Tom Purves becomes CEO of Rolls-Royce

[LeMansX5]

Woodcliff Lake, NJ - April 22, 2008...BMW announces today the following four executive management appointments.

Tom Purves has been appointed to the position of Chief Executive Officer of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Limited. In this capacity he is responsible for the overall global Rolls-Royce business, including production, sales and marketing. He will assume responsibilities in his new position, effective July 1, 2008. In his prior capacity, Tom served as Chairman and CEO of BMW (US) Holding Corp., a position he held since 1999. His responsibilities encompassed all sales, marketing and distribution activities for the BMW and MINI brands of the BMW Group in North, Central and South America. Prior to his arrival in the US, Tom was Sales and Marketing Director of the Rover Group and also served previously as Managing Director of BMW (UK). Tom began his automotive career with Rolls-Royce as an apprentice engineer. His role with the company evolved to include several management positions including sales in Europe the Middle East and Africa.

Jim O'Donnell will assume the position Chairman and CEO of BMW (US) Holding Corp. effective July 1, 2008. Jim recently joined BMW of North America's executive management team as President of BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) on April 1, 2008. In his new role, Jim will also serve as Chairman of BMW NA's Management Board and as the Regional Manager for US, Canada, Mexico, Brazil and Argentina. Jim O'Donnell has been with the BMW Group for 17 years. Prior to arriving in the US he held the position of Managing Director of BMW (UK) Ltd. He also worked as Sales and Marketing Director of BMW South Africa and Sales Director of BMW (UK) Ltd. Before joining BMW Group, Jim held various positions at Ford Motor Company.

Tom Kowaleski has been appointed Vice President of Corporate Communications for BMW of North America, LLC effective May 1, 2008. Tom will have responsibility for the overall management of the Corporate Communications department. Tom Kowaleski has worked in the automotive communications and marketing fields for over 30 years and has broad experience with both domestic and imported manufacturers, including Daimler Chrysler and GM. He is currently the President of ACTK2, a communications consultancy which will continue to operate.

Tom Salkowsky has been appointed as Manager, BMW Corporate Communications for BMW of North America, LLC, effective May 1, 2008. Tom will be specifically responsible for the BMW automotive brand and is a12-year veteran with BMW of North America. Previous to this appointment, Tom served as Manager, Experiential Marketing with overall responsibilities for auto shows, consumer driving events, the BMW Golf Championship and Formula BMW Americas. Tom joined the company in 1996 as a Management Associate and during his career at BMW has held a number of positions including M Brand and Motorsport Manager, Retail Operations Training Manager and Senior Retail Analyst.

Robert D. Mitchell, the previous head of BMW Corporate Communications and a 32 year veteran of BMW, will retire on April 30, 2008