I wanted to break this out separately from the thread about my tour of theVehicle Distribution Center.

While I was at the VDC, I was told that BMW is going to be changing shipping companies for transport of vehicle made in Europe (Germany/England) and bound for the Port Hueneme VDC (servicing the Western U.S.). This change is being made to have cars made in Europe be shipped to the Port Hueneme VDC without stopping along the East Coast.

Currently the shipping route picks up the cars in Germany and England and then takes them down the East Coast of the U.S. (stopping in Nova Scotia, Baltimore, New York, South Carolina) before heading to the Panama canal. The stops along the East Coast can add 1 to 2 weeks to the voyage.

Thus, the expected shipping time for your MINI should be getting shorter in the near future.

Dave

 

That's good news as I expect my MSC (BRG/B) to be out of production the first week of February and the wait is killing me!

Arrggg!

emerika

 

I think taking one or two weeks off the ship time is good for the dealer and the customer. also maybe they can ship a "boat load" to the west coast in one trip.

Earl

 

My Cooper built in March 2003 made the voyage directly from Europe to the Port Hueneme VDC. I checked the Wallenius Wilhelmsen shipping company web site when my MINI was being shipped to verify. I guess some ships go direct and others stop enroute. Below is a copy of the schedule back in April-May 2003.

GOTHENBURG SWEDEN 06/04/2003 07/04/2003
BREMERHAVEN GERMANY 08/04/2003 09/04/2003
ZEEBRUGGE BELGIUM 10/04/2003 11/04/2003
SOUTHAMPTON U.K. 11/04/2003 12/04/2003
PORT HUENEME, CA U.S.A. 01/05/2003 02/05/2003