Driving Change, a new consumer report from BMW

Drivers are ready to buy more energy efficient cars but only if they can still
deliver the highest levels of driving dynamics. And while modern-day motorists
are opting for lower emission cars, it's not to save the planet, it's because
the cars will be kinder to their wallets.


While the environment is fast becoming an issue, with 20 per cent of Britons
now saying they look at CO2 levels when buying a new car, new research
announced by BMW today also reveals their honest motivations. Three quarters
of motorists would purchase a lower-emissions car only if it saved them money.
These are the conclusions of the Driving Change report in which BMW quizzed
2,068 motorists(1).

Car choice - the bottom line
When questioned why they thought people choose to drive a more environmentally
friendly car, 59 per cent of respondents identified lower bills as being the
main reason whereas only 13 per cent cited reduced emissions as the key motive.

In the current economic environment and with higher-than-usual fuel costs, the
report highlights how choosing a more fuel efficient car can make substantial
savings. Using BMW's EfficientDynamics technologies, all BMW cars are more
fuel efficient than their competitors. According to independent studies, the
BMW 123d Coupé uses £127.52 less fuel per 10,000 miles than its closest
competitor. In addition, the BMW 318d SE Saloon uses £182.55 less fuel per
10,000 miles than the Mercedes C-Class C200 CDi Elegance.

And the savings don't stop there. Motorists who buy lower emission vehicles pay
less in car taxes, while higher polluting cars are likely to depreciate more as
demand increases for low emission vehicles. To compare cars in the Executive
class, it's easy to see the impact made by EfficientDynamics technologies:

Model + Version / CO2 Emissions (g/km) / Combined Fuel Consumption (mpg) /
Vehicle Excise Duty Band / Annual Car Tax (£) / % Residual Value after 3 yrs or
30,000 miles

BMW 520d SE Saloon / 136 / 55.4 / C / 120 / 58
Audi A6 SE TDI / 151 / 48.7 / D / 145 / 41
Mercedes Benz E220 Cdi Saloon / 160 / 46.3 / D / 145 / 52
Saab 9-5 Vector Sport TiD / 174 / 44.1 / E / 170 / 38

Please see downloadable document for clear table of data

Power and performance
The report highlights that it's not enough to simply be seen in a more
efficient car. 21st century consumers have high expectations - as well as low
fuel costs, they are demanding premium performance as well. And contrary to
popular perception, cars can be both fuel efficient and powerful - BMW makes
models that can hit 140mph and return 70 mpg(4).

Richard Hudson, Marketing Director for BMW UK, said: "This report has provided
tremendous insights in to the honest motivations for today's consumers. It's
all very well to offer more efficient products, but unless the quality and
performance also progress, they simply won't sell."

The move to cleaner technology
As one in five Britons says their carbon footprint is now their top priority
when choosing a car, compared to zero stating this two decades ago(2),
motorists are also becoming more aware of their options. The survey reveals
more than one in two people (54 per cent) correctly say a diesel-engined car is
more efficient over long distances than a current, comparably-sized, hybrid.

Indeed, independent studies(3) into fuel economy show BMW's diesel models fare
better on long motorway journeys than similar vehicles from Audi and Mercedes
and even the hybrid Toyota Prius.

While many drivers believe current hybrid vehicles have shortcomings and are
not always the cleanest and most efficient, or the best driving experience, the
industry is moving towards cleaner energy. And Driving Change reveals that
over a third of Brits (36 per cent) believe the car manufacturing industry has
done more than any other to reduce carbon emissions.

Hudson continues: "In the current climate, finance is an overwhelming issue
and external factors like the Government's CO2-related taxes and the rising
cost of fuel are all having an impact. More and more people are considering
emissions alongside their longer-term cost savings when buying cars. On top of
that is a social pressure about the environment that models featuring BMW
EfficientDynamics technologies work well to relieve. They balance the desire
for high performance and an engaging driving experience with improved fuel
consumption and lower CO2 emissions."

In facing the challenges of 21st century living where consumers demand
excellence in performance, lower costs and less impact on the environment,
Driving Change reveals that the industry has responded - through innovation,
new technology and real results.

The BMW EfficientDynamics programme is inspiring engineers to constantly
evaluate ways in which BMW models can be significantly more fuel-efficient
whilst continuing to develop the driving experience. And to highlight the
success of the programme, over 800,000 EfficientDynamics-equipped cars will be
sold by the BMW Group worldwide in 2008. The EfficientDynamics principle has
led to an evolving array of innovations that benefit the driver by reducing
fuel consumption and emissions levels and, crucially, saving them money, whilst
still improving performance.

Ends

The further information about the report, please contact Not Actual Size:

Charlie Hamilton on 07768 990 469 or Charlie@NotActualSize.co.uk
Charlotte Sutton on 07958 279 240 or Charlotte@NotActualSize.co.uk
Dan Holliday on 07876 743 752 or Dan@NotActualSize.co.uk

For further information about BMW, please contact:

Gavin Ward BMW Media Relations Manager
Tel: 01344 480829 Email: Gavin.Ward@bmw.co.uk

Duncan Forrester New Media Public Relations Manager
Tel: 01344 480855 Email: Duncan.Forrester@bmw.co.uk

Mark Harrison Corporate Communications Manager
Tel: 01344 480113 Email: Mark.Harrison@bmw.co.uk

Chris Willows Corporate Communications Director
Tel: 01344 480109 Email: Chris.Willows@bmw.co.uk

Press office fax: 01344 480306
Media website: www.press.bmwgroup.com

Note to editors
1) All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample
size was 2,068 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 15th - 18th August
2008. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and
are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+). 60% of the respondents are
motorists
2) According to 'The Most Important Issues Facing Britain Today', research
amongst 1,000 people in June 1988 by Ipsos Mori
3) EMMOX data via www.bmw.co.uk car comparator
4) BMW 320d Saloon vital statistics:
• Average mpg: 58.9
• Out of town mpg: 68.9
• Urban mpg: 47.1
• 128g/km CO2
• 175bhp
• 143mph
• 0-60 mph in 7.9 seconds
5) Photography available at www.press.bmwgroup.com