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BMW Adds Solar to Alternative Energy Portfolio at Plant Spartanburg
BMW Manufacturing has completed the installation and commissioning of solar panels that are providing solar energy to fully power the 24,000 square foot Zentrum Museum, the plant’s heritage museum and visitors center. In addition to the new solar panels, the plant also installed three new electric vehicle charging stations throughout the main facility.
Installation of 400 solar modules, each capable of producing 240 watts of energy, now provides power to the Zentrum Museum, as well as to the new electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. In partnership with Southwest Energy Management, the solar panelswere installed in front of the Zentrum Museumparallel to Interstate 85. BMW invested $500,000 in this installation. SunStore Solar also served as a consultant to BMW on this project.
Since 2003, methane gas has been collected, cleaned and compressed from a local landfill and used to power more than 50% of the BMW plant’s total energy requirements.
In 2009, the company invested $12 million in its landfill gas program to further improve overall efficiency. Implementation of the program has reduced CO2 emissions by about 92,000 tons per year and saves about $5 million annually in energy costs.
More recently,BMW announced the addition of a hydrogen storage and distribution area within the plant’s existing 11 megawatt Energy Center. The company is using hydrogen fuel cells to power nearly 100 material handling vehicles in the plant’s new 1.2 million square foot assembly facility that produces the new BMW X3 Sports Activity Vehicle.
 
Corporate Communications
BMW of North America, LLC
Introducing The All-New 3rd Generation BMW M6 Coupe and Convertible.
The iconic M6 returns from a two year hiatus more powerful, more athletic, more focused, more luxurious and more efficient than ever before. Since the “M6” badge was first placed on a BMW back in 1987, this iconic model has exemplified the luxury and daily usability of a top range BMW coupe combined with true super-car performance. Now, in its 3rd generation, the all-new BMW M6 will again be offered as a 4-seat Coupe and Convertible.
The new 2012 BMW M6 Convertible will be the first to arrive in US BMW Center showrooms in June 2012. The BMW M6 Coupe will arrive at US BMW Centers in the late Summer of 2012 as a 2013 model. US Pricing, technical specification, EPA mileage ratings, standard and optional equipment will be announced closer to the on-sale date.
Like its sedan brother the M5, the new M6 models are high-performance sports cars whose exceptional dynamic potential is geared squarely towards the demands of track use. At the same time, the M6 sets new benchmarks in daily driving comfort, innovative features and fuel efficiency.
In order to achieve these lofty performance goals, the new BMW M6 Coupe and Convertible share the most powerful engine ever fitted in a series-produced model from BMW M GmbH mated to a high-torque 7-speed M-Double Clutch Transmission (M-DCT). An innovative Active M Differential which optimizes power transfer between the rear wheels. This drivetrain, combined with extensive chassis and suspension upgrades ensure that the engine’s performance can be transferred to the ground.
Click here for the complete press release.
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