BMW Group Donates $1 Million to American Red Cross to Aid Victims of Hurricane Katrina

WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J., Sept. 7 -- The BMW Group has pledged a donation of $1 million to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund to aid the victims of Hurricane Katrina. In addition to that contribution, each of the BMW companies based in the U.S. will match employee contributions. There are more than 7,000 employees based in BMW companies in the U.S.

BMW Financial Services is working with customers individually to develop extended payment plans to its BMW and MINI customers. Additionally, many other relief efforts are underway, organized by various employees, departments and divisions of BMW in the U.S.

"Our hearts go out to all those who have been adversely affected by this disaster and we want to offer financial assistance, in addition to our thoughts and prayers," said Tom Purves, chairman and CEO of BMW (US) Holding Corp.

BMW AG, with worldwide headquarters in Munich, Germany, has multiple business units in the U.S., including BMW of North America, LLC, Woodcliff Lake, NJ; BMW Manufacturing Co., Spartanburg, SC, BMW Financial Services, Dublin, OH, Woodcliff Lake, NJ and Salt Lake City; DesignworksUSA, Newbury Park, CA and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, Ltd., Woodcliff Lake, NJ. MINI USA, is a division of BMW of North America, LLC and located in Woodcliff Lake, NJ.