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April 22, 2015

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Home » Business » Auto

BMW shows ambition to lead NEV market

By Vera Ye | April 22, 2015, Wednesday | Print Edition

WITH the debut of its first plug-in hybrid Sport Activity Vehicle, German luxury carmaker BMW has taken another step toward green mobility driving.

Catering to those who desire the benefits of a full-size SAV with zero-emission driving, the BMW X5 xDrive40e had its world premiere at the 2015 Shanghai Auto Show.

The all-new member of BMW’s premium X family represents BMW’s ambition to take a lead in the new energy vehicle market, a segment that is rising on China’s efforts to combat pollution.

Karsten Engel, president and CEO of BMW Group Region China, said BMW will maintain its leading role in e-mobility development in China, seeking to boost the popularity of plug-in hybrid technologies and products and to promote the building of ChargeNow, BMW’s supercharging network for electric vehicles.

The new vehicle combines the versatility and luxurious ambience of a full-size SAV, together with outstanding efficiency. Powered by a twin-turbocharged, four-cylinder petrol engine and a synchronous electric motor with a combined output of 313 hp, it provides an outstanding sporty performance.

In the all-electric mode, the BMW X5 xDrive40e offers a range of up to 31 kilometers and a top speed of 120 kilometers per hour.

The intelligent hybrid powertrain control ensures that the engine and the electric motor work together in perfect unison. It produces lower carbon dioxide emissions at 77 grams per kilometer.

With flexible charging options, its high-voltage battery can be topped up at home from a standard power socket or, for faster charging, it can use the BMW i Wallbox or a public charging station.

The coming of the hybrid marks a new chapter in BMW’s long-term pursuit of sustainable mobility.

“China has the potential to become the world’s largest market for new energy vehicles,” Ian Robertson, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, told reporters.

“Over the long term, we plan to offer every BMW model as a plug-in hybrid version,” he said.

BMW’s fabulous lineup at Auto Shanghai also includes the BMW 2er Gran Tourer and a mid-cycle upgrade of the BMW 1 Series; two China premieres — the BMW 6 Series and BMW M6; and two Asia premiere motorcycles — the BMW S 1000 RR and BMW R 1200 R.

“These new models clearly reflect BMW’s confidence in and commitment to the future of the Chinese market,” said Engel. “I’m very proud that our customers continue to perceive the BMW brand as the hallmark of innovation, passion and sustainability.”

Last month, BMW delivered its two-millionth car in China, a milestone underscoring success in building loyalty in the world’s biggest auto market and laying a sound foundation for more customers to discover and enjoy the brand in the future.

After years of robust sales growth, BMW expects momentum to moderate as China enters a "new normal” in economic development, featuring slower but higher-quality growth.

Engel said the company would not be surprised to see sales grow at single-digit rates in the next few years, but the company remains optimistic given its large market base.

“In 2015, the BMW Group aims to achieve sustainable growth in China, aligned with the outlook of the Chinese market,” Engel said. “We will continue to focus on the quality of our business and on customer satisfaction.”

BMW will launch more than 10 new and revised models in China this year to diversify its product portfolio, and it will boost its presence in the fast-growing premium SAV and premium compact segments.

The German carmaker is planning to boost annual production capacity from 300,000 to 400,000 units in the coming years, doubling its locally produced models from three to six.

Increasing local development and production is part of BMW’s “in China and for China” strategy to deepen its roots in the nation, Engel said.

The company has begun to explore future trends in the local market by teaming up with Internet giant Baidu to research driverless car technologies, especially for Chinese roads.

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