Bimmermedia, BMW in the News

BMW GROUP REPORTS BEST OCTOBER EVER
ALL NEW COMPETITION PACKAGE FOR 2005 M3 COUPE
BMW GROUP REPORTS STRONG MONTHLY SALES AND A SOLID
INCREASE IN SALES FOR FIRST THREE QUARTERS
BMW 5 AND 7 SERIES TAKE TOP HONORS IN 2004
J.D. POWER AND ASSOCIATES APEAL STUDY

BMW GROUP REPORTS best october ever

BMW Brand Sales Jump15.4 Percent; MINI Sales Up 3.2 Percent

Woodcliff Lake , NJ – November 3, 2004... The BMW Group (BMW and MINI brands combined) reported strong October sales of 25,807 vehicles compared to 22,685 vehicles in the same month in 2003, up 14 percent. The BMW Group also reported an increase of 7 percent in year-to-date sales, for 242,724 vehicles compared to the 226,868 sold in the same period of 2003.

BMW Brand Reports Sales

BMW of North America, LLC reported sales of 22,618 automobiles and Sports Activity Vehicles, up 15.4 percent compared to the 19,594 vehicles reported the same month last year. Year-to-date, sales of BMW brand vehicles were up 8 percent, to 213,865 vehicles compared to 198,057 vehicles sold in the same period a year ago.

BMW Automobile Sales

BMW’s automobile sales were up 7 percent, to 16,753 versus 15,683 in October of 2003. Year-to-date, sales were down 4.5 percent, to 158,692 automobiles compared to 166,099 sold in the same period in 2003.

BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Sales

Sales of BMW’s Sports Activity Vehicles jumped 50 percent last month, with sales of 5,865 vehicles compared to 3,911 vehicles sold in October of 2003. Year-to-date, sales of BMW’s SAV models were up 73 percent, to 55,173 vehicles compared to 31,958 for the same period in 2003.

Certified Pre-owned

BMW also reported its best October ever, with monthly sales of 6,121 Certified Pre-owned vehicles compared to 5,099 vehicles that month in 2003, a 20 percent increase. For the first ten months of 2004, BMW CPO sales were up 8 percent to 59,731 vehicles over 55,436 in the same period a year ago.

MINI Brand

MINI Automobiles

MINI USA reported an increase of 3.2 percent in October sales, with 3,189 MINI automobiles compared to the 3,091 sold in the same month of 2003. Year-to-date, MINI sales were nearly level, with 28,859 cars compared to 28,811 sold a year ago.

ALL NEW COMPETITION PACKAGE FOR 2005 M3 COUPE FOR THE DISCERNING DRIVER WHO WANTS THE ULTIMATE IN M3 HANDLING PERFORMANCE

WOODCLIFF LAKE , NJ , NOVERMBER 16, 2004… Already renowned for its performance and handling, the new Competition Package takes M3 performance to the razor’s edge. Every aspect of the M3’s handling has been tweaked resulting in the best handling M3 ever.

The wheels are 19-inch forged-alloy wheels with high performance tires. They connect to a suspension that has been tuned specifically for the Competition Package. Turn-in is quicker with a more direct steering ratio which goes from 15.4:1 to 14.5:1.

M track mode and brake system taken from the BMW M3 CSL

The Dynamic Stability Control system includes a less intrusive M track mode, as on the M3 CSL, to ensure that you can have the security of DSC and enjoy spirited driving too. For inclement conditions, the regular DSC mode remains. The brakes, also adapted from the M3 CSL, include compound and cross-drilled rotors. The front rotors have also been enlarged from 12.8 to 13.6 inches.

As the serious enthusiast would expect, the Competition Package is available in combination with both the standard six-speed manual and the optional Sequential Manual Gearbox.

The interior enhancements of the package are subtle but purposeful. The Alcantara steering wheel and handbrake grip feel good to the touch. The addition of the steering wheel mounted button for the DSC M track mode requires the deletion of the multi-function controls and cruise control. The Competition Package is available with all M3 Coupe interior and exterior color combinations. Two trim items are exclusive to the Competition Package. Special Competition Package aluminum trim is included on the interior. A new exterior color, Interlagos Blue, is offered only with the package.

The Competition Package will be available for 2005 M3 Coupes beginning with December 2004 production. It will make its debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The price for the package will be $4000.

BMW GROUP REPORTS STRONG MONTHLY SALES AND A SOLID
INCREASE IN SALES FOR FIRST THREE QUARTERS

Monthly BMW Brand Sales Jump 32 Percent

While MINI Sales Increase 27 Percent

Woodcliff Lake , NJ – October 1, 2004... The BMW Group (BMW and MINI brands combined) reported robust September sales of 24,684 vehicles compared to 18,828 vehicles in the same month in 2003, a jump of 31 percent. The BMW Group also reported sales of 216,917 vehicles for the first nine months, an increase of 6.2 percent over the 204,183 sold in the first three quarters of 2003.

BMW Brand Reports Sales

BMW of North America, LLC reported its sales of 21,767 automobiles and Sports Activity Vehicles, up 32 percent compared to the 16,533 vehicles reported the same month last year. For the first three quarters of 2004, sales of BMW brand vehicles were up 7.2 percent, or 191,247 vehicles compared to 178,463 vehicles sold in the same period a year ago.

BMW Automobile Sales

BMW’s automobile sales were up 13.6 percent, to 15,054 versus 13,257 in the same month a year ago. Year-to-date, sales were down 5.6 percent, to 141,939 automobiles compared to150,416 in the same period in 2003.

BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Sales

Sales of BMW’s Sports Activity Vehicles jumped 105 percent in September, with sales of 6,713 vehicles compared to 3,276 vehicles sold in the same month of 2003. Year-to-date, sales of BMW’s SAV models were up 76 percent, to 49,308 vehicles compared to 28,047 for the same period in 2003.

Certified Pre-owned

BMW also reported September sales of 5,568 Certified Pre-owned vehicles compared to 4,974 vehicles that month in 2003, a 12 percent increase. For the first three quarters of 2004, BMW CPO sales were up 6.5 percent to 53,610 vehicles over 50,337 in the same period a year ago.

MINI Brand

MINI Automobiles

MINI USA reported strong September sales, marking the first month the MINI convertible went on sale in the U.S. September sales of MINI automobiles were 2,917, up 27 percent from the 2,295 sold in the same month of 2003. Year-to-date, sales of MINI automobiles were level, with 25,670 cars compared to 25,720 sold a year ago.

BMW 5 AND 7 SERIES TAKE TOP HONORS IN 2004
J.D. POWER AND ASSOCIATES APEAL STUDY

High marks for both the Z4 Roadster and X5 SAV lead to BMW’s strong showing overall

October 15, 2004, Woodcliff Lake , NJ … The BMW 7 Series was rated the top Premium Luxury Car and the 5 Series the top Mid Luxury Car in the 2004 J.D. Power and Associates Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) study SM. The Z4 Roadster and X5 Sports Activity Vehicle posted top-three finishes in the Premium Sports Car and Entry Luxury SUV categories respectively. These strong individual performances helped propel the BMW brand to a strong overall showing.

“These results offer a strong endorsement of BMW’s newest models by the constituency that matters most – our owners,” noted Tom Purves, chairman and CEO of BMW of North America. “BMW owners are amongst the most passionate and critical in the industry. That the Z4 was the highest ranked Premium Sports Car offered by a full line manufacturer demonstrates the strength of BMW brand values.” Enhancements throughout the line for the 2005 model year will ensure BMW’s strong position in the marketplace.

The 2004 APEAL Study is based on responses from 102,951 new-vehicle owners who were surveyed during the first 90 days of ownership. The study, now in its ninth year, is based on eight categories of vehicle performance and design: engine/transmission; ride, handling and braking; heating, ventilation and cooling; comfort/convenience; seats; cockpit/instrument panel; sound system; and styling/exterior.