 2008
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BMW EARNS "TOP SAFETY PICK" AWARDS FOR 3 SERIES SEDAN, X5, AND X3 IN IIHS RANKING OF 2009 MODELSLake, NJ - November 25, 2008
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BMW of North America today announced that the Insurance Institute
for Highway Safety (IIHS) has awarded the 2009 BMW 3 Series Sedan, X5, and
X3 models the top rating of "Good" in each of its series of crash tests,
earning each vehicle the Institute's coveted Top Safety Pick Award. Receiving
the Top Safety Pick for the 2009 BMW 3 Series Sedan, X5, and X3 vehicles
is one of numerous awards BMW has earned from the IIHS over the years. In
fact, as a result of IIHS crash tests in 2000, the 2001 BMW X5 earned the
unique distinction of not only being the best SUV, but also being the safest
vehicle ever tested by IIHS up to that point. "BMW continues to be committed
to both our active and passive safety technologies, and we are pleased to
receive the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's Top Safety Pick award
for the 2009 BMW 3 Series Sedan, X5, and X3," said Jim O'Donnell, President
of BMW of North America, LLC. The Institute rates vehicles "Good," "Acceptable,"
"Marginal" or "Poor" based on performance in high-speed Frontal Offset and
Side Impact crash tests as well as an evaluation of the vehicle's Rear Crash
Protection/Head Restraints, which protect against neck injuries in rear impact
crashes. In order for a vehicle to become a Top Safety Pick, it must earn
"Good" ratings in all three Institute tests. Additionally, as of 2007, winning
vehicles must also offer Electronic Stability Control (ESC) - a standard
feature on all BMW vehicles, known as Dynamic Stability Control. The IIHS
requires this feature based on Institute research indicating that ESC
significantly reduces crash risk, especially the risk of fatal single vehicle
crashes, by helping drivers maintain control of their vehicles during emergency
maneuvers.