The BMW Group becomes a member of the Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS. A further milestone in the struggle against the disease.

Washington/Munich. The BMW Group joins the Global Business Coalition on
HIV/AIDS. 200 leading international companies have joined forces in this
world-wide organisation to fight against HIV and Aids. The main activities of
this network of companies comprise measures for prevention and treatment of the
disease and the enhancement of the effectiveness of programmes.

"The GBC harnesses the immense power of business to fight the global HIV and
Aids pandemic," said Ambassador Richard Holbrooke, President and CEO of the
Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS yesterday in Washington, DC, on the
occasion of the announcement of the membership of the BMW Group. The gala
attracted many dignitaries, among them Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, U.S.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and American actress Angelina Jolie. "In
the BMW Group we have been able to win a world-wide respected partner for the
prevention and treatment of the disease", Holbrooke said. "With its exemplary
programme, the BMW Group has developed innovative and above all effective
measures in the struggle against the illness. A fine example is the initiative
of BMW South Africa. We are so pleased to have them join us and we look forward
to working with them to develop new ways of addressing this global health
crisis."

Not only Africa is threatened by HIV and Aids, but also other regions. The
pandemic poses a crisis for economic growth as well as to the existences of
whole countries. The infection is still spreading. Around 40 million people
world-wide are suffering from HIV and Aids. Organisations such as the Global
Business Coalition are making an important contribution to the fight against
the disease.

The BMW Group traditionally considers itself in regard to be responsible for
the society of which it is a part. Ernst Baumann, Member of the Board of
Directors of the BMW AG, therefore sees in the programmes of the company
against HIV and Aids an expression of entrepreneurial sense of responsibility:
"This pandemic is not only a considerable threat to our society but also to the
economy. All of us must therefore undertake increased efforts to bring
prevention and treatment further forward." Partnerships between the public and
private sectors could forge a strong instrument in the struggle against the
disease, Baumann says. The engagement in the Global Business Coalition is an
integral part of international activities against HIV and Aids, encouraged by
the BMW Group. Baumann: "We see in this an excellent possibility of passing on
to NGOs, companies and the community our many years of experience and knowledge
we have gathered within the course of our programmes."

Further information about the GBC are to be found on the Internet under
www.businessfightsaids.org.