Placido Domingo Set to Drive BMW Hydrogen 7

Placido Domingo Set to Drive BMW Hydrogen 7

Famed Tenor Becomes Latest To Be Given BMW Hydrogen 7 For Everyday Use on U.S. Roadways

WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J., Oct. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- World-renowned opera singer- conductor Placido Domingo will be given the keys to a BMW Hydrogen 7 - the first hydrogen-powered luxury sedan - for his everyday use, BMW announced today. Widely regarded as the greatest operatic artist of modern times, Domingo joins several other preeminent figures in entertainment, government, the environment and more, as the latest person to drive the BMW Hydrogen 7 on U.S. roadways as a part of the BMW Hydrogen 7 Pioneer Program, designed to help the company in its mission to build widespread support of hydrogen as a viable alternative to fossil fuels.

"It is an honor to be taking part in this initiative by BMW to educate, inform and, ultimately, to impact how we as a society think about alternative energy and the health of our planet," said Domingo. "Having worked on numerous natural disaster relief efforts, I've witnessed first-hand the profound impact that environmental and climate changes can have on humanity. I feel it is the duty of everyone on this planet to learn, become involved in the fight, accept change and be part of the solution."

In addition to his prolific operatic career, Placido Domingo is a dedicated public advocate, raising millions of dollars through special benefit concerts to help such causes as the victims of the 1985 Mexican earthquake, AIDS and more. He has become one of the most decorated and honored artists in the world today, acknowledged as a Kennedy Center Honoree, a Commander of France's Legion of Honor, the Honorary Knighthood of the British Empire and the highest decoration in the US, the Medal of Freedom.

Running in hydrogen mode, the BMW Hydrogen 7 essentially emits nothing but water vapor, representing a major step in reducing harmful CO2 emissions. It is not a concept car, but a production model vehicle that has successfully completed the entire Product Development Process. While the BMW Hydrogen 7 is not for sale, it is considered to be a milestone in bringing forward hydrogen as the sustainable fuel for individual transportation.

By harnessing the power and influence of individuals who, like Placido Domingo, are at the forefront of their respective disciplines, BMW hopes to continue to generate support of hydrogen-drive vehicles in the short term and stimulate demand for a viable hydrogen infrastructure in the long-term.

A number of entertainers, politicians, business leaders and more have opted for a BMW Hydrogen 7 as their energy-efficient ride of choice, including Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie at the "Ocean's 13" premiere in Hollywood; Fox Entertainment Chairman Peter Liguori at the FOX All-Star Party in Santa Monica; Richard Gere and Sharon Stone at the Cinema for Peace Gala in Berlin; and "An Inconvenient Truth" producer Davis Guggenheim (Oscar(R) for the best Documentary Feature) and Best Foreign Language Film Oscar(R) winner, director Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck at the 2007 Academy Awards; among others. The vehicle has also made an impact oversees, with luminaries such as Michael Glos, German Federal Minister for Economy and Technology, and Günter Verheugen, Vice President of the European Commission, world renowned soprano Anna Netrebko and many others covering more than 1.3 million miles worldwide.

BMW Group In America

BMW of North America, LLC has been present in the United States since 1975. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars NA, LLC began distributing vehicles in 2003. The BMW Group in the United States has grown to include marketing, sales, and financial service organizations for the BMW brand of motor vehicles, including motorcycles, the MINI brand, and the Rolls-Royce brand of Motor Cars; DesignworksUSA, an industrial design firm in California; a technology office in Silicon Valley and various other operations throughout the country. BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC in South Carolina is part of BMW Group's global manufacturing network and is the exclusive manufacturing plant for all Z4 models and X5 Sports Activity Vehicles. The BMW Group sales organization is represented in the U.S. through networks of 338 BMW passenger car centers, 335 BMW Sports Activity Vehicle centers, 142 BMW motorcycle retailers, 82 MINI passenger car dealers, and 30 Rolls-Royce Motor Car dealers. BMW (US) Holding Corp., the BMW Group's sales headquarters for North, Central and South America, is located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.

Information about BMW Group products is available to consumers via the Internet at:

   www.bmwgroupna.com   www.bmwusa.com   www.bmwmotorcycles.com   www.miniusa.com   www.rolls-roycemotorcars.com  

Source: BMW of North America, LLC

CONTACT: Andreas Klugescheid, Corporate Communications Manager, Western
Operations of BMW of North America, LLC, +1-805-271-7311, or
andreas.klugescheid@bmwna.com

Web site: http://www.bmwgroupna.com/
http://www.bmwusa.com/
http://www.bmwmotorcycles.com/
http://www.miniusa.com/
http://www.rolls-roycemotorcars.com/

NOTE TO EDITORS: Journalist note: Information about the BMW Group and its products is available to journalists on-line at the BMW Group PressClub at the following address: www.press.bmwgroup.com. Broadcast quality video footage is available via The NewsMarket at www.thenewsmarket.com.

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Profile: International Entertainment