In 2009, BMW Dealers Will Invest $300 Million in New and Modernized Facilities in the U.S.

Dealer investments continue to show strong pace. Since 2000, dealers have invested $2.2 billion to prepare for future growth of BMW in the U.S.

WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J., April 17 /PRNewswire/ -- BMW dealer investment for the future continues, even in the current economic climate. "Investments from our BMW dealers are proof of confidence in the future success of the BMW brand in the US," Jim O'Donnell, President of BMW of North America, LLC, said. "Today, our network is one of the strongest in the country and we are all working closely together to extend our leading position in the future."

O'Donnell delivered this message on the occasion of the Grand Opening of Rusnak BMW in Thousand Oaks, CA.

Over the last nine years, the BMW network has invested $2.2 billion as part of a comprehensive plan to develop the best facilities of any premium brand. The current $300 million investment continues this direction. By the end of 2009, most of the 338 dealerships will have undergone modernization of facilities. Other openings and expansions in 2009 include BMW Advantage (Houston, TX); Prestige BMW (Ramsey, NJ); JMK BMW (Springfield, NJ); Foreign Motors West (Boston, MA); and Bill Jacobs BMW (Chicago, IL).

In the current demanding and difficult automotive environment, BMW dealers have maintained their strong and stable franchises. "Our dealers have led the way with a stronger emphasis on the used car business and it has helped buffer the consequences of declining new car sales in the US," said O'Donnell. "Early on, we and our dealers recognized this opportunity and the used car business has become an even more important part of our strategy for our US success." O'Donnell also noted this action is bringing new and younger customers into the BMW family, even in the current economic climate.

In 2008, BMW sold more than 104,000 Certified Pre-Owned vehicles (16.4 percent more than 2007), making the brand the largest used vehicle operation within the premium segment and outselling its closest competitor by more than 60 percent. Results from the first quarter of 2009 indicate CPO sales are on track to increase an additional 15 percent for the full year.

Also important is top-of-industry customer retention through BMW's Ultimate Service program that includes a 4-year / 50,000 mile vehicle maintenance plan with the purchase of any new BMW. As a result, through the first ownership period, 97 percent of BMW vehicles have all of their service performed at certified dealers, as opposed to the industry average of about 50 percent, helping to fully utilize BMW dealer service centers.

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, 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 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.

Source: BMW of North America, LLC

CONTACT: Jan Ehlen, Business Communications Manager, +1-201-307-3789,
Jan.Ehlen@bmwna.com

Web Site: http://www.bmwgroupna.com/

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Profile: automotive-news