BMW Group: Vision Neue Klasse next-generation EV concept car

Production to start in Hungary in 2025; CATL and AESC to supply battery cells

2023/09/27

Summary
World premieres of Vision Neue Klasse and PHV version of BMW 5 Series at IAA Mobility 2023
Electrification strategy: Increasing BEV share of global sales to 50% by 2030
Batteries for Neue Klasse to be supplied by CATL in China and Europe and by AESC in USA
Autonomous driving: Semi-automated driving system approved for the first time in Germany
China: Launching 11 EVs in 2023 across all its brands
BMW Group’s unit sales increase by 4.7% to 1.22 million units in H1 2023
BMW Group upgrades its 2023 outlook with strong H1 performance
GlobalData Sales Forecast: BMW’s light vehicle sales expected to increase to 2.72 million units in 2026

Summary

BMW’s next-generation EV concept car Vision Neue Klasse (IAA Mobility 2023)

The BMW Group presented the world premiere of the Vision Neue Klasse, the BMW brand’s next-generation electric vehicle (EV) concept car, at the International Motor Show in Munich held in September 2023 (IAA Mobility 2023). The Neue Klasse EV-only platform, which underpins the Vision concept car, will be adopted by the next BMW 3 Series and other models in the midsize premium segment after 2025.

Other models exhibited at the IAA Mobility 2023 include the PHV version to be added to the 5 Series, the protection (i.e., armored, bulletproof) versions of the X5, i7, and 7 Series, as well as the iX5 Hydrogen, a fuel-cell vehicle based on the X5. The MINI brand presented the new MINI Countryman compact SUV and the MINI Cooper E/SE small hatchback, the first EV version of the MINI Cooper.

The BMW Group is accelerating its electrification plan to achieve its target of making at least 50% of its global sales be battery electric vehicles (BEVs) by 2030. In 2023, BEVs are expected to account for 15% of global sales. Total deliveries of BEVs will be 2 million units by the end of 2025. The BMW Group plans to have at least one BEV model available in all market segments by 2030.

The BMW Group is renovating facilities at many of its vehicle assembly plants for manufacturing EVs. Vehicles underpinned by the Neue Klasse all-electric platform for the next generation EVs will be manufactured at the Debrecen Plant in Hungary from 2025, also at the Munich Plant in Germany and the Shenyang Plant in China from 2026, as well as at the San Luis Potosi Plant in Mexico from 2027. The Neue Klasse vehicles will use cylindrical battery cells with increased energy density. These battery cells will be supplied from Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Ltd. (CATL) in China and Europe, and from AESC LLC in the U.S.

In June 2023, the BMW Group announced that it is the first German automaker to receive approval from the German Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) for its semi-automated driving system. The BMW Autobahn Assistant, available in the new 5 Series, allows drivers to take their hands off the steering wheel while driving at speeds up to 130km/h. The Valeo Group and BMW are developing Level 4 automated parking technology. As for the development of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) for its next-generation EVs, BMW is collaborating with Amazon Web Services, Inc. (AWS).

The BMW Group is also expanding sales of EVs in China and plans to launch 11 EVs in the country in 2023. BMW opened a new R&D center in Shanghai in July 2023, covering the development of user experience design and human-machine interaction.

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