The “Power of Choice” slogan from BMW may not be as catchy as “the ultimate driving machine” from the past, but it describes the brand’s strategy exactly. Most rivals hurried to determine border guards for cars with burning engines, only to withdraw from these ambitious goals. In contrast, Munich always bets on a variety. Even today, when the new IX3 and new class make headlines, BMW insists that combustion engines still play a crucial role.
Board member Jochen Goller goes so far to say: “Ice and burn will never disappear. Never,” increases the conviction that BMW still sees a future for the gas engine. The statement that was made during an interview AutoCar Indiais not surprising. Shortly after BMW has confirmed the improvements for its inline-six and V8 drive lines to meet the upcoming Euro 7 regulations. However, the company continues to look forward and sees an indefinite future for internal combustion engines.
It is an interesting explanation, since the European Union from 2035 is still supposed to prohibit the sales of new combustion means cars. However, the decision is not final, since a review of the zero emission plan will take place before the end of the year. The guideline could still change, reporting that plug-in hybrids may be permitted after the middle of the next decade. In addition, EVS could be continued with range extension gas engines. After BMW used this setup in the i3, it will be brought back for the next generation X5.
BMW was consistently loud on this topic and insisted that it is premature to ban new incineration cars from 2035. Management risks of massive workplace losses and an underdeveloped EV charge infrastructure contradicts the German luxury brand to the proposed ban. At the beginning of this year, CEO Oliver Zipse argued that it all forced it to “lead a dead end in electric vehicles”.
Klaus von Moltke, head of the global drive train production and plant manager at BMW from Steyr Motors, recently said: “The fuels are our basis”. In fact, even diesel engines with the next generation X5 (G65), X6 (G66) and X7 (G67) report to diesel options.
By 2030, BMW projects will be evenly divided between combustion cars and electric vehicles. This would mark a larger shift compared to the previous year if only electric vehicles made up 17.4% of the total turnover of the BMW Group. The EV set up will probably expand by several other models by the end of the decade. We hear that an i3 touring, IX4, IX5, IX6 and an IX7 come. These would join the family new class together with the new i3 sedan from IX3 and the next year. An entry level I1 and/or I2 could debut before 2030.
Source: AutoCar India
