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BMW Captures Four Spots in The Automobile Magazine Awards

1 April 1999

BMW Captures Four Spots in The Automobile Magazine 'Readers' Choice All-Stars' Awards

    NEW YORK, April 1 -- At a ceremony today at the New York
International Auto Show, it was announced that the readers of Automobile
Magazine have bestowed four All-Star awards on BMW.  With three model lines
honored, awards BMW received were:

    -- 3 Series sedan (E46) - All-Star for "Best Luxury Sedan(Mid-size)"
    -- 540i six-speed sedan - All-Star for "Best Sports Sedan"
    -- 3 Series coupe (E36) - All-Star for "Best Coupe"
    -- 7 Series - All-Star for "Best Luxury Sedan (Large)"

    "We are honored to have readers of Automobile Magazine select cars from
our 3, 5 and 7 Series as their top choices," said Vic Doolan, president of BMW
of North America.  "Winning awards is always nice, but when auto enthusiasts
give you four awards it is a great distinction, and really demonstrates the
diversity and quality of BMW's model line."
    More then 5,000 Automobile Magazine readers selected the winners from
13 categories.  Readers were asked to make their best-in-class selections from
201 models listed in a poll that ran in the January 1999 issue of the
magazine.
    The new-for-1999 3 Series sedans have not only won awards from the
editors, but have also won the hearts of the public.  With a price range
starting at $26,970 for the 323i and $33,970 for the 328i sedan, the car shows
both BMW's strong value and performance -- traits clearly important to the
readers of Automobile Magazine.
    For the second year in a row, the readers of Automobile Magazine have
voted the 540i six-speed "Best Sport Sedan."  With a sport-tuned suspension,
282 hp V8 and, of course, the smooth shifting six-speed manual gearbox, the
540i sets the standard for the Sport Sedan class.
    Since its introduction in model year 1993, the third-generation (E36) BMW
3 Series coupe has been collecting awards.  Even in its last year of
production, the car still excels, capturing a Readers' Choice All-Stars award.
The 3 series coupe embodies sportiness, performance and ownership satisfaction
as attested by this award.
    That the 7 Series sedan wins a Readers' Choice All Stars award, comes as
little surprise to anyone who has experienced its sheer driving pleasure and
accommodations.  The 7 Series offers the ultimate in luxury and
sophistication, all while keeping true to BMW's performance heritage.  The
75OiL, powered by a 322 hp V12 and the 740i/iL powered by the 282 hp V8
deliver smooth responsive performance expected of BMW's top-end flagships.
    BMW of North America, Inc. was established in 1975, when the company
assumed marketing and distribution responsibilities of BMW vehicles in the
U.S. from a private distributor.  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 marque's North American
headquarters, is located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.