Press Release - BMW Financial Services

For Release:  IMMEDIATE

Contact:       Martha McKinley				Ilene
Lefland/Maureen O'Connell
		Business Communications Manager	Jacobs & Prosek Public
Relations
		BMW of North America, LLC		203-378-1152
		201-307-3786


BMW FINANCIAL SERVICES TAKES UNCERTAINTY
 OUT OF LEASE-END CAR RETURNS

New Self-Inspection Program Puts Customers in the Driver's Seat

WOODCLIFF LAKE, NEW JERSEY, August 3, 2001... In an effort to make life
easier for drivers of leased vehicles, BMW Financial Services (BMW FS) today
unveiled a new customer-driven self-inspection program for the U.S. market.


The new program, designed to take uncertainty out of lease-end car return,
lets the customer conduct a vehicle inspection at home - before having the
inspection validated - and minimize the surprises that sometimes come at the
termination of a lease.  
"People who lease cars will tell you that they are uncertain of what to
expect from lease end inspections...especially if they return a car with
extra miles or minor wear and use," says Bob Devine, Managing Director of
BMW FS in the United States.  "In an effort to alleviate their concerns and
build more solid relationships with our customers, we created this
easy-to-use measuring tool and cost sheet.  We tested it in focus groups,
and learned that many of our customers and retailers really like the
concept, the tool and the ability to estimate their lease-end charges in
advance "

Among the most innovative tools provided by the program is an inspection
wheel - a device that measures small dents, scratches and dings. The
transparent, circular device is about the size of a compact disk and looks
like a "bulls eye."  It is easily held up against damage to estimate the
cost.  Additionally, the inspection wheel evaluates windshield cracks and
tire- tread depth.
					-more-

A comprehensive lease-end inspection form is also provided; it details
specific dollar amounts for damages measured by the device. The form also
covers excess mileage and parts charges such as worn tires, missing keys and
broken headlights.  "The self-evaluation process is optional," said Devine.
"Customers may choose either a dealer-administrated appraisal or an
independent inspection." 

Also part of BMW's program is a "90 Days To Go" package including
self-inspection materials that help facilitate the lease-end process.  The
package provides customers with a reference guide outlining lease-end
options that include releasing, refinancing and purchasing.  If, after
reading these sections the customer still wishes to return their BMW
(hopefully to lease or purchase another vehicle), the package includes a
vehicle turn-in checklist wear and use guidelines.   The checklist is
designed to help customers through the closing of their lease while the
guidelines give examples of acceptable and unacceptable conditions for
evaluating vehicle wear and use.   

BMW Financial Services

BMW Financial Services of North America was established in 1992 as a captive
finance company to support the North and Latin American sales and marketing
efforts of the BMW Group.    With over $11 billion in managed assets and
more than 364,000 customers, BMW FS leases or finances over half of the new
BMW vehicles sold in the U.S.    BMW FS employs about 400 people, most of
whom are located in the Dublin, Ohio Customer Service Center.   BMW FS also
services the Canadian market and recently opened a new Financial Services
company in Brazil.

BMW Financial Services provides a wide range of leasing, retail, commercial,
banking and insurance products tailored to meet the needs of BMW customers
and dealers.   All lease servicing, including credit underwriting, funding,
customer service, title administration, lease-end and collections are
handled at the Dublin customer service center.   A growing portfolio of
banking,

					-more-

credit card and insurance offerings is also available through the BMW Bank
of North America. 

BMW Group in America
BMW of North America has been present in the United States since 1975.
Since then, the BMW Group in the United States has grown to include
marketing, sales and financial service organizations for the BMW and MINI
brands; 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.  The BMW Group 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 Group products is available to consumers via the World
Wide Web on the BMW homepage at http://www.bmwusa.com and www.miniusa.com.

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Journalist note: Information about the BMW Group and its products is
available to journalists on-line at the BMW Group PressClub at the following
address - www.press.bmwgroup.com.

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