BMW Group's Chris Bangle Will Open Design Los Angeles Conference at LA Auto Show

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 7, 2005 -- Chris Bangle, BMW Group's chief of design, is known as much for his controversial and edgy automotive designs as he is for his imaginative and refreshing approach to the age of automotive reinvention. Bangle will provide an engaging and thought-provoking look into the world of design as the opening speaker for the Design Los Angeles automobile designers' conference at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

The conference is held concurrently with the show's second media day on Jan. 5, 2006. Bangle's presentation is open to all media days' attendees -- including journalists and auto industry personnel.

"Chris is the perfect choice as guest speaker for Design Los Angeles," said Chuck Pelly, conference director for Design Los Angeles. "He has such an enormous passion and extraordinary zest for design on a large scale, beyond just the automotive arena. Not only is he one of the best in his field, but he is also a brilliant speaker who is able to connect with and motivate his audience -- exactly the sort of energy we want for the Design Los Angeles conference."

As chief designer and director of BMW Group worldwide design, he oversees the design studios for BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce MC as well as for BMW Motorrad -- BMW's motorcycle division -- and BMW M. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of BMW Group DesignworksUSA, a strategic design consultancy owned by BMW Group and headquartered in Newbury Park, Calif. Bangle joined BMW AG in October 1992 after serving as Director of Fiat Centro Stile/Design.

In its second year, Design Los Angeles continues to evolve into an important component of the LA Auto Show. With 14 automobile manufacturer design studios located throughout Southern California, the conference connects designers' interests by providing them with workshops, speakers and the opportunity to address widespread issues in their field. It is distinctive in that automobile designers play an essential role in its continuing development.

Design Los Angeles is held concurrently with the LA Auto Show's media days. Journalists worldwide converge in Los Angeles for two days of automaker news conferences, beginning on January 4 and continuing through January 5. Automobile executives will be on hand to conduct more than two dozen World and North American car and truck debuts. The public will get their chance to see the vehicles January 6 - 15.

Last January Show

This is the last January LA Auto Show before permanently moving to November dates, beginning in 2006. The new timing of the show addresses longstanding desires of the automotive industry for the LA Auto Show to have its own time period away from other international auto shows and to avoid the Christmas and New Year holidays. Automakers are preparing to make the most of the new show dates by launching an expanded lineup of new models and concepts in Los Angeles.

Media days for the 2007 LA Auto Show are Nov. 29 and 30, 2006, and public days are Dec. 1 - 10, 2006.

For additional information, visit the show's Web site at LAautoshow.com.