BMW and Thomas Steinbruck Announce Partnership; BMW Design Chief Chris Bangle Forges Fashion Relationship in New York

    NEW YORK, Jan. 24 Tonight, at an exclusive event for
designers held at BMW of Manhattan, BMW Chief of Design Chris Bangle unveiled
the BMW X coupe concept vehicle to New Yorkers and shared his vision on the
future of automotive design, in a presentation entitled "Design for Life."
Mr. Bangle surprised the crowd at the conclusion of his presentation when he
invited rising fashion star, Thomas Steinbruck, to join him at the podium.
Linking arms, the two designers grinned and announced a partnership that will
launch on February 11, 2001, when Mr. Steinbruck will debut his Fall 2001
Fashion Collection at BMW of Manhattan in conjunction with Seventh on Sixth.
    "We share a simple, clean design philosophy," stated BMW Group Director of
Design Chris Bangle,  "and view design as an expression of the emotion and
passion within.  We are both inspired by classics yet create innovative
design.  We each turn to nature and the environment for stimulation.  Most
importantly, Thomas and I are each completely committed to quality and meaning
in everything that we create."
    "I am truly delighted to be collaborating with BMW," stated Thomas
Steinbruck.  "We have the same core values.  We strive to create beautiful,
dynamic, light and accessible pieces for our customers.  It is all about
creating a look that is very sleek, refined and elegant.  I travel the globe
seeking the finest quality materials for my collection and BMW does the same
for its cars, motorcycles and SAVs."
    The BMW X coupe concept vehicle, hot off its worldwide debut at the North
American International Auto Show in Detroit, introduces a totally new design
concept.  Dramatically different from anything that BMW has ever created, the
designers have charged the shape of the vehicle with a high-energy field of
tension.  The tension is created with asymmetric lines, surprising
combinations of materials and creative paradoxes throughout.  It is a sport
coupe with a turbodiesel engine that can go off-road.  Along the doors and on
the dash, surfaces flow from concave to convex and back again.  The sleek
interior is made possible by BMW's iDrive ergonomic concept which eliminates
the need for so many buttons and knobs by replacing them with a controller
positioned between the driver and passenger.  An eye-level color monitor
clearly displays the navigation system, comfort, communications and driver
assistance functions.  The BMW X coupe will be on view at BMW of Manhattan
only until Saturday, January 27 before the vehicle returns to Europe.
    The new Thomas Steinbruck collection appeals to a modern, elegant and
youthful woman whose lifestyle embodies confidence, grace and sophistication.
Drawing inspiration from his latest travels and the many women he met along
the way, Steinbruck has incorporated rich, vibrant, earthy colors into his
newest collection, which he themed  "Celebration of Women."   The collection
will showcase a wide range of women of all ages and ethnic backgrounds, all of
whom are united by their individual beauty and sophistication.
    Chris Bangle is Director of Design in the Development Division of BMW
Group in Munich, Germany.  Mr. Bangle has been working in this capacity since
October 1992, after serving as the Director of Fiat Centro Stile/Design.  Mr.
Bangle held various positions at Fiat Centro Stile, including Head of Exterior
Design and Head of the Exterior Studio.  Mr. Bangle's design philosophy is
featured in the January 2001 issue of the Harvard Business Review.
    Thomas Steinbruck's prestigious background includes: graduating from the
Studio Bercot and L'Ecole de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne in
Paris, France; apprenticing with Gianfranco Ferre for the House of Christian
Dior, and in America, for Geoffrey Beene and Gemma Khang.  Mr. Steinbruck was
the recipient of the Fall 2001 Moet & Chandon Designer Debut Award and has
dressed various celebrities and socialites including Susan Sarandon and the
Miller sisters.
    BMW of Manhattan, Inc., BMW of North America's corporate flagship store,
is one of the largest BMW Centers in the U.S.  In addition to serving the New
York market's sales and service needs, the 200,000 square-foot location on
57th Street is a focal point for the BMW marque.  "We are very proud to
showcase a piece of BMW's future and present its creator, Director of BMW
design, Chris Bangle," states General Manager Jeff Falk.  "It represents a
unique opportunity for us to reward our customers and the NY community with a
special insight."
    BMW of North America was established in 1975.  Since then, the company has
grown to include marketing, sales and financial service organizations in the
United States; 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.  BMW 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 products is available to consumers via the World
Wide Web on the BMW homepage.  The address is: http://www.bmwusa.com.