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- Overall sales (BMW and MINI) down 27.7 percent in May
- BMW brand reported best month so far this year
- BMW 3 Series hits two million milestone since its introduction in the US in 1976

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – The BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) reported May sales of 22,993 vehicles, a decrease of 27.7 percent from the 31,781 vehicles sold in the same month of 2008. The BMW Group also reported a year-to-date sales volume of 93,599 vehicles, down 29 percent, compared to 131,758 vehicles sold in the same period a year ago.

BMW Brand Sales
With 18,383 vehicles sold, the BMW brand reported its best month so far this year. Compared to the 25,469 vehicles reported in the same month a year ago, this is a decrease of 27.8 percent. Year-to-date, BMW brand sales were down 30.5 percent to 76,819 vehicles compared to 110,569 vehicles sold in the same period of 2008.

“This month, the Northeast and Midwest showed signs of buyer’s interest and that's a positive aspect for the whole premium market,” said Jim O’Donnell, President of BMW of North America, LLC. “We have been seeing all year, customers remain cautious, and when they shop for premium products they are buying brands that have a history of value, dependability and enduring quality. This has helped sales in our core 3 Series, 5 Series and X5 range.”

The company’s Ultimate Service including the four-year no cost maintenance program combined with one of the highest residual values in the industry further contributes to BMW being a safe and secure purchase in this environment.

In May, the BMW 3 Series reached an important milestone in the U.S with over two million units sold since the launch of the first 3 Series (320i) in November 1976. The BMW 3 Series has remained the unrivaled benchmark in the premium segment for more than 30 years.

BMW Certified Pre-Owned (CPO)
Sales of BMW’s Certified Pre-Owned vehicles are up 8.3 percent, to 10,410 CPO vehicles versus 9,616 vehicles reported last May 2008. Year-to-date, CPO sales are up 9.8 percent, to 48,410 over the 44,077 reported in the same period of 2008. Since the beginning of the year, BMW has seen a strong performance of its certified used car business with May being the second best month in the history of the CPO program.

MINI Brand Sales
MINI USA reported sales of 4,610 automobiles, down 27... [Read More]

A unique blend of style, space, luxury and sportiness

Woodcliff Lake, NJ - The BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo adds new facets to BMW's Ultimate Driving Machine tradition and refines the concept of first-class travel. For the first time, attributes of an elegant sedan, a contemporary Sports Activity Vehicle and a classic Gran Turismo are masterfully melded into a single, harmonious vehicle concept.

The traditional European term Gran Turismo (Grand Touring) was first applied by Italian carmakers in the 1950s when they combined the performance, handling, and style of a 2-seat sport car with luxurious amenities and luggage room for each occupant. BMW's new Gran Turismo nurtures this tradition in its own contemporary way, providing exceptional space, style, luxury, and comfort for four passengers1, plus the performance and driving pleasure of a BMW.

It does so with 21st-century performance. BMW's wide-ranging EfficientDynamics initiative endows this new automobile with an outstanding balance between performance and efficiency. Thanks to its innovative twin turbo V-8 engine and 8-speed automatic transmission, the 550i Gran Turismo can accelerate from rest to 60 mph in just 5.4 seconds, yet delivers remarkable fuel efficiency in everyday driving.

Design: Abundant sportiness, elegance,... [Read More]

Welcome to Peake Tool School, where our goal is to familiarize you with the basic functions of your car's diagnostic systems, and with what we believe is the best scan tool for most BMW owners.

The Basics:
A "Peake Tool" is the common name for a scan tool made by Peake Research Corporation. Peake Tools are hand-held, Non-OBDII, BMW-Specific (this is explained below) code readers. They are affordable, accurate, and extremely easy to use. Peake Tools read the same diagnostic codes that the dealership and technicians rely on. The tools are available in versions for engine and airbag codes, and work on BMWs and Minis only.

Peake Research Corp. designates these tools as "R5 Tools", as all their scan tool model names begin with R5:

R5-FCX3 reads BMW engine codes
R5-SRS reads BMW airbag codes
R5-EMX reads Mini engine codes

Peake Research has been a trusted manufacturer of BMW-specific scan tools for the do-it-yourselfer for twenty years.

Why a Peake Tool is a great choice for BMW owners:
Very simply, when your BMW detects a problem, it warns you with a "Check Engine" or "Service Engine Soon" light. You can determine what the problem is by plugging in a scan tool and reading the trouble codes your car is reporting.

For any given problem, your BMW generates two different types... [Read More]

We are amazed every year with the number of enthusiasts who make the trek out for the show and this year was just another testament to how great the BMW community is as a whole. Thank you to everyone that came out to the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet club on May 2nd and enjoyed the new location for Bimmerfest. We are especially thankful for the great BMW related companies that showed up to support the show including www.HorsepowerFreaks.com, BMW North America, Nitto Tire, VF-Engineering, Falken Tire, Active Autowerke, Race Technologies / Brembo and many more.

The Battle of the Bimmers, sponsored by Bonneville Motor Werks, was a great display once again this year and provided us with some new winners in the categories. The winners this year were:

Best of Show - Paul Cain -- 2002 Turbo

Classic 1st Place - Cody Barry -- Brilliant Red 1990 E30 M3 -- only 4,800 original miles!
Classic 2nd Place - CJ Viola -- Reseda Green 1979 320i
Classic 3rd Place - Ron Perry - Schwartz 1988 M5

Modified 1st Place - Eric Shieh -- Alpine White E46 M3
Modified 2nd Place - Alvin Derego -- Laguna Seca Blue E46 M3
Modified 3rd Place - Aaron-Ruiz Jimenez -- Custom Grey E46 330i

Stock 1st... [Read More]

Introducing the new BMW S 1000 RR on the legendary Monza Racing Circuit, BMW Motorrad is for the first time launching an absolutely innovative supersports with a straight-four power unit.

With this world debut, BMW Motorrad is indeed establishing a true milestone in the world of sports machines, combining engine output of 142 kW (193 hp) with overall weight of just 204 kg (450 lb) including fuel (183 kg/403.5 lb dry weight, 206.5 kg/455.3 lb overall with Race ABS).

Specifications of this caliber make this supersports machine not only an absolute highlight in terms of its power-to-weight ratio and performance, but also, equipped with Race ABS and DTC Dynamic Traction Control, a new benchmark in terms of riding dynamics, safety and innovation.

The decision to present this unique performer in Monza was by no means a coincidence. For since the beginning of this year Team BMW Motorrad Motorsport has been playing an active role in the World Superbike Championship, the new S 1000 RR setting the foundation for the production-based racing machines ridden by BMW Motorrad's two works riders Troy Corser and Ruben Xaus. And obviously the Royal Park in Monza is the ideal place for a presentation of this caliber.

The Challenge for BMW Motorrad
To successfully enter the World Championship with a Superbike today, a manufacturer needs a production... [Read More]

"Expression of Joy" Creative Built upon Unique Artistic Collaboration

Woodcliff Lake, NJ - BMW sought an innovative approach for the launch of the all-new BMW Z4 Roadster, and had to look no further than its rich legacy of commitment to art for inspiration. The result, an aesthetically powerful marketing campaign entitled "Expression of Joy," rolls out in early May. The campaign, which relies heavily on vibrant video content, includes an MSN.com homepage takeover on May 11 with which BMW will be the first advertiser to make use of the Web site's new feature - an expandable video unit that will allow users to view the BMW Z4 spot in full-screen mode. Also, the conventional 30-second spot is complimented by a 30-minute documentary.

At the heart of the campaign, created by BMW's Austin, Texas-based agency GSD&M Idea City, is an artistic collaboration between BMW, contemporary artist Robin Rhode and filmmaker Jake Scott. Rhode choreographed the movements of two BMW Z4 Roadsters mounted with special paint dispensers behind the wheels to create a football-field size painting, while Scott captured all the action with 40 simultaneous camera angles. The final Rhode piece and video elements form the foundation of the campaign's creative treatments.


"BMW has a long history of collaborating with contemporary artists," said Jack Pitney,... [Read More]