How do X6's get from plant to west coast ?

[dmlgc]

I know this sounds strange but the dealer emailed me today that my 50i was at the port in Los Angeles going through inspections (and that I might get early delivery on it ,was due 19th of August). This just doesn't make any sense , doesn't BMW just put these on a truck and ship it across the country ?

[chuck92103]

Originally Posted by dmlgc

I know this sounds strange but the dealer emailed me today that my 50i was at the port in Los Angeles going through inspections (and that I might get early delivery on it ,was due 19th of August). This just doesn't make any sense , doesn't BMW just put these on a truck and ship it across the country ?

Yes. But they have to stage the vehicle somewhere prior to going to delivery center and then on to the dealer. I guess it is easier to have imported and domestic vehicles all go to the same place logistically.

[shenard]

Originally Posted by dmlgc

I know this sounds strange but the dealer emailed me today that my 50i was at the port in Los Angeles going through inspections (and that I might get early delivery on it ,was due 19th of August). This just doesn't make any sense , doesn't BMW just put these on a truck and ship it across the country ?

Sounds very strange. Maybe you guys have more stringent tests related to emissions that have to be passed before you get to accept deliver. My X6 was shipped from plant last Friday and was at my dealer on Tuesday. You are going to love it. It is an absolute beast and the exhaust sound is to die for! Too bad MPG completely sucks so far 11.5mpg!

[dmlgc]

Originally Posted by shenard

Sounds very strange. Maybe you guys have more stringent tests related to emissions that have to be passed before you get to accept deliver. My X6 was shipped from plant last Friday and was at my dealer on Tuesday. You are going to love it. It is an absolute beast and the exhaust sound is to die for! Too bad MPG completely sucks so far 11.5mpg!

I figured most cars were made for 50 state emissions these days.
Could be as chuck stated all cars coming into Calif go to one spot, then get distributed. I have seen the port in LA and there are miles of parking lots of new cars, most just off the ship.

[shenard]

Originally Posted by dmlgc

I figured most cars were made for 50 state emissions these days.
Could be as chuck stated all cars coming into Calif go to one spot, then get distributed. I have seen the port in LA and there are miles of parking lots of new cars, most just off the ship.

Could be but I am sure that it did not go to port of Charleston and arrive by boat. Doesn't make sense that it would go from truck to LA port and then be offloaded and have to wait for a different truck to get to your dealer.

[chuck92103]

Originally Posted by shenard

Could be but I am sure that it did not go to port of Charleston and arrive by boat. Doesn't make sense that it would go from truck to LA port and then be offloaded and have to wait for a different truck to get to your dealer.

The port is large with lots of companies around it. I am sure the BMW VPC is near by and the delaer meant it was at the VPC and not the port.

After a car is built it never goes directly to the dealer. It gets processed, checked out for damage, emissions updates if needed, etc.

[shenard]

Originally Posted by chuck92103

The port is large with lots of companies around it. I am sure the BMW VPC is near by and the delaer meant it was at the VPC and not the port.

After a car is built it never goes directly to the dealer. It gets processed, checked out for damage, emissions updates if needed, etc.

Yes, but this is usually done at Vehicle Performance Center which is in Spartanburg, SC not CA to my knowledge. Not sure why it would make an additional stop to somewhere else other than customer's dealer once it leaves South Carolina.

[chuck92103]

Originally Posted by shenard

Yes, but this is usually done at Vehicle Performance Center which is in Spartanburg, SC not CA to my knowledge. Not sure why it would make an additional stop to somewhere else other than customer's dealer once it leaves South Carolina.

SC delivery center is for east coast deliveries. Since most BMW's are sold in CA, I doubt SC could handle the volume.

[shenard]

Originally Posted by chuck92103

SC delivery center is for east coast deliveries. Since most BMW's are sold in CA, I doubt SC could handle the volume.

Makes sense. You are probably right.

[chuck92103]

Originally Posted by shenard

Makes sense. You are probably right.

I think BMWNA is just a holding company. They do not make cars. So the dealer orders them from BMWNA, who orders them from BMW Corporate in Germany. Germany has SC build the car. Then when complete it is sent to one of BMWNA delivery centers. BMWNA acknowledges receipt, does inspections and in turn sells the car to the dealer.

I see BMWNA as being more a distributor than a car company. I don't know of any car company that does not use distributors in between the dealer and factory.

[Palbay]

Originally Posted by chuck92103

I think BMWNA is just a holding company. They do not make cars. So the dealer orders them from BMWNA, who orders them from BMW Corporate in Germany. Germany has SC build the car. Then when complete it is sent to one of BMWNA delivery centers. BMWNA acknowledges receipt, does inspections and in turn sells the car to the dealer.

I see BMWNA as being more a distributor than a car company. I don't know of any car company that does not use distributors in between the dealer and factory.

BMWNA is a distributor for BMW AG. BMWNA has 3 US Vehicle Preparation Centers: East Coast- The SC BMW Plant and Port Jersey,NJ and West Coast-Port Hueneme in Oxnard CA.All three VPC are primarily for inbound ship transported vehicles headed to the US from overseas BMW Plants.The VPC's are used to clean the cars from their shipping trip-3,5,6 and 7 Series are coated w/ a heavy wax that must be removed,any shipping damage is repaired,US EPA stickers attached,US Warranty Manuals added,and software installed ( speed governor).About a two day process on average for a "sold car".They are then shipped to the respective dealer.My guess....all SC produced vehicles are shipped directly to the dealer.....since the VPC process is rolled into the intial production timeline.I'm not sure why a Westcoast bound X6 would go to the Port Hueneme VPC first and not directly to the dealer??? All SC produced BMW vehicles for overseas export are shipped out via the Port of Charleston,SC. Thanks! PalBay

[chuck92103]

Originally Posted by Palbay

BMWNA is a distributor for BMW AG. BMWNA has 3 US Vehicle Preparation Centers: East Coast- The SC BMW Plant and Port Jersey,NJ and West Coast-Port Hueneme in Oxnard CA.All three VPC are primarily for inbound ship transported vehicles headed to the US from overseas BMW Plants.The VPC's are used to clean the cars from their shipping trip-3,5,6 and 7 Series are coated w/ a heavy wax that must be removed,any shipping damage is repaired,US EPA stickers attached,US Warranty Manuals added,and software installed ( speed governor).About a two day process on average for a "sold car".They are then shipped to the respective dealer.My guess....all SC produced vehicles are shipped directly to the dealer.....since the VPC process is rolled into the intial production timeline.I'm not sure why a Westcoast bound X6 would go to the Port Hueneme VPC first and not directly to the dealer??? All SC produced BMW vehicles for overseas export are shipped out via the Port of Charleston,SC. Thanks! PalBay

Maybe they get backed up and use Port Hueneme as overflow somtimes?

[BMW50X62K8]

Wondering what kind of crazy trip my military sales X6 50i will have? Just got the word from my dealer that she's built and now in "transit" ???

Can't wait for these last few weeks to pass and get this baby broken-in on these autobahn's

While she will be just a weekend driver - I am almost certain the compulsory 1200 mile break-in will happen within the first month of owning

I will update with pics and mpg info - anyone getting one of these should have plenty of fun

[dmlgc]

Thanks folks the answers make sense. I was at work and the email just caught me off guard. My wife says I too literal, "sometimes painfully so".

[LeMansM5]

Originally Posted by chuck92103

SC delivery center is for east coast deliveries. Since most BMW's are sold in CA, I doubt SC could handle the volume.

There is another port in New Jersey where BMW has there VPC for east coast.

BMWs from Europe also go there.

remember this

[dmlgc]

Just received email from the dealer , my 50i is in .
I will be going tomorrow to pick it up.
So it was at LA port on Friday and here today.

I will post pictures as soon as I can.

[Palbay]

Originally Posted by dmlgc

Just received email from the dealer , my 50i is in .
I will be going tomorrow to pick it up.
So it was at LA port on Friday and here today.

I will post pictures as soon as I can.

Awesome news...I'm happy for you.Can't wait to see the pics! Thanks. PalBay

[Anteater]

Fantastic - you may not sleep so well tonight!

Look forward to seeing the pics!
Cheers, Anteater.