BMW plans China production of electric Megacity car

Shanghai December 20 (Gasgoo.com) The Chinese market will give BMW Group a big boost to implement its global strategy for new energy vehicles, Christoph Stark said in a recent intervie with the Beijing News.

The German automaker even plans local production of the electric Megacity car after the start of volume production in 2013, he added.

BMW had taken a real road test of the Mini E in China two years ago, and has now extended the project. The Megacity will be launched in 2013 and is expected to be locally produced thereafter, Christoph Stark said, without disclosing the specific timetable and cooperation model.

The Megacity will feature a 35-kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Since an electric motor is much more compact than a gasoline engine, the car will not need a transmission, exhaust or muffler. The material used to build the car will comprise of aluminum and carbon fiber, and will match steel's strength while being half the weight of standard aluminum, according to sources.

Asked if BMW will create a new brand for its new energy vehicles in the future, Christoph Stark said it all depends on the Group's speed of development, organizational structure, production processes and whether the development cycle can meet the demand. As for the brand, he said when the timing is right, the Group will announce the news.

BMW earlier announced at the Beijing auto show that the Megacity will be sold under a sub-brand of BMW, but there was no mention of whether this is a new brand or possibly Mini.

China plays an important role in pushing forward development of new energy vehicles and electric vehicle components and parts. BMW will decide when and in what way to enter the country's electric vehicle market after having a good understanding of the local market as well as the performance of these locally-manufactured auto parts and components. BMW also wants to know what kind of resources it can acquire from the industry chain here, Christoph Stark said.