BMW Limousines for IMF, World Bank meetings ready to roll

Singapore. September 7, 2006 BMW Asia and its sole distributor in
Singapore, Performance Motors Limited (PML), today handed over a fleet
of 7 Series limousines to the Singapore Government for the upcoming
Annual Meetings of the Board of Governors of the International Monetary
Fund (IMF) and World Bank beginning shortly here. The two companies,
lead partners of Singapore 2006, are supplying 451 units of the BMW
730Li to chauffeur heads of government, finance ministers and central
bank governors who will soon arrive for the meetings. In addition, 53
units of BMW 5 series and 41 units of BMW 3 series are provided, making
a grand total of 545 BMW vehicles. Mr Roland Krueger, Managing
Director of BMW Asia said: "We are very honoured to support
Singapore 2006, as this cooperation between the Singapore government
and BMW has many synergies. Our involvement in S2006 is the biggest
project of its kind undertaken by the BMW Group anywhere to date, and
it is a clear and firm demonstration of our commitment to our host
country. We are very pleased to play a part in helping to showcase
Singapore's strengths as a major financial centre, as well as its
efficiency and vision. The BMW 7 Series that we are providing to the
VIPs attending the meetings is proving once again to be the ideal car
for leaders." Intense preparations Intensive preparations, which
began last year, are being made to support the largest and most
comprehensive event of its kind to be held in Singapore. The planning
and preparation process commenced with a memorandum of understanding,
signed between the Government of Singapore, BMW Asia and Performance
Motors in March 2005, resulting in the provision of 451 units of the
long wheelbase BMW 7 Series limousines. In May this year, recruitment
for chauffeurs drew over 1,650 enthusiastic applicants. However, after
a rigorous screening and selection process, only 700 chauffeur trainees
were identified. They were trained by PML's BMW Driver Trainers in the
familiarization and handling of the BMW 7 Series limousines. The aim -
to provide VIP delegates with the highest standard of service possible.
To date, 600 chauffeurs have been chosen for S2006 duty. Aside from
coordinating the logistics requirements behind chauffeur staffing, PML
will handle round-the-clock technical assistance and related expenses
such as the fuel, maintenance and insurance for the limousines spanning
the entire duration of the meetings, in a partnership worth more than
S$10 million. 'Extra mile' efforts "It is a great honour for
Performance Motors and its staff to be involved in the premier
financial event for the world's most influential leaders. It also
represents a significant challenge, but I am confident that with our
track record, our professionalism and dedication, we will provide
service and logistical support to the highest standard, thereby
underpinning one of the key pillars for the event's undoubted
success," said Mr Simon Rock, Managing Director of Performance
Motors Limited. A team of more than 100 PML staff comprising the
steering committee, managers, administrative, technical and support
staff will be working round-the-clock in tandem with the S2006
Transport Sub-Committee over the month of September to ensure the
logistical success of the event and the comfort of Singapore's VIP
guests. Preparation has been detailed, covering all aspects relating to
the delivery, maintenance as well as eventual return of the cars at the
end of the meetings. The Singapore 2006 meetings of the IMF and World
Bank will culminate in over a quarter of a million man-hours of
dedicated work by both companies. S2006 Quick Logistical Facts Value of
S2006 partnership: More than S$10 million Value of BMW 7 Series
limousine fleet: S$134,398,000 Staff supporting S2006 BMW limousine
fleet: BMW Driver Training staff - 6 Customer relations / hospitality
staff - 26 Vehicle reception check staff - 14 Road marshals / Drivers /
Ushers - 14 Data entry staff - 9 Key tagging staff /Registration plate
issuing staff - 7 Car key and security protocol staff - 14 Software
backup staff - 4 Refuelling staff - 4 BMW Technical support staff - 36
Steering committee - 12 Total: 146 Key Dates Largest limousine fleet
wash - 10 to 11am, Sunday 10 September 2006 Limousine convoy transfer to
Suntec - 10 pm, Monday 11 September 2006