BMW 3 Series Declared 2006 'World Car of the Year'

WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J., April 13 /PRNewswire/ -- The BMW 3 Series was
voted the 2006 "World Car of the Year." The multiple-award winning
2006 BMW 3 Series received its latest kudos in an awards ceremony held
in conjunction with the New York International Automobile Show.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060413/NYTH082 )

"World Car of the Year" awards are voted on by an independent panel of
automotive journalists from all around the globe. From an initial
field of 27 contenders, the 2006 3 Series was selected as one of three
finalists before being declared this year's winner. "World Car of the
Year" contenders must be available in most markets of the world and
are judged on style, performance, handling, comfort and utility.
Entrants were also judged for value, safety, environmental
responsibility and significance.

Driving enthusiasts around the world have considered the BMW 3 Series
to be an icon for its unique combination of these attributes. It is
the quintessential luxury sports sedan. It is now available with
xDrive all-wheel drive in two Sedans and one Sports Wagon model in the
US. The aluminum/magnesium inline six-cylinder engine with Valvetronic
technology reduces weight while at the same time improving both
performance and fuel efficiency. The advanced Dynamic Stability
Control system includes features such as Brake Drying, Brake Standby
Brake Fade Compensation, Start-off Assistant, and Comfort Stop. The
outstanding value of the BMW Series is enhanced by outstanding
residual values and free scheduled maintenance for four years or
50,000 miles.

"We are delighted to receive this recognition for the 3 Series," said
Tom Purves, Chairman and CEO of BMW of North America. "The BMW 3
Series is the true embodiment of a world car. Designed and engineered
in Germany, it is built on two continents and sold in approximately
140 markets worldwide. It is available in four different body styles,
everything from a Sedan and Sports Wagon to a Coupe and Convertible.
It is available with a wide variety of engines ranging from
four-cylinder diesels to high performance six-cylinders."

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 Roadster and X5 Sports Activity
Vehicles. The BMW Group sales organization is represented in the U.S.
through networks of 339 BMW passenger car centers, 334 BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle centers, 143 BMW motorcycle retailers, 80 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.

Information about BMW Group products is available to consumers via the
Internet at:

http://www.bmwgroupna.com

http://www.bmwusa.com

http://www.bmwmotorradusa.com

http://www.miniusa.com

http://www.rolls-roycemotorcars.com SOURCE BMW of North America, LLC