BMW's Accelerated Green Turn.

BMW Chief Executive Norbert Reithofer sought to cast a green halo over the German premium automaker Mar. 14, highlighting a new generation of fuel-efficient engines and a new diesel-powered Mini that will get 4.4 liters per 100 km (53.4 mpg), as evidence of BMW's commitment to combat global warming. "The auto industry is facing a fundamental paradigm shift," said Reithofer, as he touted record 2006 sales of 1.37 million cars and a 28% rise in net profit to $2.87 billion. "It cannot be overlooked any longer that the global climate is changing." Reithofer, 50, took over as chief executive Sept. 1, and will present a strategic review later this year detailing new business directions.