This Week:

• Jaguar Reveals the All-New X-TYPE at the Geneva Auto Show
  .

• BMW: The model range is to be extended by the 1 Series and the 6 Series 
  .

• 1 million Audi vehicles with quattro drive / Market leadership in Germany and Europe / Over 30 percent of all new Audi models have all-wheel drive
  .

• Land Rover at the 2001 Salon de l'Automobile, Geneva
  .

• DaimlerChrysler Reports Full Year and Divisional Results
  .

• GM Service Parts Operations Announces New Parts Distribution Center In Chicago
  .

• Klaus Fricke - The New Market Strategy Director In Fiat Auto SpA
  .

• smart launches international product campaign 
  .

• Porsche opens sales agency in the Chinese capital 
  .

• European Specifications Announced for MINI COOPER 
  .

• Ford reports record revenues, unit sales, operating earnings per share in 2000
  .

• LEONI and Hella to develop wiring harnesses of the future

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News of  February 28, 2001
.

BMW: Finally there is an end to all speculations: the model range is to be extended by the 1 Series and the 6 Series 

The new BMW model series, which is being designed according to schedule, will occupy a position between the BMW 3 Series and the MINI and will introduce all BMW virtues into the upper end of the lower midrange segment. Rear-wheel drive, excellent handling as well as prime quality will provide for an outstanding "driving pleasure". The 1 Series is to be launched in 2004.

"The new small BMW model series will be fully integrated into BMW's nomenclature and accordingly it will be given the number one within BMW's entire product range, not in a very spectacular way but most consistently though. In future one can speak of a BMW 1 Series," Professor Milberg declared. 

An open-top version of the 6 Series Coupe is to be launched as well

The model-related decision on the continuation of the 6 Series will satisfy the customers' undaunted demand for a big BMW sport coupe. "On the one hand the BMW 6 Series Coupe will be very prestigious, and on the other hand it will embody the sportiness that is typical for BMW cars. We also plan to put on the market an open-top version of this vehicle," the CEO of BMW AG promised. Between 1976 and 1989 the first 6 Series Coupe was exclusively equipped with straight 6-cylinder engines. At that time the 6 Series Coupe was the epitome of sportiness and elegance. This car served as a model for racing cars and it proved on the racetrack its enormous potential when it comes to sportiness. In 1990 the exclusive 8 Series, the production of which was discontinued two years ago, had taken the place of the 6 Series.

The BMW engineers have already started to design the future 6 Series Coupe. "The BMW Group is an automobile manufacturer that follows a clear course and shows ongoing success pursuing a logical and comprehensible premium brand strategy. This strategy is convincing and takes into account all foreseeable trends, potential for growth and changes in demand," Professor Milberg said. 

As proof of the rightness of this strategy Milberg referred to the economic success of the company in fiscal 2000. With a turnover amounting to Euro 35.36 billion (an increase by 2.8 % over the previous year) the BMW Group achieved a record-breaking result. The BMW brand showed an increase of about 20 % percent, which means that the turnover lacking from Rover and Land Rover has been overcompensated for.

"The positive turnover trend enjoyed by the BMW Group serves as a basis for an excellent operative result. In the previous year we even surpassed the record figures achieved in 1997, which has so far been the best result in the company's history. We will also achieve a better return on turnover than in 1997," Milberg said.

(Feb. 27, 2001)

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