BMW WELT VEHICLE DELIVERY AND EVENT CENTRE DESIGNED BY COOP HIMMELB(I)AU WINS RIBA EUROPEAN AWARD

Munich. Since 1966, the Royal Institute of British Architects in London has
given the RIBA Award to selected buildings that fulfil the highest
architectural quality standards. The RIBA is the renowned professional
association representing British architects. Amongst the founders of the
institute in 1834 were architects such as Philip Hardwick, Thomas Allom,
William Donthorne, Thomas Leverton Donaldson and John Buonarotti Papworth. To
this day, the RIBA Award is one or the world's most significant prizes for
architecture.

In 2006, the award-winners included Zaha Hadid and Mayer Bahrle, who were
honoured for their Phaeno experimental landscape in Wolfsburg, and the team of
architects Richard Meier & Partners for the Frieder Burda Foundation in Baden
Baden. This year, BMW can be proud of the masterly architectural achievement
BMW Welt. Both architect and client have been honoured. Ever since the
construction of the Munich buildings conceived for the BMW Group by Karl
Schwanzer in the nineteen seventies, and Hadid's central building erected at
the BMW Leipzig plant in 2005, the company has focused on innovative design for
its external architectural presentation. Dr. Herbert Grebenc, Head of BMW Group
Real Estate and Facility Management, is thrilled at the award being given to
BMW Welt. "The BMW brand experience is linked in a new and fascinating way to
this building and its challenging architecture, which was designed by Coop
Himmelb(l)au. More than a million enthralled visitors during the first six
months are impressive proof of the project's success."

The well-known Viennese team of architects Coop Himmelb(l)au built the new
vehicle delivery and event centre, which opened its doors in 2007, in the
immediate vicinity of the BMW "four cylinder" headquarters building. The
visionary double cone construction is the architectural and communicative
source of the building, over which there stretches a seemingly floating,
cloud-like roof. Beneath it, the various facilities - showroom, restaurant and
vehicle delivery centre are visible. A revolving stage moves exhibition
highlights into the desired position. The lounge-like lower floor offers an
opportunity to savour and reflect on each exhibition theme. From the
self-supporting spiral staircase inside the double cone, one has the best view
of activities. At the top end of the staircase, visitors have access to the
gallery. This seven and a half metre high bridge connects BMW Welt with the
museum and the factory premises.

In addition to the newly opened BMW Museum and the legendary four cylinder
headquarters building, BMW Welt provides the Munich location with another
landmark that creates not only a meaningful experience, but also reflects
successful and sustainable technological optimisation.

Information about the RIBA Award as well as photographic material for
downloading can be viewed at
http://www.architecture.com/Awards/RIBAEuropeanAwards/RIBAEuropeanAwards.aspx

Visit www.bmw-welt.com for information about BMW Welt.

Further information on BMW Group cultural commitment can be obtained at
www.bmwgroup.com/kultur

For questions please contact:

BMW Group Corporate Communications
Thomas Girst, Spokesperson Cultural Communications
Telephone: +49 89 382 24753, Fax: +49 89 382 28017

Helmut Pöschl, Spokesperson BMW Welt
Phone: +49 89 382 45500, Fax: +49 89 382 45501

Website: www.press.bmwgroup.com/culture
e-mail: presse@bmw.de