The first batch of BMW 1-series and M3 cars destined for the United States was among 120 vehicles damaged on a ship last week while on their way from Europe.
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BMW of North America told Automotive News the cars were on a container ship headed for the Port Newark-Elizabeth Marine Terminal in New Jersey when the ship hit rough water on the North Sea on 11 January. The vehicles apparently came loose, bounced around and crashed into others.
A BMW spokesman told Automotive News that, of the 470 vehicles on board, 120 were damaged beyond repair and will have to be scrapped while the others will be repaired.
According to the report, BMW also said it is counting how many 1-series and M3 cars will have to be scrapped and whether this will affect a dealer launch scheduled for February, as well as dealers’ initial supply – both models are due on sale in the US in March.
Postings on enthusiast web sites said some of the damaged cars had tourist delivery plates suggesting their owners had collected them in Europe and driven them there on holiday, before they were shipped home to the US.
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