In any case, here’s a video for you to enjoy:

When the next BMW X3 crossover is released for sale, it will include an option for special brackets to be installed on the backs of the front seats, so that passengers in the rear seats can watch movies, play games, surf the Net, or just read on their Apple iPads, all without having to actually hold them in their hands. Even better? These brackets are significantly less expensive than the cost of installing an actual back seat entertainment screen.

BMW says they’ll be showing off the system at the Paris Motor Show that starts on October 2nd.

Do we really need to add that the actual iPads are NOT included?

According to Audi sales chief Peter Schwarzenbauer, Audi is increasing production of the A1 to meet greater demand. The car, which was originally meant only for the European market, will be offered globally (except for China and the United States) in 2011. Schwarzenbauer added that this smallest of Audi’s models will be available in China sometime after 2011, but that it wouldn’t be available to U.S. consumers until the model’s second generation “at the earliest.”

The Audi A1, which is designed to compete with BMW AG’s 1-series and Daimler AG’s Mercedes-Benz A-class, will go on sale this Friday, August 27th, and – at least in Germany – the base price will be 15,800 euros.

Schwarzenbauer said that it was interest generated from the Audi A1′s website that spurred the plan to expand sales of the car. In an interview on Tuesday, he said, “We will expand our production capacities by 20 percent” for the A1. The original production plan was for only 100,000 A1s per year, all coming from the company’s factory in Brussels.

Audi, which could set a record sales goal of more than 1.08 million cars and SUVs this year, has set its sights on dethroning BMW as the world’s largest luxury carmaker by 2015, when it wants to reach annual sales of 1.5 million vehicles.

All of the German big three automakers, Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz, have seen increased sales this years, thanks to greater demand in China, the largest car market in the world, and a rebound in the United States.

First, Subaru has issued a recall of more than 800 of the 2010-2011 Outback and Legacy models with six-speed manual transmissions.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the recall was triggered by a manufacturing error. Apparently some of the manual transmissions on the affected models are missing a lubrication hole in the transfer case. Without proper lubrication of the gears, eventually, breakage will occur, which will lead to power loss, and even cause the car to crash. The recall affects models built between April 28th and June 23rd.

Beginning August 6th, Subaru dealers and owners can get their vehicles repaired. Either the dealer will drill the lubrication hole, or certain gears will be replaced at no charge.

For more information, Subaru can be contacted toll-free at 800-782-2783.

BMW has also issued a recall, for roughly 6,100 2010 and 2011 5 Series Grand Turismos, in this case for a fuel sensor that may be faulty. The sensor has a lever that may become wedged against the fuel tank, resulting in incorrect fuel readings on the instrument cluster.

Specifically, the fuel gauge in the dashboard could display a greater amount of fuel than is actually in the tank. An empty tank could result in the vehicle stalling, or increase the likelihood of an accident.

Affected vehicles were built between January 12th and July 1st.

No fix or notification date has been provided to the NHTSA, but BMW can be contacted by phone at 800-525-7417.

The NHTSA also has a general hotline for recall information: 888-327-4236.

The firm has increased its forecast by about 10 percent, and now says it expects to sell more than 1.4 million vehicles this year.

A spokesperson from BMW explained, “Based on this much improved outlook, the BMW group expects full-year profit before tax to rise more sharply than previously forecast.” This translates to a profit estimate of more than five percent from core automaking activities.

Source: The Age

GM’s Opel unit, along with BMW is testing a system in Eurpope that can read the information from traffic signs, and send that data directly to the person behind the wheel. The driver would be informed about the current speed limit for the road, as well as other warning signs, according to Jim Federico, chief of GM’s midsize cars lineup. As any traffic cop will tell you, it’s the oldest excuse in the world: “Officer, I didn’t see the sign.” Whether true or not, General Motors has a technology on the horizon that could end the excuse — and save some lives.

GM’s Opel unit, along with BMW, is trying out a system in Europe that can read traffic signs and relay the information directly to drivers in the car. It tells drivers the speed limit on any road, and informs them of other warning signs as well, says Jim Federico, GM’s chief of its midsize cars lineup. It sounds pretty cool, but DriveOn’s Chris Woodyard says the system still has some kinks – specifically, it’s having issues reading digital signs, but as drivers in the European test market bring their vehicles in for service, the system can be upgraded with better sign recognition software.

This technology will eventually be introduced here in the United States, but timing hasn’t been nailed down yet.

While stranded passengers are beginning to move, both companies are claiming that the volcano, which grounded almost all flights in and out of Europe, has forced reductions in production, even for the American market. Due to the nature of the delays, Nissan isn’t sure how long production will be reduced, but a spokesperson for the automaker said that even one day will cause a 2,000 unit setback.

BMW is facing similar delays, and has halted production at its plants in Dingolfing (which produces 5- and 7-series sedans) and the Munich and Regensburg plants (which produce the 3-series and 1-series and Z4, respectively), but hopes to resume normal workflow by April 23rd. The Bavarian automaker is expecting a 7.000 unit shortage.

The ground-stop of air freight has caused a delay in electronics and interior components, BMW adds.

According to Left Lane News, BMW may also have to idle their plant in Spartanburg, SC plant, though if trans-Atlantic flights resume, they may be able to keep that site open and functioning.

Automotive News reported over the weekend that Research In Motion Ltd. (RIM), the company that makes BlackBerry phones has agreed to the aquisition of QNX Software Systems from Harman International Industries, Inc. Why are they doing this? It’s to gain access to technology for wireless connections in cars.

The tech that RIM will gain will specifically aid Acura, Audi, and BMW cars with connections to cell phones, navigation systems, and music players. RIM is expanding into new markets, in an attempt to offset slowing sales growth and decreasing prices, as well as the heavy competition from Apple, Inc.’s iPhone and Google’s DROID systems.

RIM has not disclosed the terms of the deal, but the Waterloo, Ontario, Canada-based company expects the deal to close in mid-to-late May. QNX’s current owner, Harman, bought the software company in 2004 for $138 million in cash, and also assumed some debt.

Wired Magazine’s automotive blog Autopia reports that Carbon Motors is moving into a new automotive niche. Specifically, they’re going to be making police cars, and for the cruiser they’re rolling out in 2012, they engine they’ve chosen is – wait for it – a BMW diesel.

The cop cruiser, codenamed E7, has been designed exclusively and specifically for law enforcement use. From the doors and bodywork, to the lights, to the engine, the company has examined all the needs that a police car must fill, and designed a vehicle to answer those needs. It is that research which has led the company to select BMW as their engine supplier, with more than 240,000 diesel engines and gearboxes to be provided.

Why choose BMW engines? Durability, reliability and efficiency are all key factors. In fact, police departments that adopt the E7 stand so save a significant amount of money. Many estimates say that 1.5 billion gallions of gas are used, and 14 million tons of CO2 emitted by cop cars each year. The use of diesel engines, according to BMW, could cut fuel consumption by 40% and reduce carbon emissions by 30%.

In a statement to the press, Carbon Motors chairman and CEO William Santana Li said, “The strength of BMW as a partner will allow us to provide our women and men in uniform with a diesel engine capable of the performance they desire along with the significant reduction in fuel consumption and emissions that U.S. taxpayers need.”