Munich. Sheer driving pleasure, BMW i,
EfficientDynamics: at the BMW Group, emotion and sustainability go
hand in hand. The company’s strength as an innovator and its
consistent future focus will ensure the success of premium mobility
“Made in Germany”. From electric powertrains to cutting-edge,
low-emission, low-carbon diesel solutions that meet Euro 6 standards,
the BMW Group sets the technological benchmark.
“Sustainability is as much a part of us as Sheer Driving Pleasure.
With BMW i, we were the first German manufacturer to make a clear
commitment to electric mobility,” BMW AG Management Board Chairman
Harald Krüger explained. “But as well as emotion
and pleasure, we are convinced that future mobility must be
sustainable mobility. We are driving the transition as hard and as
fast as possible and have launched more electrified vehicles than any
of our established competitors.”
However, electrification is not the only sustainable drive solution:
“Future mobility will definitely depend on state-of-the-art diesels as
well,” said Krüger, “because environmental protection has several
dimensions: one of them is the fight against climate change.”
Modern, efficient diesel engines ensure lower CO2 emissions and
therefore make an important contribution to protecting the
environment. In addition, when it comes to many unwanted emissions,
diesels are just as clean or even cleaner than petrol engines. This
can certainly be said of particulate, hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide
emissions, meaning that three of the four major diesel pollutant
issues have been resolved and no longer have any adverse effect on air
quality. This is why the BMW Group is calling for objective
discussions based on facts and scientific evidence.
In this context, the BMW Group supports the comprehensive measures of
the “National Diesel Forum” aimed at further improving air quality in cities.
- In addition to these measures, the BMW Group is preparing an
EU-wide fleet-renewal campaign which will have a positive impact
on resources, the climate and the environment as a whole.
Initially until 31 December 2017, owners of diesel vehicles that
meet Euro 4 standards or less will be granted an environment bonus
of up to €2,000 (amount dependent on model bought) when they trade
in their vehicle and purchase a new BMW or MINI. Their chosen
replacement must be either a BMW i3, a plug-in hybrid or a Euro
6-standard vehicle with CO2 emissions of up to 130 grams per
kilometer (in the NEDC). This special campaign will begin soon,
certainly before the end of August. The bonus is in addition to
any other government incentives. - Averaged across the fleet, BMW Group diesel vehicles emit 40% less
NOX than the German average, as reported by the Germany Federal
Environment agency in April 2017. These excellent figures are true
for both our Euro 5 and Euro 6 vehicles. In addition, experience
gained through actual on-road driving between 2010 and 2015 means
the BMW Group can offer an additional optimisation of the
exhaust-treatment system for 225,000 of the Euro 5 models currently
on the road in Germany – at no extra cost to the customer, of course.
- Furthermore, the BMW Group is investing in the Sustainable Urban
Mobility fund and is using the opportunities offered by
digitalisation to support major cities to better handle increased
traffic volumes, thereby reducing emissions. Based on projects like
the strategic partnership with Hamburg on the roll-out of electric
mobility and the research project “City2Share” with Munich and
Hamburg, the BMW Group is intensifying its dialogue with municipal
authorities in order to establish better conditions for increased
electric mobility and car-sharing.
With regard to the current diesel debate, Krüger said, “For almost
two years now, diesel technology which is cutting-edge, highly
efficient and popular with customers has been deliberately and
publicly discredited. This has caused tremendous uncertainty among
millions of drivers and it’s not going to get us anywhere. The German
automotive industry will remain strong in innovation: we will provide
tomorrow’s mobility solutions.”
The BMW Group has repeatedly made clear that its exhaust treatment
technologies are very different from others available in the market
and the company continues to seek true competition in this area. The
company categorically rejects allegations made by some media of
non-compliant technology employed in diesel exhaust-treatment systems.
“Investigations by authorities at home and abroad confirm that
vehicles by the BMW Group are not rigged for testing purposes,” Krüger explained.
In addition to the ongoing optimisation of the internal combustion
engine, the BMW Group is forging ahead with the roll-out of electric
mobility. Moving forward, flexible vehicle architectures and
manufacturing facilities will allow the BMW Group to decide at short
notice which models and volumes to produce with what type of drive:
highly efficient combustion-powered, plug-in hybrid or fully electric.
In 2017, the BMW Group expects sales of its electrified vehicles to
exceed 100,000 for the first time in a single year, with the
all-electric BMW i3, BMW i8, BMW iPerformance plug-in hybrids and the
plug-in hybrid MINI Countryman all contributing to the figures. The
company’s electrified range currently comprises nine electrified
vehicles and will be further complemented in 2018 by the all-new BMW
i8 Roadster. Shortly after that, battery-only solutions will be rolled
out across the BMW Group’s core brands, with Plant Oxford starting
production of the battery-powered MINI in 2019, and the battery-only
BMW X3 following in 2020. The following year, 2021, will see the
launch of the BMW Group’s new technology spearhead: the all-electric
BMW iNEXT. This will be manufactured at Plant Dingolfing – a decision
that underscores the importance of Germany as a base for future
technologies and a centre of excellence for electric mobility.
For questions please contact:
Corporate Communications
Max-Morten Borgmann, Business and Finance Communications
Telephone: +49 89 382-24118, Fax: +49 89 382-24418
Max-Morten.Borgmann@bmwgroup.com
Michael Rebstock, Business and Finance Communications
Telephone: +49 89 382-20470, Telefax: +49 89 382-24418
Michael.Rebstock@bmwgroup.com
Internet: www.press.bmwgroup.com
e-mail: presse@bmw.de
The BMW Group
With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW
Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and
motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services.
As a global company, the BMW Group operates 31 production and assembly
facilities in 14 countries and has a global sales network in more than
140 countries.
In 2016, the BMW Group sold approximately 2.367 million cars and
145,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax was approximately
€ 9.67 billion on revenues amounting to € 94.16 billion. As of 31
December 2016, the BMW Group had a workforce of 124,729 employees.
The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term
thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established
ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain,
comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to
conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy.
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