8 X Jeff Koons BMW sold for US$475,000 to benefit International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children

The only artist-signed 8 X Jeff Koons BMW M850i xDrive Gran Coupé went under the hammer on Monday, April 4 at Christie’s auction house at Rockefeller Plaza making US$475,000. What went down was an intense international bidding — both online and on-site — which saw the one and only signed model was won by the highest bidder.

“From the choice of colors to its overall look and use of material my car has a superhero feel to it. Giving to ICMEC and literally saving the lives of children is a superhero endeavor, now more than ever. I am thrilled that the auction of the car was such a great success! It should encourage anyone to get involved and appreciate the great work foundations are doing globally to make the world a better place,” said Jeff Koons.

The 8 X Jeff Koons, said the German automaker, represents one of the most extensive custom factory production processes ever undertaken by BMW. The artist’s signature can be found on the vehicle’s B-pillar.

All of the proceeds will be given to the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children (ICMEC), an organization Jeff Koons has personally been involved with for over two decades.

“We at ICMEC are so grateful for the generosity of the winning bidder, BMW, and especially Jeff Koons, whose partnership and support are instrumental in our efforts to help make the world safer for children. The funds raised from this collaboration will help ICMEC respond to the critical challenges children face from the pandemic and forced migration. This generous contribution will help us to develop better technologies to locate and identify missing kids, including children who are lost, abducted, or trafficked in conflict areas, and to advocate for policies, laws, and interventions that better address issues like the proliferation of child sexual abuse material, online grooming, and live streaming that have emerged as even greater threats to children during the pandemic,” said ICMEC CEO Bob Cunningham.

Sebastian Mackensen, president and CEO, BMW of North America also added, “BMW is proud to support the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children through our collaboration with Jeff Koons and the auction of this special edition vehicle, The 8 X Jeff Koons. Acting with responsibility is an important quality of our company, so it is especially gratifying to know that the proceeds from this auction will support children in need.”

The winning bidder will not only have the only artist-signed The 8 X Jeff Koons car but will also be invited by the artist himself to a personal tour of his Manhattan studio.

Photos from BMW

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