The BMW Ultimate Drive is a grassroots fundraising program where BMW invites participants to test-drive new vehicles and donates $1.00 for every mile driven to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. The program has raised mare than $11 million for the cause  over the past eleven years and BMW will stop at 210 of its retail centers nationwide with the goal of donating an additional $1 million to Susan G. Komen for the Cure in 2008. This year, the drive will also offer a sneak peek of the much-talked-about BMW X-6 model- the world's first Sports Activity Coupe- before it debuts in dealerships in May.

"We're celebrating our 12th year in supporting Susan G. Komen for the Cure and we've been successful in getting hundreds of thousands of people involved with this program," said Tom Purves, Chairman and CEO, BMW North America. "The program invites driving against breast cancer, and this year we hope to inspire more people to participate by extending the length of the fundraising drive."

Over the next eleven months, the public is invited to test drive a fleet of BMWs at participating BMW retail centers during each event day of the program. The money raised directly supports breast cancer research, education, screening, and community outreach programs provided by Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the nations largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world.

"Based on participant feedback, we have maximized the amount of convertibles to seven vehicles and popular models including the Z4, the new M3 and 1 series, 6 series and 3 series, which allow us to deliver more test drives and increase the number of participants in each city we visit," said Purves. "BMW has added and array of models and extended their program this year for a longer period- from February through December- to give community members a chance to test drive popular vehicles and to get a sneak peek of the new BMW model. "

The BMWs for the Ultimate Drive are specially badged with a unique design that features the number 12 to represent BMW's years of support. As we enter the 12th year, we felt an obligation to continue to create awareness and deliver a powerful message in a compelling way. The graphics representing the 12 years on the signature vehicle open the fleet vehicles to a new dialogue of powerful facts and action for all participants to experience the program.

Each participant in the Ultimate Drive will be able to add his or her name on the Signature Vehicle as a testament to all who have joined BMW and Susan G. Komen for the Cure in the fight to end breast cancer. this year the Signature Vehicle will be the new BMW X6 model- an exceptional vehicle that features the sporting elegance of a BMW coupe with the most powerful drive unit ever seen in a BMW X model. The BMW X6 model is the world's first Sports Activity Coupe that will be available for participants to test drive before its May 2009 release in dealerships nationwide.

"We're very pleased to be working with BMW and inspiring community members to help us fight the most common disease among women," said Hala Moddelmog, President and CEO of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. "The BMW Ultimate Drive has helped fund research and services for patients, survivors, and their families over the past 10 years, and will continue to help us raise awareness and unite communities in the fight to end breast cancer."

"Through the BMW Ultimate Drive, BMW of North America has truly helped Komen recruit  and engage new activists for the cure. With more than 200 events annually, they help us take our message to the masses and share the Komen promise with millions. Over the last 11 years The Ultimate Drive has helped us reach more than 500,000 people and has raised more than $12 million in support of our efforts to end breast cancer forever," said Katrina McGhee, vice president of marketing, Susan G. Komen for the Cure.