BMW FINANCIAL SERVICES TAKES UNCERTAINTY OUT OF LEASE-END CAR RETURNS New Self-Inspection Program Puts Customers in the Driver's Seat

In an effort to make life easier for drivers of leased vehicles, BMW Financial
Services (BMW FS) today unveiled a new customer-driven self-inspection program
for the U.S. market.

The new program, designed to take uncertainty out of lease-end car return, lets
the customer conduct a vehicle inspection at home - before having the
inspection validated - and minimize the surprises that sometimes come at the
termination of a lease.

"People who lease cars will tell you that they are uncertain of what to expect
from lease end inspections...especially if they return a car with extra miles
or minor wear and use," says Bob Devine, Managing Director of BMW FS in the
United States. "In an effort to alleviate their concerns and build more solid
relationships with our customers, we created this easy-to-use measuring tool
and cost sheet. We tested it in focus groups, and learned that many of our
customers and retailers really like the concept, the tool and the ability to
estimate their lease-end charges in advance "

Among the most innovative tools provided by the program is an inspection wheel
- a device that measures small dents, scratches and dings. The transparent,
circular device is about the size of a compact disk and looks like a "bulls
eye." It is easily held up against damage to estimate the cost. Additionally,
the inspection wheel evaluates windshield cracks and tire- tread depth.

A comprehensive lease-end inspection form is also provided; it details specific
dollar amounts for damages measured by the device. The form also covers excess
mileage and parts charges such as worn tires, missing keys and broken
headlights. "The self-evaluation process is optional," said Devine.
"Customers may choose either a dealer-administrated appraisal or an independent
inspection."

Also part of BMW's program is a "90 Days To Go" package including
self-inspection materials that help facilitate the lease-end process. The
package provides customers with a reference guide outlining lease-end options
that include releasing, refinancing and purchasing. If, after reading these
sections the customer still wishes to return their BMW (hopefully to lease or
purchase another vehicle), the package includes a vehicle turn-in checklist
wear and use guidelines. The checklist is designed to help customers through
the closing of their lease while the guidelines give examples of acceptable and
unacceptable conditions for evaluating vehicle wear and use.

BMW Financial Services

BMW Financial Services of North America was established in 1992 as a captive
finance company to support the North and Latin American sales and marketing
efforts of the BMW Group. With over $11 billion in managed assets and more
than 364,000 customers, BMW FS leases or finances over half of the new BMW
vehicles sold in the U.S. BMW FS employs about 400 people, most of whom are
located in the Dublin, Ohio Customer Service Center. BMW FS also services the
Canadian market and recently opened a new Financial Services company in Brazil.

BMW Financial Services provides a wide range of leasing, retail, commercial,
banking and insurance products tailored to meet the needs of BMW customers and
dealers. All lease servicing, including credit underwriting, funding,
customer service, title administration, lease-end and collections are handled
at the Dublin customer service center. A growing portfolio of banking, credit
card and insurance offerings is also available through the BMW Bank of North
America.

BMW Group in America

BMW of North America has been present in the United States since 1975. Since
then, the BMW Group in the United States has grown to include marketing, sales
and financial service organizations for the BMW and MINI brands; a South
Carolina manufacturing operation; DESIGNWORKS/USA, an industrial design firm in
California; a technology office in Silicon Valley and various other operations
throughout the country. The BMW Group is represented in the U.S. through a
network of more than 340 car, 315 Sports Activity Vehicle and 160 motorcycle
retailers. BMW US Holding Corp., the Group's headquarters for North, Central
and South America, is located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.

Information about BMW Group products is available to consumers via the World
Wide Web on the BMW homepage at http://www.bmwusa.com and www.miniusa.com.