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  • BMW Reports 11% Drop in Pretax Profit as Restructuring Hits Margins

    BMW Reports 11% Drop in Pretax Profit as Restructuring Hits Margins

    BMW reported an 11% drop in third-quarter pretax earnings to €2.1 billion ($2.4 billion), warning that restructuring costs will depress its core automotive operating margin to between minus 0.5% and 0.5% this year.

    Chief executive Milan Nedeljkovic announced plans to speed up structural cuts, including 8,000 layoffs in Germany, after issuing the group’s second profit warning in less than five months late on Tuesday.

    Quarterly revenue slid 6% to €30.4 billion as sales in China fell 22% across the first nine months of the year, pressuring core automotive margins down to 3.4% from 5.2% a year earlier.

    Margin Pressure Across Asian Showrooms

    German premium brands face an unprecedented squeeze in China, where aggressive price cuts by domestic electric vehicle manufacturers have eaten away foreign market share. BMW’s operating performance reflects that erosion directly. Excluding the one-off restructuring charges, management expects an underlying margin above 2%, down sharply from its historic operational corridor.

    Rival Mercedes-Benz likewise booked lower earnings for the third quarter. Porsche managed a small rebound after previous model overhaul charges, though it continues to scale down exposure to mainland buyers. Foreign vehicle importers can no longer rely on Chinese dealership networks to generate outsized cash flow to bankroll global operations.

    Factory Reorganisation and Export Reorientation

    Chief executive Milan Nedeljkovic is reorganising the group’s manufacturing footprint to protect returns. BMW plans to localise component supply chains and technical development inside China, turning its mainland assembly lines into an export hub targeting wider Asia-Pacific territories.

    Current developments in our industry call for decisiveness and swift implementation. We will therefore specifically intensify and accelerate structural measures.

    The revised regional framework also introduces tailored product lines elsewhere. The carmaker plans an expanded range of large luxury sport-utility vehicles for US buyers and an entry-level platform designed specifically for Europe.

    The Neue Klasse Rollout

    This revision marks the second profit warning BMW delivered within five months. Operating margins in the core vehicle division had held at 5.2% during the third quarter of last year before aggressive domestic discounts in China wiped out dealer pricing power across Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities.

    The company now relies on its new architecture to stop the slide. Deliveries of the Neue Klasse platform begin in China this month with the retail launch of the electric iX3, setting up a critical test for Nedeljkovic’s long-term margin target of 8% to 10%.

  • BMW Starts Sixth Generation Battery Production at 10 Billion Yuan Shenyang Hub

    BMW Starts Sixth Generation Battery Production at 10 Billion Yuan Shenyang Hub

    BMW started mass production of its sixth-generation high-voltage batteries in Shenyang on Thursday. The company invested 10 billion yuan ($1.49 billion) to supply its upcoming Neue Klasse electric vehicle lineup.

    The 240,000-square-metre facility expands the German carmaker’s battery footprint in Liaoning province to five times its previous size.

    Output will initially feed assembly lines for the China-exclusive Neue Klasse iX3 sport utility vehicle and the long-wheelbase i3 sedan. Shenyang is BMW’s third battery plant globally to build the Gen 6 pack. It joins sites in Debrecen, Hungary, and Irlbach-Strasskirchen, Germany. Outside Germany, the Chinese complex is the only location producing the Energy Master central control unit, an in-house hardware and software module that manages high-voltage power distribution.

    Cylindrical Cells and 800-Volt Architecture

    The new powertrain switches to large cylindrical cells integrated into an 800-volt electrical architecture. BMW tested the setup in a long-wheelbase i3 50L sedan over expressways, national highways, and urban streets. It logged a road-test range of 1,213 kilometres on a single charge with 1 per cent battery capacity remaining. The vehicle carried a 113.4-kilowatt-hour battery pack. It averaged power consumption of 8.8 kilowatt-hours per 100 kilometres.

    Charging hardware on the Neue Klasse platform accepts direct-current rates up to 400 kilowatts. That rate replenishes 400 kilometres of driving range in 10 minutes. Rear-wheel-drive configurations anchored initial trials. Dual-motor all-wheel-drive editions will output 345 kilowatts (463 horsepower) and 645 Newton-metres of torque.

    BMW Brilliance split cell sourcing between domestic suppliers. It secured large cylindrical ternary lithium packs from EVE Energy for top-trim 50L models, alongside contracts with Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. (CATL) for standard variants. With battery assembly operational, all three primary hardware elements of BMW’s sixth-generation electric drive system are now built locally in Liaoning.

    Local Software Alliances Shift Premium Dynamics

    Foreign premium carmakers in China face shrinking profit margins as domestic brands capture market share with price cuts and localized digital cockpits. BMW is pairing heavy capital spending in Shenyang with Chinese technology alliances to keep pace. The carmaker outsourced its autonomous driving software pipeline to Beijing-based Momenta. It also integrated artificial intelligence voice controls developed with Alibaba Group Holding and DeepSeek.

    European premium marques historically kept core software development inside corporate headquarters. That model is changing. By embedding Chinese software and local computing platforms into Neue Klasse models before showroom launch, BMW cuts engineering turnaround cycles. It also avoids the software delays that plagued earlier European battery-electric entries in China.

    Commercial risk sits squarely on retail pricing power. Domestic rivals such as Nio, Zeekr, and Li Auto operate at compressed margins. That forces foreign legacy brands to match steep discounting or accept lower factory run rates. BMW Group Chairman Oliver Zipse stated during the Shenyang launch ceremony that local production will account for more than 95 per cent of BMW vehicles sold in China by 2030, leaving little room to retreat if volumes stumble.

    Building Out the Shenyang Production Base

    Groundwork for the battery plant began in May 2023 under a joint venture blueprint to localize component assembly ahead of vehicle assembly. The Shenyang complex now houses casting, combustion engine manufacturing, battery assembly, and power electronics under one operating footprint.

    Pre-sales for the long-wheelbase Neue Klasse iX3 opened on August 21 at a starting price of 269,900 yuan ($39,810). Regulatory filings published in September confirmed the i3 50L sedan rides on a 3,005-millimetre wheelbase. That adds 39 millimetres of cabin space over the outgoing China-built electric 3 Series.

    Deliveries of the Neue Klasse iX3 reach Chinese dealerships in November. The i3 sedan follows with its market launch before the end of the fourth quarter.

  • BYD Pushes European Production as Sales Reach 4.27 Million Units

    BYD Pushes European Production as Sales Reach 4.27 Million Units

    BYD delivered 4.27 million new energy vehicles last year, expanding its European footprint. The surge steps up competitive pressure on German automakers across their core regional markets.

    Total sales for 2024 rose 41 percent over the previous year. That growth gives the Shenzhen-based automaker added scale as it builds its first European assembly facility.

    Bypassing Tariffs in Hungary

    Construction is underway on a passenger car plant in Szeged, Hungary. Vehicles assembled there will be built inside the European Union rather than shipped from Chinese ports.

    Local assembly lets the carmaker bypass additional tariffs the European Commission imposed on battery electric vehicles imported from China. The Commission determined in 2024 that Chinese state subsidies harmed European producers, introducing penalties to offset pricing differences.

    The Szeged plant will create thousands of local jobs and source components through regional supply chains, establishing a domestic European operating base.

    Pressure on German Brands

    German automotive groups face mounting headwinds across their volume and luxury segments. Volkswagen, BMW and Mercedes-Benz built their global market presence on engineering standards and brand prestige, supported by specialist badges including Audi and Porsche.

    Sluggish domestic economic growth, persistent inflation and supply chain friction now squeeze profit margins across German operations. Lower production costs and rapid development cycles from Chinese competitors directly challenge those legacy advantages.

    Pricing pressure in electric passenger cars leaves legacy European manufacturers with narrow operating margins. Chinese competitors produce battery packs and vehicle software internally, cutting component costs below what German supply networks currently deliver.

    Policy and Market Headwinds

    Trade barriers alone offer limited protection for European carmakers once overseas competitors start manufacturing inside the trade bloc. European manufacturers must match competitive vehicle prices while investing heavily in software architecture and battery chemistry.

    The European Commission outlined these structural vulnerabilities in its 2025 automotive action plan. The report warned that European automakers risk falling behind international rivals in battery development, vehicle software systems and autonomous driving platforms.

    Brussels now pairs import duties with domestic manufacturing incentives. Factory investments by Chinese firms inside the trade bloc weaken that intended barrier.

    Expansion from 2022 Entry

    BYD formally entered the European passenger car market in 2022 before committing capital to the Hungarian production site. Economists compare the broader shift to the manufacturing trade integration seen after China joined the World Trade Organization in December 2001.

    German automakers must now defend market share across both electric sedans and compact sport utility vehicles as local assembly begins. The decisive metric will be the production start date at the Szeged plant and the final retail pricing of its Hungary-built models.

  • BMW Motorrad Pursues Partnerships with Indian and Chinese Rivals

    BMW Motorrad Pursues Partnerships with Indian and Chinese Rivals

    BMW Motorrad is pursuing collaboration with motorcycle manufacturers in India and China as European and Japanese brands face growing pressure from lower-cost Asian rivals.

    Markus Flasch, chief executive of the German automaker’s motorcycle unit, outlined the strategy in Tokyo as traditional manufacturers adjust to shifting global competition.

    Pressure from lower-cost producers

    European and Japanese motorcycle brands face a more demanding market environment as Indian and Chinese builders scale up output with lower pricing structures. Flasch said brand prestige, heritage and manufacturing quality continue to carry equal weight with consumers alongside price competitiveness.

    Cooperation across key markets

    Working directly with regional manufacturers gives established global brands access to local production scale and competitive cost bases in key Asian territories. Flasch indicated that maintaining technical standards and premium positioning remains central to the group’s response to rising competition across developing two-wheeler markets.

    BMW Motorrad is now evaluating operational alignments as domestic players in India and China accelerate their own product rollouts and international expansion.

  • Fire Engulfs Cars at Kuala Lumpur’s KL Gateway Mall

    Fire Engulfs Cars at Kuala Lumpur’s KL Gateway Mall

    Kuala Lumpur’s KL Gateway Mall experienced a fire in its parking facility on August 17, 2026. The blaze, which originated on the P1 level of the basement parking, led to significant damage to two vehicles.

    City officials confirmed that a BMW was completely destroyed by the fire, while a Perodua Axia sustained partial damage. Emergency services were promptly on the scene to manage the situation.

    Emergency Response And Cause

    The Kuala Lumpur Fire and Rescue Department was alerted to the incident around 12:43 AM. A team from the Pantai fire station, along with assistance from Seputeh, was dispatched to the mall.

    Firefighters successfully extinguished the blaze using water from their trucks, bringing the situation under control by 1:33 AM. Investigations are currently underway to determine the exact cause of the fire, though no injuries were reported from the incident.

    Impact On Mall Operations

    While the fire was contained to the basement parking area and quickly put out, such incidents can cause temporary disruptions for mall operators and visitors. The immediate aftermath often involves assessment of structural integrity, clearing smoke, and ensuring safety protocols are maintained.

    KL Gateway Mall, a mixed-development complex featuring retail, residences, and offices, is a significant urban hub in Kuala Lumpur. Mall management is expected to cooperate fully with authorities during the investigation and remediation process.

    Questions & Answers

    When and where did the fire occur?
    The fire took place on August 17, 2026, in the basement parking lot (P1 level) of KL Gateway Mall in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

    What was the extent of the damage caused by the fire?
    A BMW vehicle was completely destroyed, and a Perodua Axia suffered partial damage. Fortunately, no injuries were reported as a result of the incident.

    Which authorities responded to the fire?
    The Kuala Lumpur Fire and Rescue Department, with teams from the Pantai and Seputeh fire stations, responded to the alarm and successfully extinguished the blaze.

  • German Automotive Giants BMW, Mercedes, and VW Transform for a New Era of Innovation

    German Automotive Giants BMW, Mercedes, and VW Transform for a New Era of Innovation

    Under mounting pressure from Washington and Beijing, German automotive stalwarts BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen are stepping back into the limelight at IAA Mobility in Munich. With billions poured into new electric models and a refreshed global strategy, these industry titans aim to reaffirm their critical role in shaping the future of mobility.

    At the IAA Mobility, the local heavyweights take center stage, as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen look to reclaim their spotlight amid fierce competition from a growing influx of Chinese brands. With 14 Chinese manufacturers showcasing their innovations, nearly half of all exhibitors hail from the East, challenging traditional automotive powerhouses in new ways.

    Reclaiming Ground on Home Turf

    The three German carmakers are leveraging the event to unveil their latest fully electric models, signaling their intent to keep Chinese competitors in check while also eyeing expansion into the U.S. market, despite the challenges of the ongoing trade war initiated by former President Donald Trump.

    The German automotive sector has faced tumultuous years marked by restructurings, job cuts, and strategic overhauls. The rise of Chinese manufacturers has intensified competition, compelling the industry to innovate rapidly. Initially burdened by hefty U.S. tariffs of 27.5 percent, later reduced to 15 percent but still looming, the industry has pivoted decisively toward electric drivetrains, software, and artificial intelligence.

    Volkswagen’s CEO, Oliver Blume, declared, “We are going on the offensive,” while Mercedes-Benz’s Ola Källenius portrayed a “wind of optimism” enveloping an industry that is investing like never before to face a rapidly changing landscape.

    French Motors Make a Splash

    Renault is also making its presence felt in Munich, showcasing its successful electric models such as the R5, Megane, and Scenic, while premiering the sixth generation of its renowned Clio. Celebrated for over three decades, the Clio now boasts over 33 percent recycled materials, a 160 hp hybrid drive, and upgraded connectivity features.

    The Chinese Challenge Intensifies

    Yet, the road ahead won’t be easy. Chinese brands have doubled their foothold in the European market over the past year, skyrocketing from 2.9 percent to 5.9 percent. Stella Li, vice president of BYD, the world’s largest seller of electrified vehicles, asserted, “BYD is here to stay.” In Munich, they are showcasing the innovative Seal 6 DM-i Touring plug-in hybrid, crafted in Hungary, along with cutting-edge charging technology that can provide 400 kilometers of range in just five minutes — talk about quick pit stops!

    Other hopefuls like Leapmotor are targeting younger buyers with stylish compact models, while Xpeng announces ambitions to enter 60 countries by the end of 2025, kicking off with Switzerland this month and launching a new AI-driven P7 sedan development center in Munich.

    BMW has unveiled its Neue Klasse iX3 SUV, boasting an impressive range of up to 800 kilometers and adding 369 kilometers in just ten minutes of charging—an homage to design aesthetics from the 1960s. Mercedes focuses on the electric GLC, featuring a 713-kilometer range alongside an illuminated Maybach-style grille. Meanwhile, Volkswagen is reviving its roots with the iD.Polo, expected to launch in 2026 at a price under 25,000 euros, including a sporty GTI variant.

    Volkswagen faces a dilemma, grappling with losses in China and significant expenses stemming from U.S. tariffs, which are especially affecting Audi and Porsche. Audi recently fell out of Germany’s leading DAX index, following a stock decline exceeding 45 percent since its IPO due to weak Taycan sales in the Chinese market and high costs associated with in-house EV development. Blume’s dual role as CEO of both Porsche and Volkswagen adds to the complexity.

    Amid these struggles, Volkswagen has over 5,000 employees at its Tennessee plant and is eyeing further investment, contingent upon positive signals from the U.S. market, though specifics remain under wraps.

    Questions & Answers

    What challenges are German automakers currently facing in the market?
    German automakers are contending with increased competition from Chinese manufacturers, significant losses in the Chinese market, and the financial burdens of U.S. tariffs that have weighed heavily on companies like Audi and Porsche.

    What new electric models are being introduced by the German carmakers at IAA Mobility?
    BMW premiered its Neue Klasse iX3 SUV with a range of up to 800 kilometers, Mercedes showed off the all-electric GLC with a 713-kilometer range, and Volkswagen is set to reintroduce the iD.Polo, a sporty model priced under 25,000 euros.

    How have Chinese automotive brands impacted the European market?
    Chinese brands have significantly increased their market share in Europe, doubling from 2.9 percent to 5.9 percent in just one year, showcasing a strong commitment to becoming key players in the region with innovative electric vehicles.

  • BMW narrows gap with market leader Mercedes in Vietnam’s luxury car scene

    BMW narrows gap with market leader Mercedes in Vietnam’s luxury car scene

    Mercedes, the best-selling luxury auto brand in Vietnam for years, is seeing BMW close the gap rapidly following the start of local production.

    Mercedes sold 3,416 units last year, a 57% decline from 2022 but still the highest for the seven luxury brands in Vietnam.

    BMW jumped from fourth place in 2022 to second last year with sales of 2,023, a 108% increase. It was the only brand to achieve an increase in sales.

    In third place was Lexus with 1,532 units, a marginal drop from 2022. Volvo, Audi, Porsche, and Land Rover followed it. Together the seven sold 8,638 vehicles, down 36%.

    Mercedes used to outsell BMW 6-8:1, but the gap has narrowed to around 1.5 times. Its share of the luxury auto market has dropped from 60% in 2022 to 40% while BMW’s has jumped from 7% to 23%.

    The rise is attributed to BMW’s manufacture in Vietnam by Thaco. The first BMWs made in Vietnam were sold at the end of 2022, and now four models are sold at cheaper prices than imported units.

    Among the models are Series 3 and X3, which are considered the main competitors to Mercedes’s C-class and GLC.

    Brad Kelly, CEO of Mercedes Vietnam, said that the race between Mercedes and BMW has become more even and similar to their competition globally. But others in the luxury segment have also been gearing up.

    In March Audi opened its third showroom in HCMC and fifth in the country. It is in a residential area and includes a quick maintenance facility.

    This is its new type of urban showroom, and it plans to open more in Vietnam to reach 18 by 2032. Managing director of Audi Vietnam, Ferry Enders, expects luxury vehicle sales to surpass the auto industry average.

    Volvo Vietnam earlier this year opened its fourth showroom. Land Rover opened a showroom in Hanoi last year and plans to open one in HCMC latest by next year. Mercedes now has 17 showrooms and BMW, 15.

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  • BMW Introduces Digital Key Plus For Android Smartphones

    BMW Introduces Digital Key Plus For Android Smartphones

    BMW introduced the smartphone as a digital vehicle key in 2018 and since then the company has been pressing ahead with the development and popularisation of its BMW Digital Key feature. The feature was made available to iPhone users in January 2021, and BMW has now added the same feature to Samsung & Google Android phones as well. The BMW Digital Key Plus is a convenient and secure way to unlock and start your car without taking your smartphone out of your bag or pocket, similar to a physical key that supports keyless entry & start.

    The new, additional features enabled by the BMW Digital Key Plus are based on Ultra-Wideband technology. This short-range, high-bandwidth digital radio technology is characterised by an exceptionally precise localization with the greatest possible security. UWB’s precision also ensures that relay attacks, where the radio signal is jammed or intercepted, are not possible.

    With the Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC), BMW has been working closely with Google as well as Apple to develop the corresponding specification with partners and established it as a global standard for the automotive industry. This has also enabled secure, cross-platform sharing of Digital Key between iPhone and compatible Android devices via email, SMS or any other messaging service. Until now, the feature was restricted to only iPhone & Apple watch users, but it will now be added to Select Samsung & Google devices – running Android 13.1 or later – which include Samsung Galaxy S23+, S23 Ultra, S22+, S22 Ultra, S21+, S21 Ultra, Z Fold4, Z Fold3, Note20 Ultra, and Google Pixel 7 Pro & Pixel 6 Pro.

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  • BMW Has Partnered With AirConsole To Deliver Games On Its EV Infotainment Systems

    BMW Has Partnered With AirConsole To Deliver Games On Its EV Infotainment Systems

    BMW has partnered with AirConsole which will enable the implementation of causal video games on infotainment systems of electric BWMs. Drivers and passengers of BMW vehicles can access the games. The partnership has happened via the BMW Startup Garage Program which works as a venture client unit for early stage startups. The BWM startup garage program takes startups that have graduated from accelerator programs and help them validate their prototypes.

    New games will be added to BMW vehicles via over-the-air updates. The games will be available on BMW vehicles that have curved screens and its EVs. Drivers will only need their smartphone to use as a controller and they can connect to the system by scanning a QR code.

    “With AirConsole we will leverage innovative technologies combined with a broad variety of fun and multiplayer games. This will make every waiting situation inside the vehicle, such as charging, an enjoyable moment,” said Senior VP, Stephan Durach, who leads the connected company at BMW.

    BMW is looking to offer cordless console experiences to its customers in a bid to emulate what Tesla has achieved with its infotainment system.

    “We are extremely proud to spearhead gaming inside vehicles with BMW and are excited to create new games for in-car entertainment. Our ingenious architecture coupled with the ease of access of our platform will change the way people get entertained in their vehicles,” said Anthony Cliquot, the CEO of N-Dream.

    No word has been shared on to which games will be available at launch. AirConsole will share more information near the launch in 2023.

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  • BMW To Create Up To 6,000 New Jobs Next Year

    BMW To Create Up To 6,000 New Jobs Next Year

    Germany’s BMW plans to create up to 6,000 new jobs next year to prepare for growing demand for its electric vehicles, the carmaker’s chief executive told daily Muenchner Merkur.

    BMW is on a very good path through the transformation and has its plants prepared for e-mobility, Oliver Zipse was quoted as saying in an interview published on Wednesday. “That is why we will increase our workforce by up to five percent next year.”

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  • BMW’s CEO Expects Chip Shortage To Last Into 2023

    BMW’s CEO Expects Chip Shortage To Last Into 2023

    A shortage of semiconductors is likely to remain a problem for the auto industry into 2023, German carmaker BMW’s Chief Executive Oliver Zipse said in an interview with newspaper Neue Zuercher Zeitung (NZZ) published on Monday.

    “We are still in the height of the chip shortage,” Zipse was quoted as saying. “I expect us to start seeing improvements at the latest next year, but we will still have to deal with a fundamental shortage in 2023.”

    BMW said during its annual press briefing in mid-March that it expected the chip shortage to last throughout 2022.

    Zipse’s comments echoed similar statements by Volkswagen’s CFO Arno Antlitz on Saturday who said he expected that supply of chips would not be able to meet demand until 2024.

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  • BMW To Create Up To 6,000 New Jobs Next Year

    BMW To Create Up To 6,000 New Jobs Next Year

    Germany’s BMW plans to create up to 6,000 new jobs next year to prepare for the growing demand for its electric vehicles, the carmaker’s chief executive said.

    BMW is on a very good path through the transformation and has its plants prepared for e-mobility, Oliver Zipse was quoted as saying in an interview published on Wednesday. “That is why we will increase our workforce by up to five percent next year.”

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  • BMW Claims Outperforming Mercedes-Benz In Sales For The First Time In Six Years

    BMW Claims Outperforming Mercedes-Benz In Sales For The First Time In Six Years

    BMW AG is claiming that it outperformed Mercedes-Benz in terms of sales in 2021. The carmaker has beaten its German counterpart for the first time in the last six years as Mercedes-Benz had been the highest-selling luxury carmaker since 2015. Pieter Nota, Head Of Sales – BMW Group took to LinkedIn saying, “Proudly claiming number one position in the global premium automotive segment for the BMW brand in 2021,” Nota has credited the sales growth to the carmaker’s product range and operational performance.

    That said, BMW is yet to disclose the annual sales numbers of 2021 but has said that deliveries have been tracking ahead of the Daimler AG brand for much of this year. According to reports, the Bavarian carmaker has been comparatively less impacted by the semiconductor shortage crisis. In fact, there is a good chance that Mercedes-Benz’s sales have been impacted mainly due to the semiconductor issue that disrupted production. Mercedes on Monday said scarce supply of components will continue to grip the industry during the first half of the year.

    According to news reports, BMW will publish its full-year sales data on January 12 which is when we’ll get an idea of its sales. The carmaker delivered sold 1.7 million units in the first three quarters of 2021 and exceeded Mercedes-Benz’s by over 1.12 lakh units. Even in India, BMW Group recorded the highest ever sales growth in a decade this year at 35 percent selling 8,876 cars (BMW + MINI) and 5,191 motorcycles in 2021.

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  • Electric Vehicle Battery Startup ONE Backed By BMW

    Electric Vehicle Battery Startup ONE Backed By BMW

    Michigan-based Our Next Energy, which is developing an advanced battery for electric vehicles, has raised $25 million from investors ranging from German automaker BMW to a clean technology venture firm headed by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, the young company said on Monday.

    Investors in ONE’s Series A round include BMW iVentures, Detroit-based Assembly Ventures and Chicago-based Volta Energy Technologies, which is partnered with Argonne National Laboratories. Another investor is Singapore-based electronics manufacturer Flex Ltd, which is also a strategic partner with ONE.

    The round was led by Breakthrough Energy Ventures, the investment arm of Breakthrough Energy, founded by Gates in 2015 to support and fund innovations to counter climate change. Among the Kirkland, Washington company’s investments: Battery recycler Redwood Materials, electric aircraft maker ZeroAvia and solid-state battery developer QuantumScape.

    ONE, a year-old startup that only recently emerged from stealth mode, is working on a dual battery that combines a structural cell-to-pack design that uses cobalt- and nickel-free cathodes, with a second, high-energy pack that can recharge the first, potentially doubling vehicle range to 750 miles.

    ONE founder and chief executive Mujeeb Ijaz, a battery systems engineer with more than 30 years’ experience at Ford Motor Co, Apple Inc and A123 Systems, said of the financial backers, “We wanted to surround ourselves with people who are in this for the long term. They can help our company grow, and they are also magnets for other technology.”

    The new investment will help fund research and development, ranging from battery software and power electronics to artificial intelligence and machine learning, Ijaz said.

    “We plan to go from raw materials all the way to (battery) cell manufacturing,” he said, adding that ONE may seek additional funding and partners next year to help the company scale-up manufacturing.

  • Land Rover Range Rover Teased Ahead Of Debut

    Land Rover Range Rover Teased Ahead Of Debut

    The Land Rover Range Rover is no ordinary SUV and the arrival of the new-generation model is always special. It’s one of the oldest brands in the full-size luxury SUV segment and the next-generation model will rival the likes of the Mercedes-Maybach GLS and BMW X7 and other premium SUVs like the Aston Martin DBX, Porsche Cayenne, and even the Lamborghini Urus gave its pricing. Land Rover has released the first teaser of the 2022 Range Rover which is a new-generation model and is all set to make its official debut on October 26, 2021.

    Now the teaser image doesn’t give us much insight of the design but we get a sense that the overall silhouette has been retained. That said, expect to see some significant updates made to the front end and even at the rear. The bronze color SUV in the teaser image also gives us an idea that Land Rover might introduce some new body colors on the new Range Rover. Then, it is also expected to be an all-new model by transitioning to Jaguar Land Rover’s new MLA platform. Then, the 2022 Range Rover will be offered with a variety of powertrain options which will include plug-in hybrid (PHEV) as well, and of course in both configurations. The latter is probably scheduled to arrive later in the model’s life cycle. And finally, expect a performance version as well with the 4.4-liter, twin-turbo V8 engine sourced from BMW.

    Switching to the new platform should bring some significant updates as well like more room on the inside where a potential increase in the vehicle’s size is expected. Land Rover’s latest Pivi Pro infotainment system is one of the safest guesses on the inside, given its flagship status and some variants are also rumored to get rear-wheel steering offering tighter turning radius at lower speeds and better agility at higher speeds