The BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI brands combined) reports year-to-date sales of 248,273 vehicles, an increase of 8 percent verses the 229,833 vehicles sold in the first three quarters of 2006. September sales are up 7 percent, with the Group reporting 24,932 vehicles verses the 23,303 reported in 2006.
BMW Brand Sales Increase 8.1 Percent Year-to-date

BMW brand sales are up 8.1 percent year-to-date, to 216,337 vehicles compared to 200,063 vehicles sold in first nine months of 2006.

In September, BMW brand sales are up 2.8 percent for a total of 20,901 vehicles compared to 20,339 reported in the same month a year ago.

BMW Automobile Sales

Sales of BMW brand automobiles are up 9.2 percent in the first three quarters of 2007, to 169,761 automobiles over 155,525 in the same period of 2006. In September, automobile sales also increased by 7.7 percent to 16,457 cars versus 15,275 in the same month a year ago.

BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Sales

Year-to-date, sales of BMW Sports Activity Vehicles improved by 4.6 percent, to 46,576 vehicles compared to the 44,538 sold in the same period in 2006. In September, sales of BMW Sports Activity Vehicles are down 12.2 percent, to 4,444 vehicles over the 5,064 sold in the same month in 2006.

Certified Pre-Owned

Sales of BMW’s Certified Pre-Owned vehicles are up 25.5 percent in September, and the company reports its best September ever, with sales of 7,421 CPO vehicles versus 5,913 vehicles reported last year. Year-to-date, CPO sales were up 0.6 percent, to 64,445 over the 64,042 reported in the same period in 2006.

MINI Automobiles

MINI Brand Increases 36 Percent In September

MINI USA reports September sales of 4,031 automobiles, up 36 percent from the 2,964 cars sold last September. Year-to-date, the division reports sales of 31,936 automobiles, an increase of 7.3 percent, compared to the 29,770 cars reported in the first three quarters of 2006.

Formula BMW Americas reflects the growth of Formula BMW worldwide. Formula BMW Germany and Formula BMW UK announced on June 28th that the two series will reorganize to form Formula BMW Europe. Formula BMW Europe, Formula BMW Americas and Formula BMW Asia will now comprise the new face of Formula BMW.

BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen is happy about the upgrading of the series: - “Formula BMW is becoming more and more international. What we do with Formula BMW Europe we continue with Formula BMW Americas. We pay contribution to the fact that we had growing interest from the bordering regions - in that case the South American region. In 2007, we had Formula BMW USA drivers from Brazil and Colombia. South American youngsters already comprise more than one-third of the entry in the upcoming October scholarship course. We therefore look forward to continuing to increase Formula BMW’s presence there.”

While the balance of the 14-race Formula BMW Americas schedule is yet to be finalized, BMW Motorsport is pleased to announce that, despite the loss of the United States Grand Prix, the season will again be anchored by races at two Formula 1 Grands Prix. Formula BMW will race for a fifth consecutive year in support of the Canadian Grand Prix, on June 6-8, and, new for 2008, Formula BMW drivers will race at the Brazilian Grand Prix on October 31 to November 2. The remainder of the 14-race schedule will take place at a combination of American Le Mans Series, Champ Car World Series and Rolex Sports Car Series weekends.

A cornerstone of Formula BMW is the unique Junior program and for 2008 BMW Motorsport will award four scholarships worth $80,000. Esteban Gutierrez, the 2007 Formula BMW USA Rookie of the year, will be offered the first Junior scholarship.
The additional three scholarships will be awarded to drivers chosen from the October 3-4 scholarship shoot-out and a second, newly-added licensing/scholarship course on December 13-14. One scholarship will be awarded to the top driver in each course with the final scholarship going to the next most promising driver from the combined events. The winners will be announced the week of December 17th. Both courses will be held at the Formula BMW Racing Center at the Circuit de la Comunitat Valenciana Ricardo Tormo, in Valencia, Spain.

BMW Motorsport will be attending the Copa Brazil, in Ipatinga, Brazil, on October 13 to introduce Formula BMW to young karters. The event is the most important championship in Brazil with participants competing in 13 different categories and will be a perfect platform to promote the growing Formula BMW series in South America. BMW works driver for WTCC Team Germany, Augusto Farfus, will join the event together with representatives of BMW Motorsport and Formula BMW USA.

Also, the series will hold a promotion at the Stars of Karting Final, in Las Vegas, Nevada, which will be held from October 19-21 with more than 150 young karters participating.

Background:

Formula BMW is the world’s leading entry-level championship in Formula racing. In 2007 the series will be held in Germany, the UK, Asia and the USA. More than 80 up-and-coming drivers, some as young as 15-years old, will compete worldwide. Racing four times in support of the Formula One World Championship, Formula BMW offers a worldwide stage, training through a multifaceted Education and Coaching Program and BMW’s longstanding Junior scholarship for deserving drivers.

The FB02 race car is propelled by a 140 bhp BMW engine, reaching speeds up to 140 mph. The design exceeds the FIA safety requirements for its class, with the BMW Motorsport developed FORS (Formula Rescue Race Seat), and the mandatory HANS (Head and Neck Support) safety system.

From November 24 to 26, 2006 the Circuit de la Comunitat Valenciana Ricardo Tormo hosted the second Formula BMW World Final. 37 young racing drivers from the four regional Formula BMW series competed against each other with the winner Christian Vietoris receiving a test drive with the BMW Sauber F1 Team.

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 of motor vehicles, including motorcycles, 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. 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.

BMW has issued a voluntary recall of its Hitch Mounted Bike Carrier, which has been available as a BMW accessory since 2004. A pinch point exists between the bike arm bracket and the upright assembly of the rack. When moving the bike arm bracket to its down position, this pinch point has the potential of causing serious or severe injury to a finger or hand. To correct the potential problem, a retrofit kit must be installed.

BMW has instructed all its dealers to identify their customers who purchased the bike carrier and to provide their contact information to BMW. BMW will then contact each customer directly. Customers who purchased the bike carrier are encouraged to contact BMW or their BMW Center as soon as possible. All new and unsold inventories will be updated with the retrofit kit prior to retail sale.

BMW today announced that Davis Guggenheim, the director-producer of the Academy Award-winning documentary An Inconvenient Truth, is the latest person to be given a BMW Hydrogen 7 for everyday use on U.S. roadways. Guggenheim first opted for a BMW Hydrogen 7 as his green ride of choice to the 2007 Academy Awards.

The culturally-significant documendary based on a slide show about global warming given by former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, Guggenheim’s An Inconvenient Truth helped successfully spark a public dialog about global warming, its impact on the future of our planet and, most importantly, what we can do now to make a difference.

“I am thrilled to be able to drive the BMW Hydrogen 7,” said Davis Guggenheim. “My work on An Inconvenient Truth left me with a profound respect for our planet and the urgency to create change. I am excited to learn about the new technologies that are essential if we are going to solve this great problem. Every mile covered in a hydrogen-powered vehicle like the BMW H7 makes a difference.”

In addition to his work on An Inconvenient Truth, Guggenheim served as director, producer or writer on a number of successful projects for both the big- and small- screen. He was executive producer for the Oscar®-nominated film Training Day, starring Denzel Washington; and he recently directed episodes of critically-acclaimed television programs including The Shield, Alias, 24, NYPD Blue, ER and more.

Guggenheim joins several other preeminent figures in entertainment, government, the environment and more, as the latest member of the BMW Hydrogen 7 Pioneer Program, designed to help the company in its mission to build widespread support of hydrogen as a viable alternative to fossil fuels.

Running in hydrogen mode, the BMW Hydrogen 7 essentially emits nothing but water vapor, representing a major step in reducing harmful CO2 emissions. It is not a concept car, but a production model vehicle that has successfully completed the entire Product Development Process. While the BMW Hydrogen 7 is not for sale, it is considered to be a milestone in bringing forward hydrogen as the sustainable fuel for individual transportation.

By harnessing the power and influence of individuals who, like Davis Guggenheim, are at the forefront of their respective disciplines, BMW hopes to continue to generate support of hydrogen-drive vehicles in the short term and stimulate demand for a viable hydrogen infrastructure in the long-term.

A number of entertainers, politicians, business leaders and more have opted for a BMW Hydrogen 7 as their energy-efficient ride of choice, including Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie at the “Ocean’s 13″ premiere in Hollywood; Fox Entertainment Chairman Peter Liguori at the FOX All-Star Party in Santa Monica; Richard Gere and Sharon Stone at the Cinema for Peace Gala in Berlin; and Best Foreign Language Film Oscar® winner, director Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck at the 2007 Academy Awards; among others. The vehicle has also made an impact oversees, with luminaries such as Michael Glos, German Federal Minister for Economy and Technology, and Günter Verheugen, Vice President of the European Commission, world renowned soprano Anna Netrebko and many others covering more than 1.3 million miles worldwide.

Daniel Morad (Eurointernational) ended the 2007 Formula BMW USA season as he began it - a winner. After clinching the Overall title yesterday with a fourth-place finish in Round 13, the 17-year old Canadian added a record sixth win today.
Morad led from the pole and was never passed in the 16-lap race at Mosport International Raceway, finishing .652 seconds ahead of season-long rival Esteban Gutierrez (Autotecnica). Morad set a new race record on lap nine with a 1:23.464 minute lap. 16-year old Gutierrez, from Monterrey, Mexico, won this season’s Rookie Championship earlier this month at Road America and finished second to Morad in the Overall point standings. He took a record nine poles this year, winning four times.

Maxime Pelletier (HBR Motorsport Team USA) finished third, the fifth time this season the second-year Formula BMW USA driver has podiumed. HBR Motorsport teammates Junior Ricardo Favoretto and Steven Gurerrero rounded out the top-five finishers.

There was no question about the weather for today’s race as a bright afternoon sun shone on the 14-car grid. Morad answered the green lights with a great start, opening up a 2.4 second gap to Gutierrez by the time the race’s only yellow flag flew for a lap nine crash by Mike Hill (Team KMA Racing). The field followed the BMW M Coupe safety car until the green flag waved to begin lap 13 with Morad, Gutierrez, Pelletier, Alexander Rossi (Team Apex Racing USA) and Favoretto in the top-five. Favoretto and Guerrero moved up in the final two laps as Rossi faded to sixth.

Morad’s Eurointernational won their second consecutive Formula BMW USA Team Championship.

Morad said, “Formula BMW USA has meant so much to me. There are so many aspects to this series that help you, but ultimately they make sure it is up to the driver. 6 wins, 10 podiums and the championship - I couldn’t ask for much more, could I?”

Gutierrez said, “Three years ago I convinced my mom and dad to buy me a go kart so to finish second overall and win the Rookie championship in my first season in formula car racing is like a dream come true.”

Pelletier said, “I am disappointed not to have won this year, but after changing teams and finishing on the podium five times I know this year was a success. I led at Indy and almost won at Lime Rock, but came up a little bit short. I know what I have learned in two seasons of Formula BMW USA will serve me well as I move ahead.”

The top-finishing Rookie drivers were Gutierrez (P2), Ricardo Favoretto (P4), Eric Morrow (P11) and Timothy Hollowell (P12).

As Formula BMW USA continues developing plans for 2008 and following years, one more major event is on the calendar of many Formula BMW USA competitors this season - the Formula BMW World Final in Valencia, Spain on November 24-25th with its grand prize to the winner - a test with the BMW Sauber F1 Team.

Round 14 - Results (16 laps)

1 Daniel Morad EUROINTERNATIONAL 26:02.467
2 Esteban Gutierrez (R) Autotecnica 26:03.119
3 Maxime Pelletier HBR Motorsport Team USA 26:04.136
4 Ricardo Favoretto (R) HBR Motorsport Team USA 26:05.982
5 Steven Guerrero HBR Motorsport Team USA 26:07.094
6 Alexander Rossi Team Apex Racing USA 26:07.768
7 Yannick Hofman EUROINTERNATIONAL 26:08.082
8 Robert Thorne Team Apex Racing USA 26:10.145
9 Jordan Dick JD Racing 26:10.478
10 Philip Major Autotecnica 26:11.355
11 Timothy Hollowell (R) Team KMA Racing 26:12.225
12 Julia Landauer Team KMA Racing 26:12.225
13 Eric Morrow (R)* Hearn Motorsports 26:31.616
14 Mike Hill Team KMA Racing 26:12.169 not running

* Car 12 penalized 20 seconds for violation of 2007 IMSA code 5.6 (avoidable contact)

Championship points after 14 of 14 races:

1. Daniel Morad (EUROINTERNATIONAL, 478), 2. Esteban Gutierrez (Team Autotecnica, 436), 3. Alexander Rossi (Team Apex Racing USA, 410) 4. Maxime Pelletier (HBR Motorsport Team USA, 382) 5. Steven Guerrero (HBR Motorsport Team USA, 378), 6. Robert Thorne (Team Apex Racing USA, 367) 7. Yannick Hofman (EUROINTERNATIONAL, 363), 8. Ricardo Favoretto (HBR Motorsport Team USA, 345), 9. Jordan Dick (JD Racing, 332), 10. Philip Major (Team Autotecnica, 298) 11. Eric Morrow (Hearn Motorsports, 262), 12. Sebastian Saavedra (EUROINTERNATIONAL, 258) 13. Jeffrey Petriello (Team KMA Racing, 242) 14. Tim Hollowell (Team KMA Racing, 242) 15. Mike Hill (Team KMA Racing, 210), 16. Julia Landauer (Team KMA Racing, 202), 17. Adrien Tambay (EUROINTERNATIONAL, 109) 18. Lindsey Adams (Team Apex Racing USA, 84), 19. Matt Ferris (Gelles Racing, 80), 20. Billy Goshen (Hearn Motorsports, 48) 21. Felipe Polehtto (Team Apex Racing USA, 28) 22. Jordan Lynch (Hearn Motorsports, 28) 23. Keenan Schmitke (Gelles Racing, 24) 24. Michael Vincec (Jensen Motorsports, 12)

Rookies: 1. Esteban Gutierrez (436), 2. Ricardo Favoretto (345) 3. Eric Morrow (262), 4. Jeffrey Petirello (Team KMA Racing, 242) 5. Tim Hollowell (242) 6. Adrien Tambay (109) 7. Keenan Schmitke (24) 8. Michael Vincec (Jensen Motorsports, 12)

Background:

Formula BMW is the world’s leading entry-level championship in Formula racing. In 2007 the series will be held in Germany, the UK, Asia and the USA. More than 80 up-and-coming drivers, some as young as 15-years old, will compete worldwide. Racing four times in support of the Formula One World Championship, Formula BMW offers a worldwide stage, training through a multifaceted Education and Coaching Program and BMW’s longstanding Junior scholarship for deserving drivers.

The FB02 race car is propelled by a 140 bhp BMW engine, reaching speeds up to 140 mph. The design exceeds the FIA safety requirements for its class, with the BMW Motorsport developed FORS (Formula Rescue Race Seat), and the mandatory HANS (Head and Neck Support) safety system.

From November 24 to 26, 2006 the Circuit de la Comunitat Valenciana Ricardo Tormo hosted the second Formula BMW World Final. 37 young racing drivers from the four regional Formula BMW series competed against each other with the winner Christian Vietoris receiving a test drive with the BMW Sauber F1 Team.

The John Cooper Works Tuning Kit boosts the output of the twin scroll turbocharged engine from 172 to 189 horsepower. Maximum torque is also boosted from 177 foot-pounds between 1,000 and 5,000 rpm to 185 foot-pounds between 1,750 and 5,000 rpm. With MINI’s overboost function, peak torque for the kit reaches a temporary level of 200 foot-pounds between 1,750 to 4,500 rpm.

Compared to the previous generation John Cooper Works Tuning Kit the new kit offers an improvement in performance at a significantly lower price while requiring fewer changes in components and labor time. Notable performance improvements are seen in the accelerations times:

2006 MINI Cooper S with JCW Kit 2007 MINI Cooper S with JCW Kit

0-60 MPH 6.5 seconds 6.5 seconds
50-75 MPH 4th gear 6.4 seconds 5.3 seconds
50-75 MPH 5th gear 6.7 Seconds 6.6 seconds
50-75 MPH 6th gear 8.9 seconds 7.6 seconds

The unique John Cooper Works kit is sold exclusively through MINI dealers and is covered under MINI’s comprehensive new car warranty. Key features of the new 2007 John Cooper Works kit include a redesigned high-flow air intake box with a performance air filter element, a low-restriction dual pipe sport exhaust with larger diameter chrome tips and special reprogramming of the electronic control unit to improve throttle response and overall performance. The kit is also tastefully distinguished by JCW badges on the exterior of the car as well as under the bonnet.

The air box that comes with the John Cooper Works Tuning Kit features a larger aperture to allow more fresh air to enter though a special low restriction filter element. In addition to dramatically increasing the airflow, the new air box creates a more powerful induction sound that compliments the impressive growl from the performance exhaust, also part of the kit.

The enhanced Electronic Control Unit (ECU) programming has been recalibrated to optimize power output and drivability, resulting in lively throttle response and increased acceleration in the mid-range torque band. The reprogramming optimizes the power output by managing all engine control functions including airflow, combustion, fuel delivery and spark advance.

The stainless steel Sport Exhaust System is a parallel-flow, low backpressure system with superb interior and exterior noise quality. The system adds a throatier, more powerful exhaust note, and has distinctive-looking twin chrome exhaust tips engraved with the John Cooper Works logos.

Visual cues for the kit are understated and will appeal to the MINI enthusiast. Unique chrome John Cooper Works badge adorns the front grill and rear deck lid. Under the bonnet the low restriction air box is also distinguished with a John Cooper Works logo.

The John Cooper Works kit is sold and professionally installed through all MINI dealers in the U.S. A MINI Cooper S equipped with the dealer-installed package is fully backed by MINI’s 4 year, 50,000-mile new car warranty. Owners of an existing MINI Cooper S may visit their local MINI dealer and have the kit installed at any time. The balance of the factory warranty will still remain in effect. The full 2007 John Cooper Works kit retails for $2,100.00 plus a recommended 2 hours of labor for installation.

The Cooper name is forever entwined with MINI, originating with the 1961 MINI Cooper, which was developed by John Cooper. Recognizing MINI’s inherent motorsport potential, Mr. Cooper’s team produced cars that took numerous race titles, and the MINI Cooper S became the stuff of legends with three Monte Carlo Rally wins between 1964 and 1967, driven by greats such as Paddy Hopkirk and Rauno Aaltonen.

The BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) reports strong August sales of 30,639 vehicles, an increase of 19.3 percent over the 25,673 vehicles sold in August 2006. The BMW Group also increased its year-to-date sales volume to 223,341 vehicles, up 8.1 percent, compared to 206,530 vehicles in the same period of 2006.

BMW Brand Sales

Sales of BMW brand vehicles increased 18.5 percent in August for a total of 26,562 compared to 22,421 reported in the same month a year ago. Year-to-date BMW brand sales are up 8.7 percent, to 195,436 vehicles compared to 179,724 vehicles sold in the same period in 2006.

BMW Automobile Sales

BMW’s automobile sales are up 22.1 percent in August to 20,825 versus 17,053 in the same month a year ago. Year-to-date sales also increased 9.3 percent, to 153,304 automobiles compared to 140,250 in the same period of 2006.

BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Sales

Sales of BMW Sports Activity Vehicles increased by 6.9 percent in August to 5,737 vehicles over the 5,368 sold last August. Year-to-date, sales of BMW Sports Activity Vehicles are up 6.7 percent, to 42,132 vehicles compared to the 39,474 sold in the first eight months of 2006.

MINI Brand Sales

MINI USA reported August sales of 4,077 automobiles, up 25.4 percent from the 3,252 cars sold in August 2006. Year-to-date, the division reports sales of 27,905 automobiles, an increase of 4.1 percent, compared to the 26,806 cars reported in the first eight months of 2006.

BMW Certified Pre-Owned

Sales of BMW’s Certified Pre-Owned vehicles are up 11.2 percent, and the company reports its best August ever with sales of 7,462 CPO vehicles versus 6,713 vehicles reported last August. Year-to-date, CPO sales are down 1.9 percent, to 57,024 over the 58,129 reported in the same period in 2006.

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 of motor vehicles, including motorcycles, 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. 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.

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

MINI reports its 200,000th car sold since its start in the U.S.

The BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) reports strong July sales of 28,364 vehicles, an increase of 20.1 percent over the 23,611 vehicles sold in July 2006. The BMW Group also increased its year-to-date sales volume to 192,702 vehicles, an increase of 6.5 percent, compared to 180,857 vehicles in the same period of 2006.

BMW Brand Sales

Sales of BMW brand vehicles climbed 21.0 percent to 24,295 compared to 20,083 units in the same month a year ago. Year-to-date BMW brand sales increase 7.4 percent, to 168,874 vehicles compared to 157,303 vehicles sold in first seven months of 2006.

BMW Automobile Sales

BMW’s automobile sales are up 22.8 percent in July to 19,083 versus 15,546 in the same month a year ago. Year-to-date sales are also up 7.5 percent, to 132,479 automobiles compared to 123,197 in the same period of 2006.

BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Sales

Sales of BMW Sports Activity Vehicles increased by 14.9 percent in July to 5,212 vehicles over the 4,537 sold last July. Year-to-date, sales of BMW Sports Activity Vehicles are up 6.7 percent, to 36,395 vehicles compared to the 34,106 sold in the first seven months of 2006.

Certified Pre-Owned

Sales of BMW’s Certified Pre-Owned vehicles reached its best July ever. Sales are up 2.9 percent, to 7,178 vehicles versus 6,977 vehicles reported last July. Year-to-date, CPO sales are down 3.6 percent, to 49,562 over the 51,416 reported in the same period in 2006.

MINI Brand Sales

MINI Automobiles
MINI USA reached a significant milestone in July: 200,000 MINIs have been sold in the U.S. since its launch in 2002. This is more than double the number of cars projected initially for the U.S. within this timeframe.

In July MINI USA reports sales of 4,069 automobiles, a strong increase of 15.3 percent, from the 3,528 cars sold in July 2006. Year-to-date, the division reports sales of 23,828 automobiles, an increase of 1.2 percent, compared to the 23,554 cars reported in the first seven months of 2006.

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 of motor vehicles, including motorcycles, 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. 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, 81 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.

In a strategic thriller, Nick Heidfeld secured the fourth podium ever for the BMW Sauber F1 Team at the Hungarian Grand Prix. It is his second podium this season after he finished second in Canada in June. Robert Kubica improved from seventh on the grid to a fifth place finish. Together the two drivers claimed ten points - the most scored in a single weekend in the young team’s short history.

Nick Heidfeld: 3rd

BMW Sauber F1.07-05 / BMW P86/7
Fastest Lap: 1:20.582 min on lap 16 (5th fastest overall)
“This was a superb race for me. I was on the podium for the second time this year, and podiums were on our ‘to do’ list for this season. I had a bad start on the dirty side of the track and lost a place to Kimi Räikkönen, but anyway both Lewis Hamilton and he have clearly been faster today, so a better start would not have changed much. I had some difficulties with the second and third sets of tyres and it was not easy to race against a ‘ghost’. Of course I knew I was racing Fernando Alonso but, due to the different strategies, he wasn’t visible to me. We decided early this weekend to go for a three stop strategy because the softer tyres caused trouble. I only used them in the last stint when my car was relatively light and the track had a lot of rubber. Fernando was faster than me almost everywhere and put me under pressure, but he didn’t have a proper chance to overtake as this is very difficult here.”

Robert Kubica: 5th

BMW Sauber F1.07-03 / BMW P86/7
Fastest Lap: 1:20.419 min on lap 40 (4th fastest overall)
“I am happy with the pace. Today the car worked well, and my race was pretty good. I had to start with used tyres, therefore, the first laps were very difficult for me. However, after the first stop the pace was really good and then I closed the gap to Nick to three seconds. Without yesterday’s problems we could have finished a lot better. Nick had a good result and this is good for the team.”

Mario Theissen (BMW Motorsport Director):

“That was not only a great result points wise, but it was also the best result so far for our team. Nick third and on the podium and Robert fifth - that means ten important points. To date we have never managed to get more than that with the BMW Sauber F1 Team in a single race. That is fantastic. Today everything worked well for us. Our race strategy was aggressive. The pit stops were perfect, and today that was very important. A great compliment to the team here at the track and also to our colleagues at home in Hinwil and Munich. Being third in the constructors’ championship means now we have a big cushion, and we look forward to going into the summer break highly motivated.”

Willy Rampf (Technical Director):

“This race was a wonderful game of chess, in which you could plan where and when to make your moves. Strategically it was extremely enjoyable, and because of a great pit crew it really worked perfectly for us. The performance of the pit crew was a crucial ingredient in this game of chess with the third stops, with the very quick tyre changes, being the most important. Both our drivers were fantastic today. They were fast and consistent and achieved the maximum today.”

After an extremely eventful European Grand Prix at the Nürburgring, the BMW Sauber F1 Team drivers, Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica, finished sixth and seventh. The drivers collided shortly after the start, which dropped them to the back of the field, but during the race they were able to move back into the points.

Nick Heidfeld: 6th

BMW Sauber F1.07-05/BMW P86/7
Fastest Lap: 1.34.354 min on lap 49 (7th fastest overall)
“My start was not as good as usual and, unfortunately, in the first corner Robert forced me onto the dirt and then again in the second corner. This was when unluckily we touched and afterwards I had a damaged car. However, we have been lucky that the race was interrupted and we were able to repair the car. The team did a very good job. Later in the race I was stuck behind Robert, and it was only at the end when he made a mistake I was able to pass him. The accident with Ralf Schumacher was very unlucky. He was slow accelerating out of the chicane, at first left room for me, but closed the door once he realised I was there. Unfortunately at this point I was on the wet part of the track and couldn’t avoid a collision. ”

Robert Kubica: 7th

BMW Sauber F1.07-03/BMW P86/7
Fastest Lap: 1.34.451 min on lap 49 (9th fastest overall)
“I made a very good start, but in the second corner I think Nick arrived a bit too fast, he touched me and I spun. I was then last. It then started to rain and I asked the team if I should pit. I had no answer so I continued, which was wrong. The race was fun because the conditions were changing, but I had a very big problem with the braking, as every time the rear was just dancing and on wet tyres I could not stop the car. When Nick got by me on the last lap I just couldn’t stop the car before the chicane and that is all. I didn’t want to cut the chicane, but maybe I should have done, because in the end I nearly had to stop. It was challenging, as it was not only about the speed of the car but the speed of reaction of the team, and when to put on which tyres. The race result could have been better but now we have to analyse everything.”

Mario Theissen (BMW Motorsport Director):

“It was a turbulent race with two rain periods and a lot of hectic pit stops, ten in total for us. Our pit crew did an excellent job and was capable of handling this situation very well. Finishing sixth and seventh was not because of the weather conditions, the collision in the first lap was responsible for that. In the end that cost us a podium finish.”

Willy Rampf (Technical Director):

“Following our strong performance in qualifying we are obviously disappointed with this result. For our team it started badly with Robert and Nick hitting each other in the second corner. Both cars were damaged as a result. On Nick’s car we had to change the right front track rod, and on Robert’s the rear wing endplate was damaged. After the re-start, both our drivers were stuck behind David Coulthard, but were not fast enough to overtake him. The fact that, despite all these problems, we managed to increase the gap to Renault in the constructors’ championship doesn’t make up for a bad race.”

Jerez Test - Two days during 24/25/26.07 with Robert Kubica - The team will decide on Monday whether to run on 24 and 25.07 or 25 and 26.07.