BMW has confirmed it will launch a new line of environment-friendly vehicles, including all-electric models, under its own brand.
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“Our ‘project i’ is working on a Megacity vehicle as well as on new mobility concepts,” chairman Norbert Reithofer said.
“This auto will be launched on the market as a sub-brand of BMW. As BMW is the innovation driver within the group, the decision for a sub-brand under BMW is the most logical step.”
The automaker began ‘real world’ trials of 500 units of its electric Mini E in the US last March.
Added Reithofer: “We as well as other companies have invested early on in the development of new, economic technologies. Now it is all about establishing suitable regulations on an international level that will help a new type of mobility to grow.
“A promising option also for us is electric mobility.”
BMW earlier this week said SB Limotive would supply battery cells for its future Megacity vehicles.
“This is a further step within ‘Strategy Number ONE’. This cooperation gives us access to state-of-the-art lithium-ion storage technology. Both partners of this joint venture Bosch and Samsung SDI have the competence and ability to handle the entire battery life cycle up to the stage of re-use or recycling. Acting sustainably also means thinking ahead,” Reithofer said.
Without new concepts and technologies, certain carmakers “may no longer be in the market” soon after the implementation of a variety of tax penalties and incentives designed to force the auto industry to go ‘green’, Reithofer told reporters during a conference call.
The new class of vehicles could include a two wheel model and would target commuters in large cities.
Previous plans to consider adding a fourth brand to the group’s existing BMW, Mini and Rolls-Royce had now been axed, BMW said and the first Megacity vehicle would be electric.
Rival Daimler already offers and electric Smart city car and both Mercedes-Benz and BMW are offering hybrid versions of their top line S-class and 7-series models.
No plans for all-electric BMW and Mercedes-Benz-branded models have been announced while volume automakers Nissan, Toyota and Volkswagen have all detailed plans to launch electric cars under their own brands in the next few years.
