MINI TO INTRODUCE "PERPETUAL MOTION" MAGNETIC PROPULSION SYSTEM

* New magnetic system delivers world-leading fuel efficiency to MINI PR0401
* Hundreds, possibly thousands of miles range on a single electric charge
* Drive across the USA in a MINI for just a few dollars
* Propulsion / Repulsion 0401 (PR0401) system is the ultimate range extender

Woodcliff Lake, NJ - April 1, 2009... MINI USA looks set to take a world lead
in fuel efficiency with the announcement today (April 1) of a revolutionary
magnetic propulsion system that will extend the range of its MINI E to several
hundred, possibly even thousands of miles, on a single overnight charge of
electricity.

Drawing on the same Magnetic Tow Technology (MTT) which was announced by BMW in
the UK today, MINI USA has developed its own unique Propulsion / Repulsion 0401
(PR0401) System that is just one short step away from perpetual motion in an
automobile.

MINI's PR 0401 System uses a series of magnets situated in the MINI E's moving
and fixed parts of each of its four wheel hubs to both pull and push the wheels
in the desired direction, exploiting the magnets' natural tendency to attract
and repel. Not only does this system allow the MINI PR to travel extraordinary
distances for just a few cents, it produces virtually no noise as the electric
motor can be switched off once the car is moving.

Professor Lirpa Loof, Head of Magnetic Attraction Technology at MINI USA, said:
"The Mini E is already leading the way in EV performance, reliability and
eco-friendliness but this amazing new system will push it onto another level.
We could soon be seeing families travel across the USA from coast to coast for
just a couple of bucks."

"The only energy this system uses is a small draw on the battery to start the
vehicle moving forward and then the magnets take over and their natural
properties do the rest. This has to be the ultimate range extender," he added.
"Anyone who has played with magnets as a kid or travelled on a Maglev train
will understand precisely how this technology works and the kind of performance
we are talking about."

Once moving, only tiny amounts of electric current are required to switch on
and off the magnets, as the polarity of the fixed and moving magnets is rapidly
switched from positive to negative. The magnets first attract and then quickly
repel each other pushing the wheels in the desired direction - either forward
or reverse.

One challenge that Professor Loof faced with the PR system was the speed of the
MINI EV PR... and how to control it! The speed at which the magnets attract and
repel each other is instantaneous, which means in theory the vehicle is capable
of phenomenal speeds, restricted only by the time it takes to switch the
magnets' polarity and the wind resistance and drag of the MINI PR's body. The
MINI EV PR development vehicles are currently restricted to a top speed of 250
mph.

"For years, engineers have dreamed of developing perpetual motion for
transport," said Professor Loof, "And thanks to MINI PR, it looks like we are
almost there."
# # #

Note to editors: BMW announced in the UK today that its award-winning
EfficientDynamics programme has been taken to the next level with the
announcement of an innovative fuel and emissions saving system called Magnetic
Tow Technology (MTT).

The unique system, developed in conjunction with NASA, works via a discreet
unit located in the front of the automobile that projects an enhanced magnetic
beam 20 metres in front of the BMW.  Once a suitable target car is located and
the BMW is magnetically locked on behind it, the driver is then able to take
his foot off the accelerator, switch off the engine and let the automobile in
front do all the work. The towing car will not notice any change in
manoeuvrability or forward motion.

MINI in the US
MINI is an independent brand of the BMW Group. In the United States, MINI USA
operates as a business unit of BMW of North America, LLC which 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
of motor vehicles, including motorcycles, the MINI brand, and the Rolls-Royce
brand of Motor Cars; DesignworksUSA, a strategic design consultancy 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 X5 Sports Activity Vehicles and X6 Sports Activity Coupes. 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, 83 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:

www.bmwgroupna.com
www.bmwusa.com
www.bmwmotorcycles.com
www.miniusa.com
www.rolls-roycemotorcars.com

# # #

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 and select "USA" from the list of National PressClubs.
Broadcast quality video footage is available via The NewsMarket at
www.thenewsmarket.com.

# # #