BMW surpasses 2017 target of 100,000 electrified vehicles
BMW Group has managed to surpass its 2017 target of selling 100,000 electrified vehicles to customers worldwide, driven by the strong demands for models like the i3 and the 2-series plug-in hybrid Active Tourer, in Western Europe and the United States.
According to the independent POLK/IHS Report published on Dec 7, BMW Group has a clear lead over its competitors when it comes to registrations of new fully-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles in Europe, with a market share of 21 per cent.
Meanwhile in Malaysia, the premium automaker has established itself as the most successful premium hybrid brand in the country by delivering 6,200 units of the BMW iPerformance Hybrid Vehicles with eDrive technology.
The total deliveries signify that over 50 per cent of BMW Malaysia’s total volume for the country comprises Hybrid vehicles with eDrive technology, the highest product split share not only in the country but in Asean and the world for BMW Group.
“We are proud to announce that Malaysia is the world’s fifth largest market for the BMW iPerformance models after the US, UK and Europe. It is also the third largest market for the BMW 330e model after the US and UK,” said BMW Group Malaysia managing director and chief executive officer Han Sang Yun in a statement.
He added that Malaysia was the second largest market after the US for the BMW X5 and the third largest market after Japan and the US for the BMW 7 series.
“Malaysia is leading the way with many progressive countries with innovation in Future Mobility and Electro Mobility and our BMW iPerformance strategy here has been key in driving this success. While we at the BMW Group celebrate this milestone the world over, it is really a special feeling knowing that we in Malaysia played an important role in this success. We can only look forward to creating more successful milestones in 2018,” said Han.
BMW Group seeks to offer 25 electrified models by 2025. The fifth generation of electric drive train and battery technology will be available from 2021. It uses scalable, modular electrification kits that will allow all the model series to be fitted with every type of drive train.
For its BMW i electric brand, which was founded in 2011, the company has already secured the naming rights from BMW i1 to i9, as well as from BMW iX1 to iX9.
Next year will see the launch of the BMW i8 Roadster, followed by a fully electric MINI in 2019 and an electric version of the BMW X3 in 2020. In 2021, the group will introduce the brand’s new technology flagship, the BMW iNext, which will combine electro-mobility with autonomous driving and new interior connectivity options for the first time in a series-production model.
To mark the group’s accomplishment, an eye-catching light installation has transformed the BMW Group headquarters, the world-famous “FourCylinder” in the north of Munich, into a battery.
The BMW Group selected this glowing symbol to represent the technological change taking place in mobility.
“We deliver on our promises. This 99m-high signal is lighting the way into the era of electro-mobility. Selling 100,000 electrified cars in one year is an important milestone, but this is just the beginning for us.
“Since the introduction of the BMW i3 2013, we’ve delivered over 200,000 electrified cars to our customers and by 2025, we will offer 25 electrified models to our customers. Our early focus on electro-mobility has made this success possible - and electro-mobility will continue to be my measure for our future success,” said BMW AG chairman of the board of management Harald Kruger.