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'New Drivers Course' Added to the BMW Driving School Curriculum

4 April 2000

'New Drivers Course' Added to the BMW Performance Center Driving School Curriculum: Drivers Ed... BMW-Style.

    SPARTANBURG, S.C., April 3 BMW of North America, Inc. has
put its own mark on drivers education with the introduction of a  "New Drivers
Course" at the BMW Performance Center Driving School.   The one-day class,
intended for inexperienced drivers between the ages of 16 and 19, goes well
beyond drivers education available to most teens by offering young drivers
hands-on experience for many types of driving situations.
    "New drivers need practice responding to a variety of situations and
conditions.  Our instructors simulate a wide range of challenges on our
specially-built course," explained Tom Troy, BMW Performance Center Manager.
"BMW's program helps 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."
    The BMW Performance Center Driving School opened last fall on a course
designed just for driver training.   The curriculum includes skills to respond
to a wide variety of driving situations.  The road course can be configured
35 different ways and using special features not found in most driving
training programs.   For example, students learn how to control a vehicle on
black ice or other slippery surfaces in exercises performed on an ultra-smooth
concrete skidpad.   Accident avoidance maneuvers are taught on a water wall
corridor -- one of only a few in the world -- where they are "surprised" when
obstacles "appear" in front of their moving vehicles.
    In the day-long program, students are taught the relationship between
speed and stopping distances;  proper seating position and how it relates to
better driving and active and passive safety systems - what they can and can't
do to help protect you.   Often over-looked basics such as how to set mirrors
and where to look when you are driving to allow time to plan for the
unpredictable are also covered.
    Classes cost $300 and are limited to 12 students with both classroom
theory and hands-on experience using BMW 3 Series couples and sedans.
Students must be at least 16 years old and they must have at least a learner's
permit (or equivalent).
    "With several summer classes, it is an ideal graduation gift," adds Troy.
"For $300 you can buy the graduating senior a BMW, if only for a day, and a
lifetime of safe driving skills.  Our course is not a racing school and
students do not travel at high speeds."
    The new BMW Performance Center Driving School expands the unique
automotive experience BMW offers in upstate South Carolina.  At one location,
a visitor can tour a $1.3 billion state-of-the-art manufacturing facility;
browse the Zentrum museum showcasing more than 75 years of BMW automotive and
motorcycle history; and take delivery of a new BMW.  There is also a corporate
conference center at the BMW Performance Center.

    BMW IN AMERICA
    BMW entered the U.S. market in 1975. Since then, the company has grown to
include marketing, sales and financial service organizations in the United
States; a South Carolina manufacturing operation; a design firm in California;
a technology office in Palo Alto and various other operations throughout the
country. BMW is represented in the U.S. through a network of more than 340
car, 300 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.