BMW Group Financial Services Honors More than 200 BMW Group Dealers

In “Driving Force” Program for Excellence in Business

Donation made to The Seeing Eye Guide Dog Organization on behalf of dealerships

Woodcliff Lake, NJ, July 12, 2010 -- For more than a decade, BMW Group Financial Services has annually been recognizing a select group of BMW Group retail centers for their outstanding commitment to BMW Group Financial Services by awarding them entry into the company’s coveted “Driving Force” program.  This year, for the second time, dealer members will additionally be acknowledged as donors to the NJ-based “The Seeing Eye” organization, further representing the commitment that a strong partnership can provide.   More than 200 BMW Group dealers have earned the “Driving Force” stature for 2009-2010 and each represents the best in ongoing support and dedication to the brand.

According to Ed Robinson, president and CEO of BMW Group Financial Services, “Those volunteers that are a part of The Seeing Eye Foundation are motivated by a sense of independence, and through their involvement with the program provide an extra edge to attain success – our Driving Force dealer members have all found a similar edge in their partnership with the BMW Group.”  Robinson noted that dealers that have earned “Driving Force” distinction are recognized for their exceptional level of commitment to BMW Group Financial Services and the company is both fortunate and proud to have such valued business partners.

BMW Group Financial Services, which offers leasing, retail and wholesale financing services to BMW owners and dealerships, created the Driving Force in 1998 as a way to recognize supportive retailers for their commercial commitments to BMW Group Financial Services.  Today, these investments have helped the company's portfolio exceed $30 billion in serviced assets. 

Additional acknowledgement for the individual honored dealers includes an invitation to the company’s annual “Driving Force Event,” a two-day program recognizing the dealers’ ongoing business partnership with BMW Group Financial Services.  This year’s program will be held at the famed Newport Coast Pelican Hill Resort in Southern California.

It is in the spirit of partnership, Robinson notes, that BMW Group Financial Services has made a donation to The Seeing Eye Foundation on behalf of this year’s newly appointed Driving Force members.  "We are committed to support the thousands of men, women and canine companions who demonstrate the true meaning of partnership every day," Robinson adds. 

This is the second Driving Force donation made to The Seeing Eye to sponsor a puppy-in-training.  Last year’s Driving Force-sponsored pup, Jagger, was raised by his foster family for one year, and is now at the Seeing Eye headquarters in New Jersey undergoing a rigorous training program before he is placed with a blind partner.

The newest pup is a yellow Labrador Retriever named Taylor.  “We expect great things from him!” Robinson says.

About BMW Group Financial Services

BMW Group Financial Services was established in the U.S. in 1992 to support the sales and marketing efforts of BMW of North America.   Since then, the group has expanded to provide service to markets in multiple countries and continues to evolve beyond its role as a captive finance unit. 

BMW Group Financial Services offers a wide range of leasing, retail and commercial financing and banking products tailored to meet the needs of the BMW customer. The group also provides financing to BMW dealers for expanding dealership capabilities and enhancing overall operations. With more than $30 billion in serviced assets and 850,000 automotive lending customers, BMW Group Financial Services finances about half of the BMWs sold or leased in the United States.   BMW Group Financial Services employs nearly 1,000 people, including consultants and temporary workers, most of whom are located in the Hilliard, Ohio Customer Service Center.

In 2001, the MINI Financial Services division was established to provide support for the brand’s dealer and customer networks by offering various financing and leasing options.    Alphera Financial Services was established in 2006 to provide financial services to dealers who are not part of the BMW and MINI networks.

BMW Group Financial Services also offers credit card products through its subsidiary, the BMW Bank of North America.  up2drive.com is a division of BMW Bank of North America, a wholly-owned subsidiary of BMW Financial Services NA, LLC.  BMW Insurance Agency, Inc., a property and casualty producer, is also part of BMW Group Financial Services.

Information about BMW Group products is available to consumers via the Internet at:

www.bmwgroupna.com
www.bmwusa.com
www.bmwmotorradusa.com
www.miniusa.com
www.rolls-roycemotorcars.com

About The Seeing Eye®
The Seeing Eye Inc., a pioneer and innovator of dog guide services, celebrates more than 80 years of commitment and is the oldest existing guide dog school in the world.  Located in Morristown, New Jersey, the organization has partnered with blind or visually impaired people who wish to enhance their independence, dignity and self-confidence.  Each month, 24 visually impaired students from the United States and Canada spend four weeks at the New Jersey campus to work and train with their dogs.  Approximately 15,000 specially bred and trained dogs have brought a new level of mobility, safety and self-sufficiency to nearly 8,000 blind or visually impaired owners.  For more information, visit www.seeingeye.org .

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