Chosen from 11 participants invited to the September 29 - 30 qualifying shoot-out held at the Formula BMW Racing Center at the Circuit de la Comunitat Valenciana Ricardo Tormo, in Valencia, Spain these young men join an exclusive group of Formula BMW Americas Juniors. Since its inaugural 2004 season, Formula BMW Americas has awarded 24 Formula BMW Junior scholarships and in each year a Formula BMW Junior has figured at the top of the results. 2004 - Rookie Champion - James Hinchcliffe; 2005 - Overall and Rookie Champion - Richard Phillippe; 2006 - Overall Champion - Robert Wickens; 2007 Overall Champion - Daniel Morad.

The 2008 Formula BMW Americas Championship will conclude along with the Formula One World Championship at the Brazilian Grand Prix on Nov. 2. Alexander Rossi wrapped up the Overall Championship with a win in Round 14. The final two Rounds will determine the winner of this year’s Rookie championship and recipient of the remaining Junior scholarship. The battle is a close one with four drivers, Gianmarco Raimondo, Mikael Grenier, Alexandre Ruiz (all three Formula BMW Juniors) and Giancarlo Vilarinho separated by only 12 points.

Background:

Formula BMW is the world’s leading entry-level series in formula racing. In 2008 the three Formula BMW series - Formula BMW Europe, Formula BMW Pacific and Formula BMW Americas - will be held in the key motor sport markets of Europe, Japan-Asia and North and South America. The end of the year will see the Formula BMW World Final staged for the fourth time, this time at Mexico City’s "Autódromo
Hermanos Rodríguez" from the 5th to the 7th December. The winner will be granted the opportunity of a test drive with the BMW Sauber F1 Team. Formula BMW will be held on the undercard of Formula One on 12 occasions. The series gives young racing talents the chance to enter professional motor sport in a safe racing car - the Formula BMW FB02.

The FB02 has been in use since season 2002. It is powered by a 140 hp BMW engine that takes it to a top speed of up to 230 km/h. It ranks among the safest vehicles in its category and exceeds the FIA safety regulations that govern this class of car. Innovations such as the FORS (Formula Rescue Seat) were developed by BMW Motorsport specifically for Formula BMW. Following Formula One, Formula BMW was the first single-seater series outside the US in which the HANS system was made mandatory.

Formula BMW drivers have the opportunity to take part in an Education and Coaching Program that runs parallel with the racing season. The program includes driver coaching at the races by professional race drivers, attending a Formula One test, fitness courses, tuition in driving technique and strategy, as well as seminars on sponsoring and sport management.

Among the 20 team drivers in this season’s Formula One, there are now four Formula BMW graduates: Nico Rosberg, Adrian Sutil, Sebastian Vettel and Timo Glock. The test and reserve drivers add three more to the tally, namely Christian Klien, Sebastien Buemi and Nicolas Hülkenberg.

In the words of BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen: "With our worldwide Formula BMW concept, we offer drivers and teams a platform which, in this format, is unprecedented in a junior series and which allows them to benefit from our Formula One involvement. Through Formula BMW the drivers are equipped with the tools they need to assert themselves successfully in the world of professional motor racing."

Weather: Dry but overcast, Air: 16-17°C, Track: 21-22°C

Robert Kubica: 2nd
BMW Sauber F1.08-05 / BMW P86/8
Fastest Lap: 1:19.292 min on lap 16 (7th fastest overall)
“My start was good but the clutch slipped a little, therefore Jarno Trulli was able to pass me on the straight. I then decided to take the inside line and braked very late, too late actually and I locked the front wheels. But then everybody went wide while I was more or less able to keep my line, and after the second corner I was in front. I then tried to pull away, but I couldn’t. My tyres were graining and I lost time, particularly in the last sector. I was pushing as hard as I could, but after the pit stop, Fernando Alonso was in front of me and I was not able to match his pace. At the beginning of the final stint the tyres were graining heavily and my lap times were slow, so I came under strong pressure from Kimi Räikkönen and we had a great fight. At one point he was beside me in corner two, but I was on the inside, just didn’t back off and was able to keep him behind. After a few laps the graining went away and I was able to run at my normal pace. It’s a great result for the whole team at a time when it is not easy. We have been struggling a little bit recently and we were under pressure from some teams, so this second place is a real boost for our morale. Now we have nothing to lose, but everything is possible.”

Nick Heidfeld: 10th
BMW Sauber F1.08-07 / BMW P86/8
Fastest Lap: 1:19.461 min on lap 67 (8th fastest overall)
“Compared to the Williams cars in front of me, my start was okay, but the Hondas behind got off the grid even better. There was an awful lot of traffic in the first corner and I was lucky to get through all the hassle. For me the nicest moment of the race was certainly when I managed to overtake two cars at the same time on lap four. I was on a one stop strategy and, as well as that, the second last one-stopper to pit. It was not easy to handle the heavy car. Now I’m looking forward to next weekend’s race in Shanghai where we should do better in qualifying.“

Mario Theissen (BMW Motorsport Director):
“This was a really strong performance from Robert. In the first corner chaos after the start he took the lead. Later in the race he had to let Fernando Alonso go, but defended successfully against Kimi Räikkönen. It was our team’s eleventh podium of the season, and Robert has now been on the podium seven times in 2008. Nick also did a good job by improving from 16th to tenth, but couldn’t score points today. We are now looking forward to exciting final races in China and Brazil.”

Willy Rampf (Technical Director):
”Contrary to all the prophecies, this was an exciting race. Robert had the best result at the start as he managed to take the lead, thanks to a little bit of luck and lots of guts. He was in the lead until the first pit stops, but after that we weren’t able to match the pace of Fernando Alonso. In the third stint Robert defended his position from the attacks by Kimi Räikkönen in a clever and fair way, and claimed his well earned seventh podium of the season. That was really a brilliant performance by Robert. Nick managed to move up to tenth with a one-stop-strategy, but unfortunately, because of coming from 16th on the gird, more than this was not possible.”

All kinds of different exhibitions, the opportunity to pick up your car at the BMW Welt, guided tours as well as jazz and pre-Christmas concerts have attracted visitors from both Germany and all over the world to this new meeting place. At the same time a total of more than 220 external events have also attracted a wide range of participants to the BMW Welt Events Forum, many guests taking the opportunity to admire the unique architecture of this modern structure and enjoy a delicious meal in one of the restaurants.

In summer 2008 the Royal Institute of British Architects in London presented the renowned RIBA European Award to the BMW Welt for its innovative and trend-setting architecture. Christian Ude, the Mayor of Munich, described the BMW Welt using the following words, "With their location directly in the Olympic Park, the BMW Welt has become not only a popular attraction for everyone in Munich, but also a touristic highlight and an enrichment for our city. So I congratulate the BMW Welt most warmly on this outstanding success and wish the organization all the very best for the future."

High level of customer satisfaction, lots of love and a wedding couple at the BMW Welt.

The heart of the BMW Welt is the ceremony the customer enjoys in picking up his or her new car. Indeed, this is a highly emotional experience at the BMW Welt, the more than 16,000 customers taking over their BMW personally in the first year of the BMW Welt coming not only from Germany, but also from countries as far away as the USA, Canada, Russia, India, Reunion and Botswana.

A very popular highlight among customers is picking up their car on their own birthday.

Other very special occasions in the delivery of new cars were the symbolic handover of 30 - out of 950 - cars ordered by the police to the State of Bavaria as well as an American couple that got married the day before and picked up their new car wearing their wedding gown and black tie, leaving an eternal message in the guest book in the Lounge: "Thank you for making our day so memorable."

Numerous other comments and statements likewise highlight the strong emotional link many customers picking up their cars feel for the BMW Welt: "The Welt is the most beautiful building in the world" or a love greeting such as "I am in love with BMW" adorned by kisses in the book itself.

At 97 per cent, the level of satisfaction felt by customers picking up their cars is unusually high: "We are very happy indeed that the BMW Welt is so popular among our customers and that we have succeeded in achieving such an enormously high level of customer satisfaction", says Rudolf Wiedemann, the Director of the BMW Welt.

Culinary and creative highlights in the restaurants and at the Junior Campus.

Almost 600,000 guests have enjoyed the culinary excellence offered by the BMW Welt with a total of two restaurants, a bistro and a coffee bar. Particularly popular delicacies served by the Austrian caterer DO & CO are the local speciali-ties Wiener Schnitzel (served 8,900 times so far) and Apfelstrudel (6,500 times).

Among the many souvenirs on sale in the BMW Welt Shop, the classic ball pen enjoys the highest level of popularity (14,500 pens sold), with key rings coming next at 10,000 rings sold.

In the Junior Campus, the unique Adventure and Encounter Area for 7 - 13-year olds in the BMW Welt, more than 22,600 children have built more than 5,000 small cars in teams of four to five "young engineers" in the first year alone. Enjoying this very special extra-mural learning experience, children and young people are able to acquire knowledge on the subject of mobility in an independ-ent, interactive process.

Apart from individual visitors, more than 430 school classes and other educa-tional institutes have visited the Junior Campus, as well as more than 280 children coming to the Campus to celebrate their birthday with friends.

In future visitors will continue to enjoy a truly exclusive presentation of all BMW car and motorcycle model series, interactive exhibits and an Events Forum with the most advanced technical equipment for events of all kinds. Indeed, the classic and jazz concerts are particular highlights at the BMW Welt time and again, confirming the very open and outgoing culture of events. As just one example, the pre-Christmas concerts in the Auditorium will be starting again on 30 November 2008. And starting in January 2009, enthusiasts can look forward to further jazz matinées in the Double Cone, a very special part of the BMW Welt.

Attached Documents:

• BMW Welt Opening: closing of the ceremonial act

• BMW Welt Opening, 80,000 visitors on weekend October 20./ 21. 2007

Following the difficult race weekend in Imola (IT), the handicap weights of the BMW drivers can be calculated using a simple formula: Apart from BMW Team Germany’s Jörg Müller (DE), who will be carrying 62 kilograms in the two sprint races, all the BMW aces will have exactly the same number of kilos on board as their respective number of points. Therefore, BMW Team UK’s Andy Priaulx (GB) races with 55 extra kilograms, while Müller’s team-mate, Augusto Farfus (BR), carries 46 additional kilograms. BMW Team Italy-Spain drivers Félix Porteiro (ES) and Alessandro Zanardi (IT) contest the event with 50 and 29 kilograms of extra weight respectively.

Andy Priaulx (BMW Team UK):
“I like Monza as it is a great track with lots of history. I also gave the BMW 320si WTCC its first win there. I know the weekend is not going to be easy for any of us, but that doesn’t mean I won’t be driving as hard as I can. I shall never give up on this championship until I know without any doubt I cannot win it.”

Jörg Müller (BMW Team Germany):
“When we traveled to Imola, we didn’t have high hopes of a good result. But then I walked away with nine points in the bag. Who knows, maybe we will achieve something comparable in Monza. However, this won’t be an easy task. On the long straights, especially, the SEAT diesels will once again benefit from their extra power.”

Augusto Farfus (BMW Team Germany):
“I like the circuit because of its tradition. However, it’s not really challenging for us drivers. Compared to Imola I have got less weight in the car – and I hope this will pay off on the ultra-long straights. In 2006 I claimed victory in the Royal Park, but it will be really difficult to repeat this.”

Félix Porteiro (BMW Team Italy-Spain):
“I have fully recovered from my Imola accident. The neck pain I suffered after hitting Gabriele Tarquini’s car soon gave way to disappointment about having to leave the track empty-handed. In Monza I want to be successful again and score some good points for BMW.”

Alessandro Zanardi (BMW Team Italy-Spain):
“I really like the Monza circuit, although I wouldn’t call it my favourite. Especially with touring cars, we spend too much time down the straights where drivers cannot affect the performance of the car other than drafting each other. In the other end, it’s exiting to challenge your rivals in the braking areas.”

BMW Group US sales (BMW and MINI combined) decreased 4.8 percent year-to-date. In September sales declined 25.8 percent.

BMW Brand Sales
Sales of BMW brand vehicles decreased 29.5 percent in September for a total of 14,744 compared to 20,901 reported in the same month a year ago. Year-to-date BMW brand sales were down 9.6 percent, to 195,633 vehicles compared to 216,337 vehicles sold in the same period in 2007.

"At BMW, we are fortunate to have set a rational plan in place for the entire year. While our sales this month are on a level with others, in the year to date, we are still tracking better than the overall premium market," said Jim O’Donnell, President of BMW of North America, LLC. "New products such as the just refreshed 3 Series with its new look and new iDrive Control will keep us attractive in the market place. A new dimension will be added to our range of vehicles with the introduction of the Advanced Clean Diesels in the 3 Series and the X5, which will be available in all 50 states. We are also getting ready for the U.S. launch of the all-new 7 Series which comes early in the new year."

BMW Automobile Sales
BMW’s automobile sales are down 35.9 percent in September to 10,552 versus 16,457 in the same month a year ago. Year-to-date sales also decreased 9.9 percent, to 152,988 automobiles compared to 169,760 in the same period of 2007.

BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Sales
Sales of BMW Sports Activity Vehicles decreased by 5.7 percent in September to 4,192 vehicles over the 4,444 sold last September. Year-to-date, sales of BMW Sports Activity Vehicles were down 8.4 percent, to 42,645 vehicles compared to the 46,577 sold in the first nine months of 2007.

MINI Brand Sales
MINI USA reported September sales of 3,762 automobiles, down 6.7 percent from the 4,031cars sold in September 2007. Year-to-date, the division reported sales of 40,694 automobiles, an increase of 27.4 percent, compared to the 31,936 cars reported in the first nine months of 2007.

"Tight inventories restricted September MINI sales, which were 269 units below prior year levels," said Jim McDowell, Vice-President of MINI USA. "Despite high gas prices, limited credit opportunities, and concern about the overall economy, more and more Americans are rethinking automotive choices they have always made. We think this is the reason why we ended the month with only a six day supply of cars in our retailers’ showrooms. In the coming month, we look forward to increased production for our market to help replenish our dealer stocks."

Attached Documents:

• BMW Group USA September Sales Chart

Authentic transition of the features and design language typical of a BMW X model into a new class of vehicles. A concept study offering a clear expression of modern style, agility, versatility and premium quality through its design alone.

As an innovative vehicle concept in the premium compact segment, the BMW Concept X1 sets the standard for cool elegance, modern style, and variable function.

The BMW Concept X1 offers ample room for spontaneous mobility in many different ways, clearly reflecting the lifestyle of a modern and active target group. Numerous details on the Concept Car provide a clear hint as to the actual production of an appropriate series model within one year.

Exterior design

Typical features of a BMW X model combined with elegant, sleek proportions. This alone gives the BMW Concept X1 unique character within the range of BMW X models as a whole.

The striking frontal view clearly expresses the robust and powerful character of the car by emphasising its sheer width. A floor protection element finished in a different colour gives additional emphasis to the wide track.

The BMW Concept X1 comes with dual round headlights cut off at the top in the typical style of the BMW brand, complete with a white-coloured horizontal cover at the top edge. The position of the headlights and foglamps brings back the three-eye face of other BMW X models.

Six contour lines and the three-dimensional shape define the surface design of the engine compartment lid emanating a strong feeling of dynamic performance. The inner lines taper out sharply to the front towards the BMW kidney grille, the outer lines continue into the shoulder contours at the side.

Through its centre of gravity visibly positioned right in the middle, the small distance between the front axle and the steering wheel, and the almost square contours of the wheel cutouts, the side view of the BMW Concept X1 draws a clear parallel to other BMW X models. Black body surrounds made of a special, robust synthetic material highlight the clear orientation towards the wheels. The sturdy, silver-coloured roof railing extends far to the rear, determining the course of the roofline together with the spoiler at the back.

Characteristic rear end with L-shaped rear light clusters ensuring a homogeneous light effect thanks to LED light tubes. Raked to a low angle, the rear window gives the BMW Concept X1 a truly sporting touch, the horizontal lines emphasising the sheer width of the vehicle.

As a special design feature specific to this model, three-dimensional surrounds encompass the headlights and rear light clusters and help to create the special graphics of the side windows.

Attached Documents:

• The BMW Concept X1 Full Brief

• BMW Concept X1

• BMW Concept X1

Glenn Kearney Finishes Pro Class Two Minutes Forty-five Seconds Out in Front.

With ideal riding conditions in his favor, Kearney pulled the holeshot at the start of the race, but was passed by Australian rider Laurence Mahoney shortly before heading into the woods. The two set a blistering pace in the first loop with Glenn content to sit back and follow his fellow countryman and pick lines that could be used as the race wore on. In lap 2, Mahoney made a small mistake, allowing Kearney to quickly pass and set off for the overall win. He steadily pulled away from the pack until by the finish — some 3.5 hours later — he was 2 minutes 45 seconds out front and in command. Following Glenn across the line were defending National Hare Scrambles Champion Jason Raines and current National Enduro points leader Russell Bobbitt.

Team Manager and five-time GNCC Champion Scott Summers finished 2nd in the Vet A (30+) class on his Husqvarna TXC 510, continuing his string of podium finishes. He posted his eighth win in a row in the Vet A Class in Round 10 of the GNCC Racing Series in Snowshoe, West Virginia, September 13-14.

Kearney, of Hickory, NC, is now second in total points for the overall National Hare Scrambles Championship. He rose to prominence as an off-road racer in Australia. In the U.S., the 26-year-old Australian Enduro Champion, has proven to be one of the hardest working riders in the GNCC series, adhering to a grueling training program and possessing considerable heart and determination on the track. Kearney credits much of his success in the Hare Scramble and GNCC Series this year to his mechanic Wyatt Seals, who has superbly prepped his Husqvarna bikes.

Team Husqvarna sponsors include Axo, Spectro, Pirelli, Wiseco, Tireballs, Arai, Scott USA, EK Chain, Twin Air, UFO, Tag, Mechanix Wear, Holeshot Motorsports, Powersports Grafx, CTI, LeoVince, DP Brakes, and Cycra.

Husqvarna Motorcycles. Tradition on two wheels since 1903.

Husqvarna Motorcycles, which was purchased by the BMW Group in October 2007, is well-known and highly respected in the off-road motorcycle market. Its heritage is inextricably linked to competition riding with numerous world championships in the 60s and 70s in both motocross and enduro classes. In 1987, Cagiva purchased the Husqvarna motorcycle division and moved production to Varese, Italy, where the bikes continue to be manufactured today.

BMW Team Italy-Spain’s Alessandro Zanardi (IT) missed out on championship points in both races. Following finishing tenth in race one, Zanardi’s team-mate, Félix Porteiro (ES), was involved in a heavy accident at the start of race two. While accelerating, he crashed into the SEAT of Gabriele Tarquini (GB) who hadn’t moved when the red lights went off. Fortunately both drivers walked away from this incident. With 55 points to his tally, Priaulx remains the best-placed BMW driver in the overall classification. However, the gap to the championship leader Muller increased to 25 points. In the manufacturers’ standings, BMW still holds second with 207 points.

Jörg Müller (BMW Team Germany):
“I must say I’m really happy with finishing second as I knew it would be nearly impossible to keep James Thompson behind me for long. Therefore I tried to avoid any mistakes and to secure another podium result. It was no big surprise for us to see the competition in such an impressive shape here.”

Andy Priaulx (BMW Team UK):
“When I look back at the weekend, and especially race one, I feel this was a missed opportunity and I am taking the blame. I could have braked half a second later into the first corner and could have been more aggressive.”

Augusto Farfus (BMW Team Germany):
“Over the course of the weekend Jörg and I were always the quickest BMW drivers. In the first race we used this to achieve the best possible result. However, at the start of race two I just lost too many positions.”

Félix Porteiro (BMW Team Italy-Spain):
“This was quite a heavy crash. My neck is still painful, but overall I’m okay. I had a good start and tried to overtake Yvan Muller on the right-hand side. Then I switched to the left – and suddenly there was this car. I didn’t have a chance to avoid it.”

Alessandro Zanardi (BMW Team Italy-Spain):
“My poor grid position had a major impact on the outcome of my two races. Today we were faster in the corners than the opposition, but slower on the straights. That’s why it was extremely hard to overtake. In the first race I tried to pass Tiago Monteiro and unfortunately made a mistake.”

Attached Documents:

• 20.09. -21.09.2008 Imola, Italy (ITA), Alessandro Zanardi (ITA), BMW Team Italy-Spain, BMW 320si, Andy Priaulx (GBR), BMW Team UK, BMW 320si WTCC - "Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari", 2008 FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC), Rd. 17-18

• 20.09. -21.09.2008 Imola, Italy (ITA), Alessandro Zanardi (ITA), BMW Team Italy-Spain, BMW 320si, Andy Priaulx (GBR), BMW Team UK, BMW 320si WTCC - "Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari", 2008 FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC), Rd. 17-18

• p90043819

• 20.09. -21.09.2008 Imola, Italy (ITA), Podium, Jorg Muller (GER), BMW Team Germany, BMW 320si - "Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari", 2008 FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC), Rd. 17-18

The complete Text for this press kit is available for downloading below.

Attached Documents:

• BMW Concept 7 Series Activehybrid

• BMW Concept 7 Series ActiveHybrid

The award acknowledges outstanding production management which gives companies a permanent competitive advantage. The BMW Group is the first car manufacturer to receive this European award, which was introduced in 2002.

The jury mainly justified the award by citing the clearly defined strategy which has achieved a very high level of penetration across all levels of the organisational unit. This is evident from the high level of independent improvement management carried out by the workforce. The other factor is the high level of efficiency confirmed by the outstanding performance of indicators for quality, time and costs.

Nikolaus Bauer, Director Chassis and Driveline Systems Production assesses the effect of gaining the award: "Our application for the Industrial Excellence Award has confirmed the route we have taken and sharpened our perspective on strategy and customer focus. This award also provides confirmation of our performance as an in-house manufacturer of components and all employees are entitled to regard this achievement with a sense of pride. We perceive this award as a motivation to meet the challenges of the future. I am particularly pleased to receive this award in the year 2008 - the centenary year of industrial production at the Dingolfing site. Living confirmation that age is no restriction for innovation!"

The Industrial Excellence Award competition looks at how management quality influences the excellence of a division. The jury looks at the operating unit itself and assesses all the processes along the entire production and logistics chain - from the supplier to the final customer. A key contribution is consistent tracking of all stakeholder interests - including customers and employees, as well as shareholders, business partners and other interest groups. The Industrial Excellence Award highlights strategic customer focus and a corporate culture directed towards sustainable, long-term development. The award is based on a comprehensive questionnaire developed by academics at INSEAD - one of the world’s biggest and most prestigious business schools and the WHU Otto Beisheim School of Management.

In addition to winning the Bavarian Quality Prize in 2003, Chassis and Driveline Systems was also the first business in the automobile sector to gain Germany’s most important award for corporate quality in November 2005 - the Ludwig-Erhard Prize 2005. In 2006, the division received the European Quality Award - the highest European award for universal corporate excellence.

Chassis and Driveline Systems is part of the worldwide production network of the BMW Group and has developed in Dingolfing as a centre of competence for chassis and axle drives. The vehicle modules produced here are supplied to all BMW plants in Germany and abroad.

Attached Documents:

• Award ceremony "The Best Factory 2008" - Acceptance of the European award by Guenter Klamer, BMW Group, Senior Vice President Powertrain und Chassis Systems; Frank-Peter Arndt, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Production; Nikolaus Bauer, BMW Group, Director Chassis and Driveline Systems Production; Volker Arnold, Director BMW Branch on Bonn