financing agreements, among other things. Compared with the same period last year, the number of contracts with dealers and end customers was up 10.3 percent to some 2.34 million.
Concerning retail in the automobile segment, we have said repeatedly that this year’s development will mirror that of 2006. This means that, following a moderate start, we expect to see significant growth over the remaining course of the year.
As stated at our Annual Press Conference, we introduced quite a number of new models. They include the updated BMW 1 Series and the new BMW 3 Series Convertible, the updated BMW 5 Series, and the new M5 Touring. Following its successful US launch in November 2006, the X5 was introduced in Europe and Asia as well. The new MINI generation has only been available on the US and Japanese markets since February and March.
The MINI One and MINI Cooper D have been on the overall market since April 21.
Our new models were extremely well received at the Geneva and Shanghai Auto Shows. These cars reflect the customers’ tastes and the spirit of our times. On top of that, they set high standards, thanks to our new, highly efficient engines, related to our BMW EfficientDynamics program.
These new, attractive models will drive retail growth over the course of the year. And additional models will follow.
At our Annual Press Conference, I explained that the newly introduced BMW and MINI models alone will allow retail to jump by 50,000 units from the first to the second quarter.
However, our new models produced high startup and market entry costs in the first quarter. For example, we manufactured a large number of automobiles in the first quarter, in order to be able to deliver them at market launch.
These effects are driven by the model cycles, and they are reflected in our Q1 earnings for both BMW and MINI. Furthermore, external factors had a dampening impact on our earnings trend. Besides raw material prices, effects included the substantial burdens arising from the sustained weakness of the US dollar and yen-based currency effects. Mr. Krause will give you more details on this later.
Moreover, as you know, the 375 million euro book gain on the exchangeable bond option on shares in Rolls-Royce plc had a very positive effect on earnings for the first quarter of 2006.
All these factors – and I wish to emphasize this here – have been considered in our plans.
We posted the following key financials in the first quarter:
Revenue rose to a new record high in the first quarter. At about 11.95 billion euros, it surpassed the year-earlier figure by 2.9 percent.
Profit before tax was at 852 million euros and was therefore 34.3 percent down year on year. Excluding the one-off effects of the Rolls-Royce exchangeable bond, the decrease amounts to 11.7 percent.
I’m certain that we will continue our successful business trend in 2007 and achieve further profitable growth.
Therefore, the Group’s outlook for 2007 remains unchanged.
We expect all three brands to achieve new all-time highs concerning retail. Group retail will rise by a high single-digit percentage – to a total of more than 1.4 million vehicles.
Excluding the one-off effect from the Rolls-Royce exchangeable bond, we aim to achieve a Group profit before tax that exceeds last year’s level. The extent to which we surpass last year’s result will depend on whether we have additional opportunities to increase profit despite the significant external burdens.
But you can rest assured:
We will work hard and take advantage of every opportunity we get to achieve our goals.
Thank you very much!
Statement by
Stefan Krause
Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG; Finance,
Conference Call on the Interim Report as of March 31, 2007
May 3, 2007
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Our business trend is fully in line with our plans. The BMW Group is on track. As we announced earlier, our business performance will see a substantial improvement in the next few months, as new models are introduced.
The earnings trend in the first quarter was significantly influenced by the effects associated with the Rolls-Royce exchangeable bond.
Our profit before tax declined by 34.3% to 852 million euros.
Net of the effect associated with the Rolls-Royce exchangeable bond, Group profit in the first three months was down a mere 11.7%.
In the last quarter we did not yet benefit from the launch of several new products but already had to cope with the negative impact of foreign exchange rates and raw material prices in addition to the adverse effects of model cycles and launch costs. Now that I have presented these key financials, I would like to highlight some of the details of our business performance by segment.
The Automobile Segment
Revenues generated in the Automotive business in the first quarter of 2007 were slightly up on the same quarter last year, advancing 1.7% to 11,418 billion euros.
The profit before tax was affected by model changes, startup and launch costs associated with the new models and the negative effect of raw materials and foreign exchange rates. As a result, the profit before tax earned by the Automobile segment was down 20.0% to 609 million euros.
The Financial Services Segment
Once again, the financial services business showed very dynamic development in the first quarter.
The business volume in balance-sheet terms rose 12.1% to about 46 billion euros.
As of the end of March 2007, the penetration rate, which reflects the share of new vehicles leased or financed through the financial services business, was 44.2%, representing a 2.7 percentage point increase. Once again, this confirmed the trend toward consumer leasing.
Earnings generated by our financial services operations improved by 5.8% to 183 million euros.
The Motorcycle Segment
The Motorcycle Segment benefited from the new models, boosting retail, revenues and profit. Furthermore, the motorcycle markets operated in a very positive environment triggered above all by the mild winter in Europe.
Revenues generated in the motorcycle business therefore improved by 17.3% to 367 million euros.
Accordingly, the profit before tax climbed significantly, advancing by 17.2% to 34 million euros.
Reconciliations
In the first quarter of last year, profit was affected by the positive impact of 375 million euros from the exchangeable bond. This was attributable to the conversion carried out by most of the bondholders.
Conversions were performed in the first quarter of 2007 as well, albeit to a much lesser degree. The positive effect stemming from the conversion in the first quarter of the current business year amounted to 42 million euros. This is contrasted by a burden of 11 million euros from the valuation of the option.
Therefore, reconciliations closed March 2007 with a positive balance of 26 million euros, compared with 333 million euros in the same quarter last year.
Group Income Statement
Now let us take a look at a selection of items from the income statement.
In the quarter that was just completed, research and development costs recorded a 4.6% increase to 637 million euros. Their share of revenues rose marginally, from 5.2% to 5.3%.
In the first quarter of the year underway, the development costs’ rate of capitalization rose from 38.6% to 42.2% year on year, as a result of the higher number of projects that went into series production.
Sales costs were up 5.7% on the same quarter last year, owing to the large number of product launches.
In the quarter that just ended, Group profit before the financial result advanced by some 3% to 912 million euros. At 7.6%, the EBIT margin was nearly unchanged from the same period last year.
The financial result changed considerably due to the significant base volume factors in connection with the exchangeable bond from last year, dropping from 407 million euros to -60 million euros.
Let me highlight the main factors that influenced profit:
In addition to the already mentioned model cycle and launch effects, profit was affected by the increase in depreciation as well as currency effects. The persistently high price of raw materials made another negative impact.
As in the preceding quarters, the negative currency effects stem from the change in hedge rates as well as the deterioration of spot rates.
As you know, the spot rates for the US dollar and the Japanese yen each worsened by some 10% compared with the level achieved in the same quarter last year. This is in particular remarkable due to the long lasting weakness of the Japanese currency, which is in a permanent downward trend for more than six years.
The persistent rise in raw material and precious metal prices continued to dampen earnings.
Group Net Profit and Earnings per Share
Group net profit amounted to 587 million euros at the end of the first quarter of 2007, primarily due to the base volume factors associated with exchangeable bond, and was thus substantially down on the 948 million euros achieved in the same period last year.
Since the high effect of the exchangeable bond I mentioned earlier was tax-free, the tax rate rose from 26.9% to 31.1% year on year.
In the first quarter of the current financial year, the adjusted return on sales after taxes totaled 4.7%, compared with the 5.0% recorded in last year’s corresponding quarter.
Cash Flow
In the first three months, operating cash flow amounted to approximately 1.3 billion euros—marginally up on the figure achieved in the same period last year.
Free cash flow as of the end of March 2007 amounted to roughly 400 million euros. The year-on-year decrease is predominantly due to the rise in capital expenditures. Due to the high number of model launches we already had corresponding high investments in the first quarter.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The developments of the first three months are in line with our expectations. However, they do not reflect the trend anticipated for the year as a whole.
In the months ahead, automobile retail will develop much more dynamically, owing to the introduction of new models. We continue to expect high single-digit percent growth in retail sales.
Therefore, in the business year currently underway, net of the 372 million euro one-off effect of the Rolls-Royce exchangeable bond, we are still aiming to achieve a profit before tax exceeding the record level set last year.
In light of the persistently high burden stemming from currency effects, raw material prices and interest rates, the extent to which the profit before tax will increase will depend on whether additional opportunities arise for further improving the Group’s profit.
All in all, we expect that the dampening effects will not have as strong an impact as they did last year.
We anticipate to see a positive earnings trend in the next few quarters, resulting from the aforementioned effects of model introductions.
Thank you for your interest and attention.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Now, Dr. Reithofer and I look forward to answering your questions.
[No transcript of the Q&A is available]
Motorsports PressClub
BMW Sauber F1 Team - Test in Barcelona - Day 3
Test in Barcelona
30th April - 3rd May 2007
Day three - Wednesday
Weather conditions: Dry and sunny
Temperatures: Air: 13-19°C, Track: 16-28°C
Number of cars participating: 11
Fastest lap overall: 1:21.506 min, Felipe Massa, Ferrari
Robert Kubica:
Chassis / engine: BMW Sauber F1.07-05 / BMW P86/7 V8
Test kilometres today: 393 km (85 laps)
Fastest lap: 1:22.653 min (on lap 40)
Programme:
Thanks to a dry day the team was able to do set-up and tyre work with Robert for the Spanish Grand Prix. The team also worked on the car in general.
What comes next:
Robert will again drive on the final day of the test. Weather permitting, as there is a risk of rain again, the team will continue with its preparation work for the next Grand Prix. They will also continue with some of the work scheduled for Nick on day two, but not completed due to bad weather.
The Spanish Grand Prix is on the 11th, 12th and 13th May, and the next test will be at Paul Ricard in France on the 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th May.
WTCC - Zandvoort - Rounds 3 & 4 – Preview
FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) 2007
Races 3 & 4 - 05th/06th May 2007 - Preview
BMW Drivers well prepared for WTCC's European Start.
Munich, 30th April 2007. The next round of the FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) is taking place on 6th May. After a break of almost two months, the drivers of the BMW national teams will be fighting for world championship points at the Circuit Park Zandvoort. The testing sessions in Brno (CZE), Oschersleben (GER) and Monza (ITA) during the race-free period saw intensive work done on the BMW 320si WTCC. BMW made a simply fantastic start to the season in Curitiba (BRA). Over both races the two BMW Team Germany drivers Jörg Müller (DEU) and Augusto Farfus (BRA) together with defending champion Andy Priaulx (GBR) from BMW Team UK shared the three podium places amongst themselves.
However, because of the positive result from Brazil the three BMW drivers must now each cope with 35 kilograms of handicap weight in rounds three and four. Alessandro Zanardi (ITA) from BMW Team Italy-Spain too will be driving with 15 kilograms of ballast onboard. Only his team colleague Félix Porteiro (ESP) will not be saddled with any additional weight for the race. Nevertheless, in comparison to his competitors in the SEAT, Chevrolet and Alfa Romeo teams, the 23-year old will be running significantly heavier than in Curitiba - following a decision by the FIA Touring Car Bureau these three manufacturers will benefit from a 25 kilogram reduction in weight in Zandvoort.
Jörg Müller (BMW Team Germany):
"I am of course delighted that we are racing again after the long break. And we haven't been resting on our laurels during that time. The test sessions went very well and BMW was always up at the front. But I am predicting a different situation in Zandvoort than what we saw in Curitiba. Augusto, Andy and myself have a lot of weight onboard. Added to that is the reduction in weight for our competitors. So my only aim is to still take as many points as possible. Because I was born in Kerkrade these two races are something of a home event for me."
Augusto Farfus (BMW Team Germany):
"It's good that the season is finally getting underway again. I was able to get to know the Zandvoort track a few weeks ago during testing. I like it a lot. It rises and drops constantly and there is a great variety of corners to master. We will have to wait and see how the changes in weight will affect us. We have to get points to stay up there with the leaders."
Andy Priaulx (BMW Team UK):
"Our recent schedule has been pretty rigorous. During testing in Brno our BMW Team UK was the quickest there. Then we went to Oschersleben and Monza. So all said our preparations for the start of racing in Europe have been very good. But we need that because the challenges ahead of us are anything but easy. In Zandvoort we will have to get used to the changing conditions. The winds are sometimes very gusty and the track grip can change from one second to the next."
History and background:
The first race car event at Circuit Park Zandvoort took place on 7th August 1948. Since that time this track, now 4.3 kilometres long, has been the place where motor sport fans in the Netherlands gather to indulge in their passion.
Formula 1 visited Zandvoort a total of 30 times between 1952 and 1985. The first Dutch Grand Prix saw Alberto Ascari (ITA) drive to an impressive victory - he secured pole position in qualifying, achieved the fastest lap time and won the world championship round ahead of his compatriots Nino Farina and Luigi Villoresi. The last time that the Netherlands hosted Formula 1 was in 1985, the race resulted in Niki Lauda standing on the top of the podium (AUT).
History was made at the Dutch Grand Prix of 1961 at Circuit Park Zandvoort - all 15 race cars completed the 75 laps without a single pit stop.
2007 sees Circuit Park Zandvoort host an event in the World Touring Car Championship race calendar for the very first time. Apart from the WTCC the track is hosting numerous other international race series this season.
On 28 - 29th July 2007, the young drivers in Formula BMW Germany will be battling for championship points. Following races at Oschersleben, the EuroSpeedway in Lausitz, the Norisring and the Nürburgring, Circuit Park Zandvoort is the first international venue for this successful grade for aspiring Formula 1 drivers. Formula BMW Germany begins its new season next weekend with a total of 24 up-and-coming young drivers.
There is one point of similarity between the Circuit Park Zandvoort and the new Bahrain International Circuit, where the BMW Sauber F1 Team collected eight world championship points in the third Formula 1 race of the year: due to the direct proximity of the Zandvoort circuit's to the North Sea beach coastline, it is possible that sand can blow onto the track and impact on the racing conditions.
Prior to appearing at Zandvoort, BMW drivers Andy Priaulx and Jörg Müller will be attending a special event. This coming Saturday BMW will, for the first time in 31 years, be bringing a modern Formula 1 car back to the legendary Northern Circuit of the Nürburgring. Nick Heidfeld (GER) will be driving the BMW Sauber F1 Team's car.
Zandvoort lies in the North-Holland province of the Netherlands and has some 16000 inhabitants who live mainly from tourism. Another attraction of the area is the Circuit Zandvoort Amusement Park.
Both of these WTCC races will be 12 laps. The first race will start on Sunday at 12.05 hrs. Race two will begin at 15.35 hrs. Eurosport will be providing live television coverage of both races as well as qualifying (Saturday from 15.00 hrs).
CourtFisher
05-04-2007, 09:43 PM
[Some additional detail from BMW 1Q report to John's excellent daily update]
Motorcycle sales volume up sharply
The motorcycle markets relevant for the BMW Group
developed positively overall in the first quarter
2007. The 500 cc plus class sector registered a
first-quarter growth rate of 2.1%. The motorcycle
markets grew especially in Europe due to the mild
winter which encouraged pre-seasonal buying.
Compared to the first quarter 2006, the growth rate
was 12.0%. In Germany, the 500 cc plus market
outperformed the previous year’s figure by 9.1%,
the first increase recorded in a first quarter for seven
years. In the USA, however, the previous year’s mark
could not quite be reached, with the 500 cc plus
motorcycle market showing a slightly decreasing
tendency, albeit at a high level (–1.7%).The Japanese
motorcycle market contracted by 18.2%in the first
quarter 2007.
Unit sales achieved by the BMW Motorcycles
segment reflected the positive development of the
markets. With a sales volume of 23,029 units and a
growth rate of 20.9%, the segment achieved a new
high level for a first quarter.
The BMW Group sold 16,209 motorcycles in
Europe in the first three months of 2007, surpassing
the previous year’s equivalent figure by 14.3%.The
Motorcycles segment registered especially high
growth in the United Kingdom, where the sale of
1,147 units represented a 33.1% jump against the
previous year. In France, the first-quarter sales volume
figure of 1,666 units was 10.0% up on the
previous year. In Italy, too, the sales volume figure
of 4,026 units was 9.8 % higher than in the first
quarter last year. The 1,989 units sold in Spain represented
a sale volume increase of 9.6 %. A total
of 4,142 units (+ 8.5%) was sold in Germany, the
largest single market for BMW motorcycles.
In the USA, the BMW Group sold a total of
2,694 motorcycles in the first quarter, 16.9% more
than in the previous year. Sales of the F 800 S and
F 800 ST models made a significant contribution
to this increase; these models have been available
in the USA since the beginning of 2007. The positive
sales performance of BMW motorcycles in
Japan and South Africa has continued into 2007.
The BMW Group sold 655 units in Japan (+25.5%)
and 790 units in South Africa (+12.5%).
R1200 GS again best-selling BMWmotorcycle
The R1200 GS long-distance enduro again topped
the list of best-selling BMW motorcycles. Including
the Adventure model, a total of 7,377 units was
delivered to customers in the first quarter. Second
place was taken by the R1200 RT tourer with a total
of 2,529 units sold. The R1200 R, which has been
available on the market since September 2006, took
third place with 2,455 units sold. The popularity of
this roadster was also confirmed through its selection
by the magazine “Motorrad” as “Motorcycle of the
Year 2007” in this category.
Motorcycle production volume well above
previous year’s level
A total of 35,795 BMW motorcycles was manufactured
in the first quarter 2007, equivalent to a
growth rate of 21.2%. 31,901 motorcycles rolled off
the production lines at the BMW Berlin plant, and
3,894 units were manufactured at Piaggio S. p. A.,
Noale, Italy.
Segment revenues and earnings both improved
First-quarter segment revenues rose by 17.3% to
euro 367 million. Almost exactly in line with that
increase, segment profit before tax rose by 17.2%
to euro 34 million.
Workforce figure slightly lower
The BMW Group had a workforce of 2,765 employees
in the Motorcycles segment at 31 March
2007, a reduction of 2.4% compared to one year
earlier.
Motorcycles 09
Motorcycles 1st quarter 1st quarter Change
2007 2006 in %
* including BMW G650 X assembly at Piaggio S.p. A., Noale, Italy
Production* units 35,795 29,540 21.2
Deliveries to customers units 23,029 19,051 20.9
Revenues euro million 367 313 17.3
Profit before tax euro million 34 29 17.2
Workforce at end of quarter 2,765 2,833 – 2.4
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