Who Needs Reindeer? BMW Driving Schools Deliver The Ultimate Holiday Cheer

WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J., Oct. 23 -- With nine reindeer leading the way, Santa may not need to attend BMW's Performance Center Driving School in Spartanburg, South Carolina. But there's no reason he shouldn't bring the high performance driving and safety tips offered there to all of the people you care about on your list.

``New drivers, road warriors and car enthusiasts alike will enjoy our one- and two-day classes designed to hone driving skills behind the wheel of a stylish BMW,'' said Tom Troy, manager of BMW's Performance Center. ``We've gathered some of the world's top driving instructors and offer the most engaging and valuable driving experiences available.''

Naughty or nice, everyone on your list can benefit from one of the following BMW Performance Center Driving School gifts:

     *  Peace of Mind for Parents: Teen Driving School and Camp -- Nervous
        parents of a newly-licensed teenager can rest assured that their child
        will receive hands-on driving skills from professional instructors
        during the New Drivers School and Camp.  BMW's programs help new
        drivers build confidence by providing them with guidance and training
        to cope with everyday traffic situations, perform complex maneuvers
        and respond to real-life driving emergencies.  Students must be at
        least 15 years old and they must have at least a learner's permit (or
        equivalent).  Cost for the one-day school is ($300).
        Cost for the 2-day camp in August is ($1,950) and includes meals and
        hotel accommodations.

     *  For Driving Enthusiasts -- A one or two-day Car Control Clinic allows
        car enthusiasts to learn firsthand from the experts how to safely
        maneuver a zippy 3 Series, feel more confident with everyday traffic
        situations and experience the importance of feeling the car's motion
        literally through "the seat of their pants."  The one-day program
        practices accident avoidance on several areas of the driving course,
        including the water wall corridor, slalom course and autocross
        circuit.  The two-day session provides more time on the ultra slick
        skid pad that simulates driving on black ice and additional hands-on
        experience with active safety technology to become a safer, more
        responsible driver.  Cost is ($495) (one day) and ($795) (two days).

     *  Performance at its Peak: The new M School -- For the high-performance
        car enthusiast who wants exhilarating behind-the-wheel action,
        M School offers performance driving, handling tips and timed slalom
        courses.  The program was developed using Michelin's test track, which
        participants are able to experience while driving the BMW Performance
        Center's stable of powerful M brand automobiles.  The two and a half
        day course incorporates practical lessons, too, such as accident
        avoidance and hands-on experience with BMW's traction systems on the
        ultra-slick skid pad.  Cost is ($3,650) and includes meals, hotel
        accommodations, a BMW racing helmet and M-School shirt.

     *  'Girls Rule' at the Women-Only Clinic -- For women who appreciate the
        camaraderie and fun of sharing a learning experience with a group of
        other women, the BMW Performance Center Driving School also offers a
        Women-Only Car Control Clinic, which is custom designed to give women
        driving skills that will add to their own safety and the safety of
        their families.  The clinic is taught by women, all of whom are
        accomplished professional drivers, and features important personal
        safety and accident avoidance tips.  Cost is ($495).

The BMW Performance Center Driving School road course can be configured 35 different ways and uses special features not found in most driver training programs. For example, students learn how to control a vehicle on an ultra-smooth concrete skidpad, which produces a slippery surface that simulates ``black ice.'' Accident avoidance maneuvers are taught on a water wall corridor -- one of only a few in the world -- where drivers are ``surprised'' when obstacles suddenly ``appear'' in front of their moving vehicles. An emergency braking zone gives students the opportunity to learn the relationship between speed and stopping distance and how to brake with an ABS-equipped vehicle on both wet and dry surfaces. (The ABS can be turned off to teach control for those drivers that don't have ABS-equipped vehicles.)

Gift certificates are also available for each driving program. More information on the BMW Performance Center Driving School is available through the BMW Performance Center's toll free number, (888-345-4BMW) (4269).

BMW Group in America

BMW of North America has been present in the United States since 1975. Since then, the BMW Group in the United States has grown to include marketing, sales and financial service organizations for the BMW and MINI brands; a South Carolina manufacturing operation; DESIGNWORKS/USA, an industrial design firm in California; a technology office in Silicon Valley and various other operations throughout the country. The BMW Group is represented in the U.S. through a network of more than 340 car, 315 Sports Activity Vehicle and 160 motorcycle retailers. BMW US Holding Corp., the Group's headquarters for North, Central and South America, 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.