BMW leads the auto industry in new-energy vehicles(2)

Trend setter

BMW believes China plays a key role in the global new-energy vehicles market.

In 2010, BMW teamed with Tongji University and launched an electric car scientific research project, the first of such collaboration between China and Germany.

BMW is also very active in formulating charging standards, constructing charging facilities and promoting the development of NEV market in China.

BMW authorized 11 5S dealers to offer sales and after-sales services for BMW i models in the seven cities. With the increase in business, the company plans to bring on board more authorized dealers, as well as financial services in the future, to attract more customers.

In response to a government appeal, the company's local joint venture BMW Brilliance Automotive Ltd created the ZINORO brand in 2013 and its first pure electric car, the 1E, drove into the market just one year afterwards.

The ZINORO 1E is China's first new-energy vehicle produced by a premium joint venture, and the first such model available to customers through rental services.

According to BMW research, rentals are suitable for cultivating the electric car market as renting lowers customer concern about driving electric cars.

ZINORO has brand showrooms in Beijing and Shanghai, and offers services to many organizations and individuals through cooperation with partners such as the Beijing Guoan Football Club.

BMW Brilliance unveiled the new BMW 5 Series Plug-in Hybrid early this year, the 530Le is the world's first plug-in hybrid vehicle in the premium business sedan segment. Under pure electric drive mode, the car can accelerate to a top speed of 120km/h with maximum mileage of 58km. Its fuel consumption is only 2 liters per 100 km.

Heeding the idea of "Made in China, Made for China", BMW Brilliance established a research and development center in China in September 2013, where 500 engineers work to develop new-energy products and technologies.

Looking forward

BMW believes that plug-in hybrid technology will prevail among the BMW family in the future. Karsten Engel, the president & CEO of BMW Group Region China said BMW would bring more plug-in hybrid models to the Chinese market in 2015 as they have distinct energy-saving functions and unlimited driving mileage.

Last year, China became the world's second-largest market for new-energy vehicles only next to the United States.

The government has set up an ambitious goal of having 5 million new-energy cars on the road by 2020.

Combining the applicability of traditional vehicles with the energy-saving functions of electric cars, plug-in hybrid vehicles have huge potential. Plug-in hybrids now play a key role in all auto manufacturers' development strategies.