BMW of North America, LLC, has selected ATX Technologies of Dallas, Texas, and Cross Country Automotive Services of Boston, Mass., to develop enhanced integrated telematics services for its model year 2003 vehicles. Services such as automatic collision notification and one-press-of-the-button emergency call response will provide BMW drivers with the latest advances in summoning assistance and emergency medical help, according to company officials. Location-based roadside assistance will be delivered by Cross Country Automotive Services in concert with ATX Technologies. This telematics solution will be able to accurately locate motorists who require roadside assistance in the United States and Puerto Rico, in turn allowing prompt dispatching of the nearest available service provider. The ultimate goal is to reduce customer down time when rendering assistance, according to BMW. BMW of North America, LLC, pioneered the introduction of onboard navigation systems when it first offered nationwide map database coverage with its 1997 model year 5 and 7 Series. When combined with an integrated cellular telephone, location enhanced roadside and emergency assistance became just a push of the button away. This combination became a standard offering on all 7 Series, effective March 2000. BMW says its telematics service has been continuously enhanced since its launch, with the model year 2003 application targeted to offer upgraded services, with or without the on-board navigation system. "The alliance of ATX Technologies and Cross Country Automotive Services will result in greater customer satisfaction due to quicker response times," said Hans Duenzl, vice president of Aftersales and Engineering at BMW of North America. "BMW believes this is a break-through solution delivered by two respected telematics service providers. We believe that telematics should be designed to reinforce our customers' expectations that BMW is providing them with leading edge technology and safety." "We are excited to partner with BMW to provide the caliber of innovative services its customers expect," said Steve Millstein, CEO and president of ATX Technologies. "We are confident this customized BMW telematics system will be viewed by BMW owners as an essential part of the BMW driving experience." "CCAS is pleased to provide its best in class mobility related customer service as a critical component to BMW's next-generation communications platform," said Mike Saxton, CEO and president of Cross Country Automotive Services. "For over 30 years, CCAS has helped automotive companies such as BMW retain valuable customers by providing industry-leading roadside assistance, safety & security and concierge services. Through this partnership, the company will continue to set the industry standard for customer service as the industry moves toward adopting future telematics solutions." About ATX Technologies ATX Technologies, Inc., headquartered in Dallas-Fort Worth, provides telematics services for mobile applications including automatic collision notification, location-based emergency response and roadside assistance, stolen vehicle location, navigation and other location-based information services. The company pioneered in-vehicle and automotive aftermarket applications of telematics beginning in 1995. Strategic alliances include Siebel Systems and IBM. For more information, visit www.atxtechnologies.com. About Cross Country Automotive Services Headquartered in Boston, Mass., Cross Country Automotive Services (www.CrossCountry-Auto.com) is a provider of mobility-related customer service programs, including emergency roadside assistance, telematics support, direct marketing and customer relationship management. More than 1,400 Cross Country employees serve more than 100 corporate clients and their more than 40 million customers each year. Cross Country Automotive Services is a member of The Cross Country Group, which bills itself as the largest privately held provider of customer service programs in the United States. About BMW of North America BMW of North America was established in 1975. Since then, the company has grown to include marketing, sales and financial service organizations in the United States; a South Carolina manufacturing operation; DESIGNWORKS/USA, an industrial design firm in California; a technology office in Palo Alto and various other operations throughout the country. BMW is represented in the United States through a network of more than 340 car, 315 sports activity vehicle and 160 motorcycle retailers. BMW US Holding Corp., the group's headquarters for North, Central and South America, is located in Woodcliff Lake, N.J. Information about BMW products is at www.bmwusa.com.