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BMW Shatters Previous Year-End Sales Records

16 December 1998

BMW Shatters Previous Year-End Sales Records; All-New 3 Series Sedans Fuel Strong Sales

    WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J., Dec. 16 -- With demand for its vehicles
higher than ever, BMW of North America, Inc. has surpassed all previous U.S.
sales figures.  Fueled by the successful introduction of the all-new 3 Series
this past summer, BMW sales topped 1997 records (122,467 automobiles) in early
December, and should exceed 130,000 by year's end.
    BMW's new 3 Series sedans went on sale in July and to date, more than half
of all 3 Series each month are now the new 323i and 328i models.  The new 1999
BMW 328i was just named one of "Car and Driver's" Ten Best models and recently
made "Popular Science's" roster of Best of What's New for 1998.  The new 1999
323i claimed "Consumer's Digest's Best Buy of the Year" designation.
    "While other luxury import automakers include trucks and sports utility
vehicles in their sales, BMW sales represent automobiles exclusively,"
explained Victor Doolan, president of BMW of North America, Inc.  "Our sales
growth has increased almost 150 percent since 1991, distributed across all our
model lines."
    BMW entered the North American market in 1975.  Since then, the company
has 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; a technology office in Silicon Valley; and various
other operations throughout the U.S. and Canada.  BMW is represented in North
America through a network of 378 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.