BMW is considering building a battery-powered car for the US market.
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CEO Norbert Reithofer told auto motor und sport magazine that it is currently in discussions on whether to produce the car alone or whether to cooperate with a partner. “Both options are possible,” said Reithofer. “We are aiming for a cooperation but if this is not possible then we would go alone.” He said a decision is likely this year.
According to Reithofer, BMW will be obliged to offer an environmentally-friendly car in the US from 2012 because it will be regarded as a manufacturer of large vehicles. The new car would be a small car positioned below the Mini and the 1-Series.
BMW has no history in electric cars, although it would be able to get access to lithium-ion battery technology developed by Daimler and Continental AG. BMW is currently developing hybrid technologies in partnership with Daimler.
See also: GERMANY: BMW and others to use Daimler lithium-ion battery technology
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