Hydrogen in the Oil Emirate: The CleanEnergy WorldTour 2001 Kicks Off in Dubai

         Sheik Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum is Patron of the Event

    DUBAI, United Emirates, Feb. 1 On February 1st the BMW
hydrogen fleet will begin its world tour.  The first stop and starting point
of the "CleanEnergy WorldTour 2001" is Dubai (City), the up-and-coming
metropolis on the Persian Gulf.  The governing Sheik Mohammed Bin Rashid Al
Maktoum has agreed to be patron of the event.
    In Europe the fleet of fifteen BMW 750hl models has already covered over
100,000 kilometers with success and has proved that the hydrogen automobile
with internal combustion engine has been technically implemented.  The BMW
Group, the world's first manufacturer to build a small series of hydrogen
cars, is continuing in its commitment to the cleanest energy of the future by
holding events for politics, science and the media.
    Dubai offered itself as the ideal starting point for the WorldTour: the
emirate is one of the centers of the global energy supply and is considered to
be highly future-oriented.  Successful projects such as the world's first
Internet City emphasise the country's innovative power.  In addition Dubai
awards the largest environment prize, The "Zayed International Prize for the
Environment."  Various projects in the areas of regenerative energy and
environmental protection have already been launched with international
cooperation.  Since Dubai is located on the earth's sunbelt, the initiative of
the BMW Group for the regenerative production of hydrogen met with
constructive interest.
    About one year ago the BMW Group already participated at the
"International Conference and Exhibition on desertification", where the
hydrogen-powered 7 Series sedan was one of the greatest attractions.
    Dr. Mohammed Bin Fahed, Chairman of the Zayed International Prize,
supports the BMW CleanEnergy Strategy:  "There is compelling evidence that
global warming and climate change is underway, affecting human health,
habitats, wildlife, and economies around the world.  If the trend is to be
stemmed, it is necessary to switch to clean energy sources, including those
for automobiles," he stresses.  "BMW's efforts in developing hydrogen as an
alternative clean energy source are highly appreciated by the environmental
institutions and organisations worldwide.  After all, the fossil fuel reserves
will not last forever," he adds.
    bp, one of the leading global players in the energy sector and partner of
the Dubai event, also sees the necessity of gaining hydrogen from regenerative
energies in the future and therefore is dedicating itself to the CleanEnergy
WorldTour 2001.  CO2 emissions, which are considered to be the main influence
on the world climate, can only be reduced in the long-term by using
regeneratively produced hydrogen.  Apart from bp, the German company Linde AG
-- a worldwide supplier of hydrogen -- is also participating in the event.
Linde is not only a partner in research for tank systems, but also a supplier
for liquified hydrogen and refill facilities throughout the CleanEnergy
WorldTour.

    BMW 750hl is the first series-produced hydrogen automobile in the world
    In May 2000 the BMW Group presented the first series-produced hydrogen car
to the world.  This successfully initiated the process for spreading hydrogen
as the energy source of the future.  Parallel to this an exhibition in the
Transport Centre of the Deutsches Museum in Munich, held on the occasion of
the EXPO 2000, informed the public about the production and utilisation of
CleanEnergy.
    As part of the CleanEnergy WorldTour 2001, the BMW Group will continue to
promote this process worldwide by means of international events for the world
of politics, science and the media.
    After its launch in Dubai, the Tour will visit other cities too, such as
Brussels, Milan, Tokyo and Los Angeles.
    The focus of the CleanEnergy WorldTour 2001 is on the lasting character of
the "production -- distribution -- utilisation of hydrogen in automobiles"
process.  At each of the individual tour stops, specific aspects of the
process will be highlighted.
    In Dubai, for example, the main issue will be the production of hydrogen
with the help of the unlimited supply of solar energy.  In Tokyo and Los
Angeles the emissions-free operation of hydrogen vehicles will be the main
theme.  In Europe the Tour will focus on the distribution of hydrogen as well
as on the definition of norms and standards necessary to help hydrogen
technology achieve market breakthrough.

    Cross-reference:  Photos are available at:
    http://recherche.newsaktuell.de/story.htx?nr=216601&action=bigpic&att=6205

    http://recherche.newsaktuell.de/story.htx?nr=216601&action=bigpic&att=6206
    Caption: The BMW hydrogen fleet World Tour started in the Dubai Emirates

    For questions please contact:
    Corporate Communications

    Andreas Klugescheid, Product and Engineering, Technology and Innovation
    Telefon: +49-89-382-25506, Fax: +49-89-382-27563

    Thomas Gubitz, Product and Engineering, Technology and Innovation
    Telefon: +49-89-382-23504, Fax: +49-89-382-27563

    Internet:  http://www.press.bmwgroup.com
    e-mail:  presse@bmw.de