BMW is fully committed to the new generation

Author | Chai Xuchen

Editor | Zhou Zhiyu

BMW is using real money and concrete actions to show the world its emphasis on the Chinese market and its attitude towards electrification transformation.

On April 26, before the 2024 Beijing International Auto Show even began, BMW announced plans to invest 20 billion yuan in its Shenyang production base for large-scale upgrades and technological innovations in its production facilities in China. It is further deepening its presence in China, laying the foundation for the localization production of the "New Generation" models for 2026 with real money and concrete actions.

BMW is sending a clear signal that its brands are firmly moving towards the intelligent electric era according to established plans, and will leverage China's technological innovation advantages to move towards an electrified future.

The "New Generation" concept car is the highlight of BMW this time, making its first appearance in China at the Beijing Auto Show. BMW Group Chairman Zipse said, "'New Generation' is not just a car, it represents the beginning of the next generation of BMW's all-new product series." This will mainly reflect BMW's innovation in technology.

It is reported that the new generation models will be the first to adopt the sixth-generation BMW eDrive electric drive technology and cylindrical battery cells, achieving significant improvements in energy density, range, and charging speed; in terms of human-machine interaction, it will be equipped with BMW's panoramic view bridge. In addition, the new generation models will adopt a new electronic and electrical architecture as well as domain control design.

The first mass-produced BMW New Generation model will be launched in 2025, and within 24 months after the start of production of the first model, at least 6 new generation models will be introduced to the market. BMW stated that the innovative achievements of the "New Generation" will gradually be applied to all BMW models in the future.

In addition to the new generation models, the sporty new pure electric BMW i4 made its global debut, upgrading the BMW kidney grille with a more distinctive design, low center of gravity structure, and fifth-generation eDrive electric drive technology, aiming to win the hearts of more young consumers.

As an important member of the BMW 4 Series family, the pure electric i4 surpassed 80,000 units in global sales last year, becoming the best-selling pure electric model in the BMW Group globally, and also driving the global delivery volume of the group's pure electric vehicles to exceed one million. BMW, which chose to debut the new i4 in the Chinese market, clearly wants to continue the high growth momentum of electrification from last year.

Apart from the BMW main brand, the group's British brand MINI's first pure electric crossover model MINI Aceman made its global debut, and the new electric MINI Cooper also officially appeared in China, forming a new MINI family with the all-new MINI Countryman.

BMW hopes to take the lead in the high-end electric vehicle market ahead of Mercedes-Benz and Audi in this way, firmly establishing its position at the top of the luxury car "hill" in the era of electric vehicles.

Data shows that last year, BMW Group delivered over 2.55 million new vehicles in the global market, with 375,000 pure electric vehicles, achieving the established goal of pure electric vehicle sales accounting for approximately 15% of the group's total sales Among them, more than 820,000 BMW and MINI vehicles were delivered in China, including nearly 100,000 BMW pure electric vehicles.

According to the plan, this year, BMW Group will accelerate its renewal comprehensively. Over 20 new and upgraded BMW and MINI brand products will form a new combination, with 11 pure electric models in China to cover the main market segments.

By strengthening intelligence, increasing luxury, and leveraging brand influence and channel advantages, BMW intends to extend the glory of the era of fuel vehicles into the new energy era. A comprehensive battle is thus underway