BMW 7 Series Recognized as the Luxury Automobile That Most Excites Its Owners

29 August 1997

             BMW Receives J.D. Power and Associates 'APEAL' Award
                        In Premium Luxury Car Segment

    WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J., Aug. 28 -- The BMW 7 Series sedan
ranked highest in the premium luxury car segment in J.D. Power and Associates'
APEAL study, released today.  BMW's flagship model also received the highest
point total of any car or truck in the study -- 842 points -- more than
25 percent higher than the industry average of 693 points.
    This marks the third consecutive year that BMW automobiles have received
this prestigious and sought-after award.  In 1995, the BMW 7 Series sedan
topped the luxury category while the 325i sedan was named the most appealing
mid-size car.  Last year, the 3 Series line received the highest award in the
entry-luxury category.
    According to J.D. Power and Associates, the APEAL Study (APEAL stands for
Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout) is the first study of
significance to measure how owners feel about their car -- a quantifiable
measurement of the intangibles that form the relationship between a vehicle
and its owner.  Specifically, the study analyzes such areas as styling, engine
and transmission performance, comfort and convenience, ride and handling,
seats, heating, cooling and ventilation, cockpit layout, instrument panel and
sound system.
    "For years our owners have been telling us about the exceptional quality
and performance of BMW automobiles.  It's heartening that the APEAL study is
able to tap in to this enthusiasm.  We're extremely pleased," commented Victor
Doolan, president of BMW of North America.
    The BMW 7 Series combines high performance with the ultimate in luxury
while maintaining the BMW tradition of being a "driver's car."  The current 7
Series generation has met with high acclaim since it was first introduced in
1995, receiving numerous awards and accolades from independent critical
sources and was named the Robb Report's 1995 Car of the Year.
    BMW entered the North American market in 1975.  Since then, the company
has grown to include marketing, sales and financial services organizations in
the United States and Canada; a South Carolina manufacturing operation; a
design firm in California; and various other operations throughout the U.S.
and Canada.  BMW is represented in North America through a network of more
than 375 automobile and 190 motorcycle retailers in the United States and
Canada.  BMW (US) Holding Corp., the brand's North American headquarters, is
located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.
    Information about BMW products is available to consumers via the
 World Wide Web on the BMW homepage.  The address is: http://www.bmwusa.com.

SOURCE  BMW Holding Corp.