BMW Group-Sponsored Urban Driving Experience Challenge Opens Today at LocalMotors.com/BMW

Online, September 25, 2012 (Newswire.com) - The BMW Group and Local Motors announce the opening of their first collaborative design and development project - the Urban Driving Experience Challenge. Powered by the Forge at Local Motors, participants will identify the future vehicle features and functions intended to revolutionize urban mobility in the year 2025 and beyond.

Increasing urbanization, changing infrastructure and environmental pollutants, specifically in the most densely populated urban environments, require mobility solutions that strike an essential balance between global requirements and individual needs. This BMW-sponsored challenge is open to anyone with an idea for premium vehicle features that will deliver exceptional driver experiences in these highly urbanized, Megacity environments.

Global Urbanization and Megacities

• Since 2007, more of the world's inhabitants have lived in urban areas than in rural areas.

• 280 million people currently live in what are defined as Megacities; urban areas with a total population in excess of 10 million people.

• By the year 2030, it is projected that 60% of the total population - 3 out of every 5 people - will live in highly urbanized areas.

Competition Information and Prizes

The Urban Driving Experience Challenge is a two-phase challenge. The first phase begins today and will run through October 16, 2012. In total, $30,000 in in prize money will be award - $15,000 for each challenge phase. Top winners in each challenge will also be invited to meet with the BMW Group director of research and development in Munich, Germany.

Complete details about the Urban Driving Experience Challenge - including both a written and video Design Brief that explains context, scope, and explicit details about how to enter - are available at www.localmotors.com/bmw.