CarMK.com

BRACKNELL, UNITED KINGDOM – June 2, 2009: The BMW 3 Series has
been named Best Fleet Car 2009 in the annual Fleet World Honours.
BMW’s biggest selling model range eclipsed stiff competition from the
likes of Audi and Mercedes to scoop top honours.

The Fleet World Honours are presented annually to those motor
manufacturers, service companies and individuals who have, in the opinion
of the judges, achieved the highest possible level of excellence in their
sector. The judging panel consists of journalists and industry experts who
use residual value, maintenance cost, reliability and market value data
from a variety of independent sources to determine the winners.

George Emmerson, chairman of the judges, said: “The BMW 3 Series
was a unanimous choice for Best Fleet Car. Many fleet drivers will see the
BMW badge as reason enough to request a 3 Series, but fleet managers will
also be aware that running costs and specifications are as good and often
better than many of its competitors.”

Ken Rogers, Fleet World editor, said: “The current 3 Series is
still the car that is aspired to above all others in the company car
market. Not only is it a beautifully engineered product, it is one of the
most satisfying and refined driver’s cars on the market. BMW’s
EfficientDynamics technology means that the diesel-engined variants in
particular tick all the right boxes in the fleet market. A deserving winner
in a very competitive segment.”

The BMW 3 Series is a class-leading car offering owners an unsurpassed
blend of high performance, great fuel economy and low emissions. BMW has
the highest proportion of vehicles in the premium segment below the160g/km
CO2 tax break. The future introduction of further
EfficientDynamics-inspired BMW 3 Series variants within the next 12 months,
offering business users the possibility of a 13 per cent benefit in kind
rating, will cement the model’s position for fleet managers.

Steve Chater, BMW Corporate Sales Manager, said: “We are delighted
with the recognition 3 Series has received from the fleet market. The model
range has been at the top of fleet choice lists for a long while. The
development and launch of new low emission 3 Series models within a year
will mark the next significant step of BMW’s EfficientDynamics
programme.”