BMW Wins Two 2008 Brand Image Awards from Kelley Blue Book

Awards Honor Top New-Auto Brands Based on Consumer Perception Data from KBB Marketing Research

Woodcliff Lake, NJ, March 20, 2008 -- Amidst the various festivities taking place during the 2008 New York International Auto Show, Kelley Blue Book (kbb.com) -- the leading provider of new- and used-vehicle information -- announced last night that BMW was the winner of two 2008 Kelley Blue Book Brand Image Awards. Richard Brekus, General Manager, Product Planning & Strategy, BMWNA, accepted the awards on behalf of the German automaker at the gala event held last evening.

"It is an honor to be the recipient of two Kelley Blue Book Brand Image Awards," said Mr. Brekus. "From the iconic 'kidney-shaped grill' to the 'Hofmeister Kink' BMW designers work hard to consistently create refreshing designs that are new, yet retain the classic elements, luxury and style that consumers expect from BMW."

The Kelley Blue Book Brand Image Awards recognize automakers' outstanding achievements in creating and maintaining brand attributes that capture the attention and enthusiasm of the new-vehicle buying public. BMW won its awards in the categories of Best Overall Exterior Design; and Best Exterior Design: Luxury Sedan/Coupe/Hatchback.

The 2008 Brand Image Awards are based on consumer automotive perception data from Kelley Blue Book Marketing Research's Brand Watch study. Brand Watch is an online brand perception tracking study tapping into 12,000+ in-market new-vehicle shoppers annually on kbb.com. The highly comprehensive Brand Watch report provides a detailed look at in-market new-vehicle shoppers' perceptions of brands, and important factors driving their purchase decisions while they are in the midst of the shopping process. The results of an entire year of Brand Watch research and consumer opinions determine the 2008 Kelley Blue Book Brand Image Awards winners.

"'The Ultimate Driving Machine' doesn't simply apply to BMW's mechanical prowess; it also applies to the brand's exterior design language," said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book and kbb.com. "There is a striking family resemblance among the vehicles yet each is unique - a difficult feat to pull off, but, in the consumers' eyes, a very valuable one."

BMW Group in America
BMW of North America, LLC has been present in the United States since 1975. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars NA, LLC began distributing vehicles in 2003. The BMW Group in the United States has grown to include marketing, sales, and financial service organizations for the BMW brand, the MINI brand, and the Rolls-Royce brand of Motor Cars; DesignworksUSA, an industrial design firm in California; a technology office in Silicon Valley and various other operations throughout the country. BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC in South Carolina is part of BMW Group's global manufacturing network and is the exclusive manufacturing plant for all Z4 models and X5 Sports Activity Vehicles and the upcoming X6 Sports Activity Coupe. The BMW Group sales organization is represented in the U.S. through networks of 338 BMW passenger car centers, 335 BMW Sports Activity Vehicle centers, 142 BMW motorcycle retailers, 82 MINI passenger car dealers, and 30 Rolls-Royce Motor Car dealers. BMW (US) Holding Corp., the BMW Group's sales headquarters for North, Central and South America, is located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.

Source: BMW Group