Mobility

SHERIDAN, WYOMING – March 4, 2025 – SHERIDAN, WYOMING – Mar. 4, 2025 – Shortly after taking over U.S. sales of BMW automobiles from independent distributor Max Hoffman in 1975, BMW of North America initiated the process to do the same for the motorcycle side of the business. This move marked a significant shift in BMW Motorrad's distribution and sales strategy in the United States.

The Legacy of Butler & Smith

BMW had been exporting motorcycles to the U.S. since 1950. Initially, dealers ordered bikes directly, with Oscar Liebmann's AMOL Precision becoming the first official BMW motorcycle dealer in the U.S. in 1950. Later, distribution rights were assigned to the V. Harasty organization and then, in 1954, to the Butler & Smith Trading Company.

SHERIDAN, WYOMING – March 2, 2025 – SHERIDAN, WYOMING – Mar 2, 2025 – FIAT continues to shine brightly in the automotive world, receiving the prestigious “Top Brand Desire Award” from the esteemed German magazine “Automobilwoche.” This accolade was presented during the “Car Loyalty Awards” at the “Automobilwoche Conference 2025,” held in the impressive setting of Motorworld Munich.

FIAT's Dominance in the German Market

During 2024, FIAT achieved remarkable success in the German car market, attracting more new customers than any other brand in its field. According to a detailed analysis conducted by market specialists at Dataforce, utilizing official figures from the German Federal Motor Transport Authority (Kraftfahrtbundesamt KBA), FIAT was the preferred choice for the highest number of customers who previously owned a different brand. This significant achievement underscores FIAT’s growing appeal and market penetration in Germany.

SHERIDAN, WYOMING – March 2, 2025 – SHERIDAN, WYOMING – Mar 2, 2025 – Alfa Romeo continues its winning streak, securing triple victories in the prestigious "Best Cars" competitions organized by German magazine “auto motor und sport” and Swiss magazine “Auto Illustrierte.” This remarkable achievement reaffirms the brand’s enduring appeal and superior design among European car enthusiasts.

German Readers Crown Alfa Romeo Champions

The 49th edition of the "Best Cars" competition, hosted by the esteemed Stuttgart-based automotive magazine “auto motor und sport,” witnessed over 94,000 readers casting their votes. From a record-breaking 462 candidates, divided into 13 categories with separate rankings for imported brands, Alfa Romeo emerged victorious in three key segments.

Alfa Romeo Giulia: A Midsize Import Icon

SHERIDAN, WYOMING – March 2, 2025 – SHERIDAN, WYOMING – Mar. 2, 2025 – The ongoing collaboration between Jeep® and The North Face is deepening, as the two iconic brands are set to unite their respective communities in a celebration of exploration, nature, and freedom. This initiative builds on the successful launch of the Jeep® Avenger 4xe The North Face Edition in October 2024, further solidifying their shared values and commitment to adventure.

Reinforcing a Shared Vision

SHERIDAN, WYOMING – February 28, 2025 – SHERIDAN, WYOMING – Feb. 28, 2025 – Kicking off today in Italy, the exciting international roadshow dedicated to the new INTENSA special series, due to visit many other European markets one by one. Available in all Alfa Romeo models, the new edition pays homage to the brand’s identity through exclusive features and details that, combined with the best technological solutions, offer a unique and engaging driving experience. Offered across the entire range of engines, the new special series is positioned at the top of the range and is the first to involve the new Junior, for which orders in Italy are opening in April.

Celebrating Alfa Romeo’s Heritage with INTENSA

SHERIDAN, WYOMING – February 28, 2025 – SHERIDAN, WYOMING – Feb. 28, 2025 – Tier IV, a pioneer in open-source autonomous driving software, has successfully concluded a series of robotaxi service pilot tests across Tokyo, Japan. These tests, conducted in Odaiba in November 2024 and Nishi-Shinjuku in December 2024, mark a crucial step towards the commercialization of robotaxi services and their integration into Japan’s transportation infrastructure.

Strategic Testing and Adaptation

The pilot tests were designed to demonstrate the feasibility of introducing robotaxis by adapting and expanding existing operational design domains (ODDs) to accommodate diverse and challenging traffic environments. These in-depth technical verifications were crucial for the broader deployment of robotaxis.

SHERIDAN, WYOMING – February 28, 2025 – SHERIDAN, WYOMING – Feb. 28, 2025 – Royal Schiphol Group, in collaboration with KLM, is spearheading a new era of baggage handling with the deployment of Aurrigo International’s innovative Auto-DollyTug. This self-driving baggage vehicle aims to optimize the separation of passenger baggage with long transfer times, addressing the challenges of high-volume baggage processing.

Addressing Peak Baggage Handling Challenges

SHERIDAN, WYOMING – February 27, 2025 – SHERIDAN, WYOMING – Feb. 27, 2025 – When BMW of North America took over from Max Hoffman on March 15, 1975, it inherited the dealer and distribution network that Hoffman had been building since 1962. Hoffman’s dealer directory of April 1967 listed 129 BMW dealerships and six independent distributors in charge of specific geographical territories. Though the network covered the entire US, dealerships were concentrated in the Northeast and on the West Coast: New York had 23 BMW dealerships, California 24. Vast areas of the country were entirely unrepresented; Texas, for example, had no dealerships at all.

Early Expansion and Challenges Under Hoffman

SHERIDAN, WYOMING – February 27, 2025 – SHERIDAN, WYOMING – Feb. 27, 2025 – Audi is set to streamline its transformation efforts by consolidating key functions into a new department, “Transformation, Consulting, and Organization,” effective March 1, 2025. This strategic move aims to enhance the company’s competitiveness and accelerate its future readiness in an increasingly challenging market.

Organizational Restructuring for Enhanced Efficiency

SHERIDAN, WYOMING – February 27, 2025 – SHERIDAN, WYOMING – Feb. 27, 2025 – Hyundai has once again made waves in the electric vehicle (EV) performance arena, setting a new lap record at the prestigious ‘Attack Tsukuba 2025’ motorsport event in Japan. Held on February 15th, the event witnessed Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 N TA (Time Attack) Spec achieving an unprecedented feat, solidifying its position as a leader in high-performance EVs.

Record-Breaking Performance at Tsukuba

Hyundai N entered the event with the Ioniq 5 N TA Spec, piloted by the renowned Japanese professional driver, Nobuteru Taniguchi. The Ioniq 5 N TA Spec, a motorsport variant of the Ioniq 5 N, has already proven its mettle by securing victory at the 2024 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC) in the modified production electric SUV category, establishing a new record in the process.

Minimal Modifications, Maximum Impact