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BMW Motorcycles Scorching Sales for First Half of 1999

23 July 1999

BMW Motorcycles Scorching Sales for First Half of 1999; BMW AG to Invest Nearly 80 Million in Berlin Plant Expansion/Renovation

    WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J., July 22 -- BMW of North America, Inc.
has retailed more than 5,000 bikes in the first half of 1999, a figure that
surpasses the total annual sales of 1996.  For the first time in 18 years, BMW
Motorcycle sales have exceeded 1,000 units four months in a row.  According to
Ed Robinson, Vice President of BMW North America, Motorcycles, "Everyone
involved with BMW Motorcycles deserves to share in this success.  At the core
of our brand lies the undeniable pleasure and excitement of riding
motorcycles.  We are reminded of this by both long time BMW riders, and new
ones, at each event we attend.  With award-winning new models BMW Motorcycles
is well on track for another record-setting year."  The sales success in the
first half of 1999 can be attributed to balanced strength across the entire
model range, with the new K 1200 LT and the ever popular R 1200 C at the heart
of the batting order.
    In a sign that BMW Motorcycle sales world wide are enjoying a similar
strength, BMW AG plans to invest roughly 80 million dollars over the next
three years to expand its motorcycle-manufacturing facilities at Berlin-
Spandau.  The Spandau plant currently produces around 52,000 BMW motorcycles
annually.  The expansion seeks to add productivity, while adding approximately
fifty new jobs.
    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.bmwusacycles.com.
Information on BMW Rider's Wear and Equipment can be found at
http://www.BMWonline.com.