This is not new news but it is interesting to see that BMW is still looking to add another brand. It was rumored BMW was to buy Volvo sometime last year; this never materialized because BMW felt that Volvo was not a good fit for what they need in a fourth brand. Other options still remain; including resurrecting the Triumph moniker that BMW owns. Lotus joining the party sounds good to me!
Forbes:

BMW CFO says group still considering fourth brand –
FRANKFURT (Thomson Financial) – Bayerische Motoren Werke AG is continuing to consider whether it will set up a fourth brand as part of its long-term growth strategy, chief financial officer Michael Ganal said in an interview with Euro am Sonntag.

He said that to ensure long-term growth, it is not enough for BMW to tighten costs and that it must also consider increasing its revenues, adding a fourth brand ‘remains absolutely conceivable ‘.

At present, the group has the BMW, Mini and Rolls-Royce (other-otc: RYCEY.PK – news – people ) brands.