The Bavarian job?

We watched the original version of The Italian Job last night. Besides wondering who in movies today could possibly be as archly droll as Noel Coward, and whether the remake will dare end on as literal a cliffhanger, I have to ask this: Was the remake BMW's idea? I mean, the original is just as chock-full of cute little Mini Coopers as the new one's previews seem to be. Quelle product placement!