BMW Group announced today it will be the Official Mobility Partner of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) from now through 2016. BMW Group will also be the Official Mobility Partner of four National Governing Bodies (NGBs): USA Bobsled & Skeleton, US Speedskating, USA Swimming and USA Track & Field. Jack Pitney, Vice President of Marketing for BMW of North America, USOC Chief Marketing Officer Lisa Baird and short track speedskater Apolo Anton Ohno, the most decorated U.S. winter Olympian of all time, were all in New York City to make the partnership announcement. This multi-million dollar agreement goes beyond financial support to also provide the USOC with fundraising opportunities and the four individual NGBs with BMW Group technical expertise. BMW Group will use its experts, deep technology base and facilities to help the Olympic and Paralympic Teams improve their training and performance. An example of this has been the company’s work with BMW ORACLE Racing to improve its performance. BMW Group’s expertise in light weight construction and aerodynamics helped the BMW Oracle Racing Team design a technically advanced yacht that won the America’s Cup sailing competition this year.

BMW Group (including BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad) will be the Official Mobility Partner of the USOC, as well as the 2012, 2014 and 2016 U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams, and the 2011 and 2015 U.S. Pan American and Parapan American Teams. BMW Group will develop exclusive programs to support Team USA and will have a presence at the three Olympic Training Centers. These facilities welcome America’s top athletes to live and train among the nation’s best, including bobsled and skeleton sliders, speedskaters, swimmers, and track & field standouts. BMW Group will also have a presence at the major events of the four NGBs, beginning with the USA Swimming National Championships August 3-7, 2010, in Irvine, California. BMW Group’s sponsorship of USA Bobsled & Skeleton, US Speedskating, USA Swimming and USA Track & Field will include support for coaching and training programs, as well as increasing awareness of the NGBs and their athletes.

BMW Group also has a long standing commitment to the Olympic Movement. BMW played an active role in the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, the home of BMW Group. In 1996, BMW Group was a sponsor of the Atlanta Olympic Games and U.S. Olympic Team. Now with two years to go until the London Olympic Games, BMW UK is proud to be the Automotive Partner and a Sustainability Partner of London 2012. BMW Group’s partnership with the USOC is one more example of the company’s commitment to America. BMW Group entered the U.S. market in 1968 and since then has been a solid contributor to America’s economic, social, and sustainable advancement. Today, the U.S. is BMW Group’s second home with a growing footprint. BMW Group has manufacturing, engineering, design and technology centers which employ 7,000 people and has built more than 1.5 million vehicles in the U.S. to date. Direct and indirect employment accounts for 50,000 jobs in the U.S. Its Spartanburg, South Carolina manufacturing facility is the largest new vehicle exporter to non-NAFTA countries, contributing to America’s positive trade balance.