BMW to make a big announcement in AUstin (2014, city hall)

[Kosmonaut]

Green Tech maybe. I bet it's jobs. WHat part of town you guys think it's happeneing?

[hound 109]

Link?

First I've heard anything about this. (Cheaper land Southeast? Near the F-1 track?)


Edit: Never mind....doesn't look like a "plant". From the Austin Business Journal today:

The city of Austin and BMW Austin representatives will come together at City Hall today to make a "major" announcement about the Austin economy, according to a release from the city.

In attendance at the 10 a.m. press conference will be most of the city's media outlets, but also one of the new BMW i3s, the company's newest fully electric car. The car starts at car starts at $41,350 and is aimed at the luxury market.

Details of the announcement are closely guarded. We're relatively sure part of the announcement will be about the new i3 line being rolled out in Austin, but there's likely a more significant economic element to be unveiled.

Launching the i3 in Austin would make sense for BMW because of Austin's reputation for adopting environmentally friendly technology. The city and Austin Energy have also worked together to install more than 160 electric charging stations throughout the city, which could make Austin an attractive place to launch an electric car line.

As for a second part of the announcement, we're hoping it will bring more jobs to the city. Recently, other car makers have opened outposts in Austin because of our technological know-how. General Motors Company Inc. made the biggest splash when it brought 500 jobs to the city.

Be sure to check back in with us after 10 a.m. for the latest coverage of what BMW has in store for Austin. You can also catch the news on our new and free TechFlash email by signing up here.

[Kosmonaut]

Wherever it lands, property values are going to shoot through the roof.

[atxcio]

Appears to be streaming live on the city web site. They are talking about the electric i3, but not sure what the announcement was about:

Communications and Public Information Office - Channel 6 - AustinTexas.gov

[austinnerd]

So an i3 showroom downtown. Maybe it's just me, but while that's cool, it's not exactly earth moving (like having the plant that does final assembly here in Austin for instance). IMHO, if they are going to be showcasing the car here in Austin, the most obvious thing to do would be to allow test drives at COTA, now that'd be something. Develop an iM3 (or an Mi3 or an m3) and allow COTA drives, now that'd be awesome.

[hound 109]

Originally Posted by austinnerd

So an i3 showroom downtown. Maybe it's just me, but while that's cool, it's not exactly earth moving (like having the plant that does final assembly here in Austin for instance). IMHO, if they are going to be showcasing the car here in Austin, the most obvious thing to do would be to allow test drives at COTA, now that'd be something. Develop an iM3 (or an Mi3 or an m3) and allow COTA drives, now that'd be awesome.

Agreed.

In fact I'd rather the city would designate a street for "muscle cars only" than brag about putting in a free electric car charging station on some street.
.

[centralaustinite]

Yes, an i3 showroom is pretty underwhelming! ah well . . .

[sxrckr]

Blah... oh well.

[pmiranda]

I could be wrong but this might make Austin one of the few (only?) areas outside of California where you can get an i3, which is a big deal if you're a fan of BMW and/or electric cars. The folks that have gotten them in CA like them alot.
If I were them I would not try to showcase it at COTA, at least not on the long course since the long straights will suck that battery dry in no time. Of course, if they have a fleet there so they can have 2 or 3 charging for every one on track, that would be fun.

[atxcio]

We've become to used too "Big" announcements actually being something big... Apple, Google Fiber, X Games, F1, etc.