BMW TO HONOR TOP TECHNICIANS IN REGIONAL SKILLS COMPETITIONS

Master technicians nationwide vie to find and fix the 'bugs'

Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey, July 12, 2002... BMW technicians from across the
country will be analyzing engines, inspecting electronics, and fixing glitches
"planted" in BMW vehicles as they compete for one of the industry's highest
honors in BMW's Association of Certified Technicians (ACT) Regional Master
Finals competitions on July 13.

A total of 46 BMW Master Technicians have qualified for the Regional Master
Finals in Atlanta; Schaumberg, Illinois; Ontario, California; and Montvale, New
Jersey got there by meeting specific training criteria set by BMW and excelling
at three written exams. The final round involves a "hands on" diagnostic
competition in which the technicians are judged on their efforts to locate and
repair complex technical problems "planted" in a vehicle, and another written
exam.

"An incredible amount of skill and knowledge is needed to repair today's
increasingly sophisticated vehicles," said Lou Provato, Manager, Aftersales
Development and Quality Management. "BMW technicians need to stay sharp. The
ACT program reinforces the continuous training they receive by encouraging them
to review their training materials, to conduct research for their exams, and to
question the way in which they do their job. In the long run, the process
makes them a better technician."

Initiated about 20 years ago, the voluntary program is open to all 3,200
authorized BMW technicians nationwide. This year, about 2,400 took part; only
46 made it to the Regional Master Finals, and only 19 earn the top award - an
eight-day trip for two to Hawaii. The other 27 finalists receive a three-day
trip to the Derek Daly Performance Driving Academy in Las Vegas.

Besides providing technicians with an opportunity to demonstrate their
commitment to the profession, the ACT program allows BMW to recognize and
reward the accomplishments of its top performers. "It's a very competitive
program," Provato noted. "It is demanding and rewarding from the standpoint of
self growth - even if they don't win."

ACT is just one example of BMW's initiatives to promote excellence throughout
all levels of the organization. In conjunction with other BMW training
programs, ACT provides BMW centers with the most advanced automotive
technicians in the world.

BMW GROUP IN AMERICA

BMW of North America has been present in the United States since 1975. Since
then, the BMW Group in the United States has grown to include marketing, sales
and financial service organizations for the BMW and MINI brands; a South
Carolina manufacturing operation; DESIGNWORKS/USA, an industrial design firm in
California; a technology office in Silicon Valley and various other operations
throughout the country. The BMW Group is represented in the U.S. through
networks of 340 BMW car, 327 BMW Sports Activity Vehicle, 148 BMW motorcycle
retailers and 59 MINI car dealers. BMW US Holding Corp., the Group's
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.bmwusa.com, http://www.bmwmotorcycles.com and
http://www.miniusa.com.

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Journalist note: Information about the BMW Group and its products is available
to journalists on-line at the BMW Group PressClub at the following address -
www.press.bmwgroup.com.

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