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BMW will make plug-in hybrid versions of all models

Late last year, BMW made it clear that it would be making plug-in hybrid versions of all of its "core models." The first of those will be the X5 xDrive40e. At the New York Auto Show this week, BMW North America CEO Ludwig Willisch told AutoblogGreen that this enhanced PHEV plan is going to be applied to "every new model." We were asking Willisch if he views Tesla as a competitor to the Bavarian automaker. "I wouldn't say I don't see any competition," Willisch said, "but I still see that a BMW 5 Series and a Tesla are totally different animals." What about the rumored i5 or an i7, we started to ask – "which we don't have" Willisch interrupted – that could happen, couldn't it? "Not any time soon," Willisch said. "What we will have are plug-in hybrids. With the introduction of every new model there will be a plug-in hybrid version of that, too." There are people who are asking if the i brand will expand to a truck or a larger sedan, "but this is all the future," Willisch said. "It's not now and it's not the next couple years." Related Video:

Autoblog Minute: Nokia to sell Here mapping for $3.1B

In a three company partnership the German automakers BMW, Audi and Daimler are set to take ownership of Nokia's Here mapping technology. Autoblog's Eddie Sabatini reports on this edition of Autoblog Minute. Show full video transcript text [00:00:00] In a battle for Nokia's highly coveted mapping technology the auto industry claims victory over Silicon Valley. I'm Eddie Sabatini and this is your Autoblog Minute. In a three company partnership the German automakers BMW, Audi and Daimler are set to take ownership of Nokia's Here mapping technology. The Wall Street Journal writes that the automakers had concerns that the technology might fall under the [00:00:30]control of companies like Google, Uber, or Apple. The purchase, worth a reported 3.1 billion dollars, is still subject to antitrust evaluation before it's finalized; but this early news is already a big win for the German three. Ownership of Nokia's Here tech means that automakers won't lose control of the information systems that go into their cars. The deal, if approved, is expected to close in first quarter of 2016. For Autoblog, I'm Eddie Sabatini. [00:01:00] Autoblog Minute Logo Autoblog Minute is a short-form video news series reporting on all things automotive. Each segment offers a quick and clear picture of what's happening in the automotive industry from the perspective of Autoblog's expert editorial staff, auto executives, and industry professionals. Audi BMW Autoblog Minute Videos Original Video

BMW expands Takata airbag recall nationwide, 140k 3 Series affected

Following the urging of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, BMW has expanded its recall of vehicles equipped with Takata airbag inflators to cover the entirety of the United States, rather than just high-humidity areas. That means there are about 140,000 owners of 2004 to 2006 model year BMW 3 Series coupes, convertibles, sedans and wagons (that means owners of both E46 and E90 3ers should take note). It's unclear if this recall includes the high-performance M3 Coupe and Convertible. With the expansion of its airbag recall, BMW joins Honda, Mazda, Ford and Fiat Chrysler in moving from a regional to a nationwide recall of vehicles equipped with Takata airbags. According to Reuters, BMW claims none of its vehicles have been subject to the potentially harmful airbag deployments.