BMW Groups leading role in reduction of fuel consumption confirmed

Federal Motor Transport Authority confirms BMW Group's leading role in the reduction of fuel consumption

By far the most efficient premium-class vehicles on the German automobile market are built by BMW and MINI. The official calculation of fleet consumption carried out by the Federal Motor Transport Authority is certified confirmation of this exceptional position held by BMW Group brands. Current statistics calculated by the Flensburg-based authority show that BMW and MINI brand vehicles newly registered in Germany during 2008 have an average fuel consumption of 5.9 litres/100 km and average emission levels of 158 grams per km. Both levels lie well below the average of all newly registered vehicles manufactured in Germany, which is at 165 grams.

The brand BMW reduces fuel consumption by 16% within two years. At brand level, too, BMW does better than its main competitors in the premium segment by significantly more than half a litre of fuel consumption with an average level of 160 g CO2/km. The vehicles of the next best competitor have a CO2 emissions level of 16 grams more than the models of the brand BMW, with the next competitor after this at a level which is as much as 28 g higher than the brand BMW - equal to a whole litre of diesel. Between 2006 and 2008, the brand BMW achieved a reduction in fuel consumption of 16%, more than doubling the reduction attained by the next best premium segment competitor. At the same, BMW vehicles are still well ahead of their competitors in terms of average engine output - clear evidence of the success of BMW EfficientDynamics.

The positive situation of the BMW Group is complemented by the brand MINI, which attained a reduction of CO2 emission levels of 206% between 2006 and 2008, with an average level of 139 g/km.

"This success is impressive affirmation of our ability for innovation and sustainability," explained Dr. Klaus Draeger, head of development at BMW. "With the employed measures as well as a multitude of further technologies about to be launched, the BMW Group is excellently prepared for the challenges of the future. Draeger: "With EfficientDynamics we will comply with with the future EU C02-Targets for new cars. The payment of fines is not an option for us." BMW and MINI fuel consumption and CO2 emissions considerably better than those achieved by the average German automobile.

Federal Motor Transport Authority statistics show not only a significant superiority of BMW EfficientDynamics compared with similar measures implemented by other premium vehicle manufacturers, but also the BMW Group's outstanding position within the overall market. On statistic average a BMW or a MINI brand vehicle burns significantly less fuel than the average new car produced in Germany. Moreover, with regard to fleet consumption determined by the FMTA, theBMW Group also beats Europe's largest high-volume manufacturer, taking it to level peg with a number of car builders whose product portfolio includes a considerably higher percentage of small cars. The BMW Group has also attained comparable results in other European automotive markets. In the UK, the brand BMW has successfully reduced the CO2 emissions of its models to a level averaging 158 grams per kilometre. The BMW Group has also clearly improved on the respective levels of other premium car builders in these countries.

Fleet consumption reduced by more than 25 percent:
BMW Group exceeds ACEA requirements. Consequently, also at an EU level BMW and MINI achieve fuel consumption and emission levels below the overall average of all European car manufacturers. Between 1995 and the end of 2008 the BMW Group cut fuel consumption of its vehicles sold in Europe by more than 25 percent, even exceeding the respective requirements for their brands stipulated by the ACEA commitment (ACEA = Association of European Automobile Manufacturers). Consequently, the BMW Group is better prepared than other car builders for the even more stringent regulations planned for 2012 and 2015 respectively, these resulting from the fact that not all manufacturers have been able to achieve the aspired reduction in fuel consumption. Therefore, as far as the BMW Group is concerned, the payment of penalties as compensation for excessive CO2 levels is not under discussion.