In 2021, the BMW Group will speed up its electrification, accelerate the introduction of electric models and expand related supporting services on a large scale, and sign a multi-million euro battery contract. At the same time, the BMW Group does not hesitate to invest in new technologies, and has reached cooperation with BlackBerry and Vodafone. Against the backdrop of a global chip shortage, the BMW Group has signed long-term supply contracts with suppliers such as GF to guarantee the supply of "millions" of chips per year. So, what other big things will the BMW Group accomplish in 2021? Come and take a look at it with The Gestapo!
(Source: BMW Group)
BMW unveils the iX and i4 to continue its electrification program
BMW officially released two pure electric models in 2021: BMW iX crossover and i4 sedan. The iX starts at $84,195 and the i4 starts at $56,395. The new model is part of BMW's electric vehicle program, which the company hopes to sell in pure electric vehicles by 2029, which will account for about half of global sales. Soon, BMW will also launch pure electric versions of the 5 Series, 7 Series sedans and X1 crossovers.
BMW will speed up electrification in China and build 360,000 charging piles by the end of the year
On June 3, BMW said at the first BMW Group Sustainable Development China Summit that it will invest in the construction of 360,000 charging piles in China by the end of 2021. In addition, BMW China will also build 100 "trinity" charging stations for photovoltaic, charging and energy storage by the end of 2022.
Accelerating the introduction of electric vehicles while expanding related supporting services on a large scale, BMW's electric route in the Chinese market has become more and more clear, and it is clear that the traditional luxury car giants have also understood the local customs and seized the focus of future competition in the automobile market - electric vehicles.
BMW and Vodafone have partnered to integrate 5G and Personal eSIM networks into vehicles for the first time
On September 2, BMW Group announced a partnership with Vodafone to integrate the 5G mobile radio standard into a global mass-produced BMW iX for the first time. The existing multi-SIM card protocol can be extended via the Vodafone One Number Car option to activate the Personal eSIM in the vehicle, so the vehicle can become another interconnect device for the customer, like a smartwatch. In addition to the high bandwidth and low latency of 5G, by using four external antennas and a 5G WiFi hotspot, users can enjoy ultra-high phone quality and up to 10 devices in the car. The activated Personal eSIM card is directly associated with the customer's BMW ID and can be smoothly transferred to other vehicles with eSIM capabilities, including other corresponding functions.
BMW ordered $24 billion worth of batteries to facilitate electrification
To meet the accelerating demand for electric vehicles, BMW has increased battery orders. BMW CEO Oliver Zipse said BMW has signed up to more than 20 billion euros (about $23.8 billion) in battery contracts, up from the previous 12 billion euros. The batteries ordered will be used in BMW i4 sedans, iX SUVs and other models that BMW will produce by 2024. The company plans to replace the new generation of batteries starting in 2022.
BMW's increased battery orders were provided by China's CATL and Eve Lithium Energy Company (EVE), South Korea's Samsung SDI and Sweden's Northvolt AB.
The BMW Group will invest an additional 25 billion yuan in Shenyang
On September 24, according to Xinhua News Agency, at the "Deepening the Introduction, Service Double Cycle" Expo exhibitors in Shenyang into Liaoning Economic and Trade Cooperation Promotion Conference, Chairman of the German BMW Group Qi Puce said in a video speech that BMW Group will further increase investment in Liaoning and will invest an additional 25 billion yuan in Shenyang in the future. In his speech, Chiptzer also introduced that in the future, the BMW Group will further increase its investment in Liaoning.
BMW invests in lithium technology startup Lilac Solutions
BMW announced it will invest in lithium technology startup Lilac Solutions to promote more efficient production of electric vehicle battery metals. BMW has bought lithium from China's Ganfeng Lithium and other traditional lithium producers and said Lilac's technology will drive global production of white precious metals as demand for electric vehicles grows. Kasper Sage of BMW Ventures, a BMW venture capital fund, said: "This merger will hopefully introduce new extraction technologies to capture more green lithium. ”
BMW canceled huD displays on some models due to lack of cores
Affected by the chip shortage, BMW will be forced to cancel the HUD display configuration on some models. The recently released ordering guide for new BMW models in Germany shows that some of the company's models have eliminated the HUD display, which was previously included in the innovation package that BMW offered for the 3 Series model in the German market, which cost 3,650 euros (about $4,200). After the removal of the HUD display, the innovation package is now priced at €2,500 (about $2,900) and is only available on the M340i, M340d and 330e models.
It is reported that not only the 3 Series will be affected, the HUD display in the 4 Series will also be eliminated, but the M440i and M440d will not be included. Of the X3 and X4 models, only the M40i, M40d and 30e models will retain a HUD display. The situation is similar for the Z4 Roadster, Series 1 and Series 2, where only consumers who purchase the M Performance version can order HUD displays. Some other high-end models, such as the 5 Series, don't seem to have been affected.
BMW has denied any intention to buy McLaren
On November 14, according to foreign media Automobilwoche, BMW was interested in McLaren's supercar business. A BMW spokesperson said Automobilwoche's report that "BMW intends to acquire McLaren" was "wrong."
BMW has long-term supply agreements with INOVA and GF to get "millions" of chips per year
On December 8, BMW said it had signed a long-term chip supply agreement with two semiconductor companies, INOVA and Globalfoundries, to guarantee a supply of "millions" of chips per year. Previously, due to a global shortage of spare parts, some BMW factories were forced to suspend production.
A BMW spokesperson said the chips supplied by the two companies will be used in the interior ambient lighting system, which will first be installed on the BMW iX electric SUV. BMW's chip deal shows that automakers are eschewing traditional component makers and working directly with semiconductor manufacturers to secure critical chip supplies.
BMW invents a new rear wheel steering system that makes driving and parking easier
Germany's BMW has applied for a new invention with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The brand claims that existing systems are too bulky, with most systems using steering tie bars to adjust the beam angle of each rear wheel, and that the vehicle also needs to accommodate subframes, axles, and components such as differentials and side axles in this space. BMW says this limits the angle to "up to 5 degrees.". To solve this problem, additional wheel frames are added to each hub, and the lower part of each wheel frame is equipped with actuators controlled by slot-shaped guides. According to reports, this can make the rear wheel angle up to 10 degrees, without increasing the space limit of the rear component.
BMW has reached an agreement with BlackBerry to develop next-generation automotive technology
The BMW Group announced an agreement with BlackBerry to develop next-generation automotive technology. Once the agreement is reached, BlackBerry will license BMW's QNX technology and assign a team of engineers to support the development of the new SAE L2/2+ autonomous driving capabilities for use in bmw's multiple brands and models.
BMW Group "electric acceleration", in 2022 will launch five pure electric vehicles in China
On December 16, the BMW Group announced that it will maintain synergy between its corporate strategy and China's development goals, upgrade its China strategy, and accelerate electrification, digitalization and sustainable development in China.
In 2022, the BMW Group will launch five pure electric models in the Chinese market, including BMW iX, BMW i4, as well as the all-electric BMW 3 Series and a pure electric flagship model. By the end of 2023, the BMW Group will offer around 13 pure electric products in the Chinese market. Looking ahead to 2025, the BMW Group plans to spend a quarter of its sales in the Chinese market on electric vehicles.
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