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BMW Motorcycles Rev Up Record 1997 Sales

12 January 1998

BMW Motorcycles Rev Up Record 1997 Sales

    WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J., Jan. 12 -- BMW of North America, Inc.,
the importer and distributor of BMW motorcycles in the United States since
1980, reported that 1997 motorcycle sales were the highest in the company's
history.  The BMW Motorcycle Group posted sales of 6,103 units, an increase of
nearly 25 percent over year-end sales figures for 1996.
    According to Edward A. Robinson, Vice President of BMW's Motorcycle Group,
BMW's strong retail performance was bolstered not only by the continued
popularity of the BMW R 1100 RT sport-tourer, but also by the mid-year
introduction of two new models -- the high-performance K 1200 RS sport tourer
and the new R 1200 C "Cruiser."
    "We're very pleased with the accolades the Cruiser has received in the
motorcycling community," commented Robinson.  "In just six months, our first
entry into this market segment has become BMW's second best-selling
motorcycle."
    Last year, the BMW R 1200 C received Popular Science's "Best of What's
New" Award.  It also made its screen debut in the James Bond film, "Tomorrow
Never Dies."
    Worldwide sales of BMW motorcycles also reached a record high in 1997,
with 53,500 units sold in more than 100 international markets.
    BMW of North America, Inc. was established in 1975, at which point the
company assumed marketing and distribution responsibilities of BMW automobiles
in the U.S. from the previous private distributor.  Motorcycle marketing and
distribution was added in 1980.  Since then the company's North American
operations have 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 of North America, Inc.