BMW 730Ld is the Professional Driver chauffeur car of choice

The BMW 730Ld Saloon has been crowned Car of the Year at the Professional Driver Car of the Year Awards 2011, while also taking the title of Chauffeur Car of the Year.  Not to be outdone, the BMW 530d Gran Turismo retained its title of Executive Car of the Year for the second year in a row.

The BMW 7 Series was commended for its unrivalled mix of passenger luxury, low running cost and driver satisfaction making it the ideal chauffer car both for the driver and the driven.  Its exceptional quality and improved fuel consumption, along with an excellent manufacturer-backed chauffeur programme clinched the title.

The 5 Series Gran Turismo was praised for its abundance of rear leg room, command driving position, its sheer versatility and high quality.   Its unique interior packaging matched with the choice of powerful yet economic drivetrains and an outstanding satellite navigation system, earned the 5 Series Gran Turismo its title as the judges applauded it as a car made for chauffeuring.

Mark Bursa, editor of Professional Driver magazine and chair of the judging panel, said: “The BMW 730Ld offers an exceptional mix of comfort, rear-seat luxury and driveability. Since 2009, the 7 Series has been improved, with better fuel economy now above 40mpg combined. And crucially, it's part of a beefed-up manufacturer-backed chauffeur programme that makes it much more affordable for chauffeurs on a lease basis than either the Jaguar XJL or the Mercedes S-class”

Stephen Chater, BMW Group Corporate Operations Manager, said: “We are delighted to win these awards showing the 7 Series and 5 Series Gran Turismo to be class leading competitors in the chauffeur market.  They highlight everything that BMW believe in; building cars of the highest quality that, thanks to EfficientDynamics, are amongst the most efficient in their sector.”

A total of 33 cars were entered for the Professional Driver Magazine Car of the Year Awards, which were judged by more than thirty judges from the chauffeuring and private hire sector and the motoring media.

The BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo and the BMW 7 Series are available on the BMW Chauffeur Programme, offering competitive contract hire rates, enhanced specification packages and predictable running costs.

To make these vehicles appeal to the driver as well as the driven, tailored benefits include BMW Service Inclusive, which lasts for 5 years or 60,000 miles and covers all of the vehicle's basic servicing requirements.  As part of the programme, professional drivers are also covered in the event of an immobilisation which cannot be repaired at the roadside.  Should this occur a replacement vehicle which is PCO licensed for London, can be provided, giving operators peace of mind that clients will always be catered for to the highest standards.  London PCO licensed demonstrators are also now available, so customers can put the vehicles to the test with their clients.

For more information on the BMW Chauffeur Programme visit www.bmwcorporate.co.uk/chauffeur.

Ends

The BMW Group

With its three brands – BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce – the BMW Group is one of the world’s most successful premium manufacturers of cars and motorcycles. It operates internationally with 24 production sites in 13 countries and a global sales network with representation in more than 140 countries.

During the financial year 2010, the BMW Group sold 1.46 million cars and more than 110,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax for 2010 was euro 4.8 billion on revenues amounting to euro 60.5 billion. At 31 December 2010, the BMW Group had a workforce of approximately 95,500 employees.

The success of the BMW Group has always been built on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain, comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy. As a result of its efforts, the BMW Group has been ranked industry leader in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes for the last six years.

For further information please contact:

Krystyna Kozlowska            BMW Media Relations Assistant

Tel: 01344 480707             Email: Krystyna.Kozlowska@bmw.co.uk

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

Wieland Bruch                      Corporate Communications Manager

Tel: 01344 480113             Email: Wieland.Bruch@bmw.co.uk

Graham Biggs                       Corporate Communications Director

Tel:  01344 480109            Email:  Graham.Biggs@bmw.co.uk

Main office number:            01344 480320

Media website:                    www.press.bmwgroup.co.uk

Customer website:              www.bmw.co.uk