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The BMW Group is strengthening its focus on sustainable mobility with a goal to introduce new technologies that will achieve zero-emission vehicles to reduce the impact on the environment.
The world is constantly changing and the BMW Group is changing with it. Public awareness shows that the balance between individual mobility and protecting the environment is becoming increasingly important.
For the BMW Group, one definition of premium is leadership in the development of sustainable mobility. The manufacturer that offers the most efficient resource-friendly production and the most visionary solutions for eco-friendly individual mobility will have the edge. BMW Group has understood this change early on and has been able to act accordingly.
BMW Group's answer? Strategy Number ONE – a road map that ensures the company attains growth, profitability, shapes its future and introduces new technologies to achieve its goal of zero-emission vehicles that reduce the impact on the environment. In terms of BMW Group products, one of the main environmental aspects it focuses on is reducing fuel consumption and CO² emissions. In addition, the careful use of resources has always been a strong element in BMW's corporate philosophy – it is a concept that is lived and implemented not only in its cars but also in the way that they are built.
EfficientDynamics: The BMW Group has set itself clear targets and a vision reaching to the year 2020. The focus is a three-phased strategy called EfficientDynamics that includes short, medium and long term objectives:
- Short term, BMW introduced engine related technology solutions that have been integrated on all models since 2007. More than 2 million vehicles equipped with EfficientDynamics have been sold, demonstrating BMW Group's success with vehicles that offer greater efficiency without compromising on performance.
- In the medium-term, the BMW X6 and 7 ActiveHybrid models were launched last year and integrate the latest electric and petrol engine technologies to further reduce fuel consumption and emissions
BMW ActiveHybrid X6
Looking in greater detail at the BMW ActiveHybrid X6, the model is the most powerful hybrid vehicle in the world and offers a driving experience quite unique both in the BMW X model and overall hybrid segments. Through its combination of a V8 gasoline engine and electric drive, the BMW ActiveHybrid X6 offers a significant increase in dynamic performance together with a reduction of fuel consumption and emissions by approximately 20 per cent.
BMW ActiveHybrid X6 technology offers the driver three options: to drive under electric power alone – up to 60km/h, to use the power of the combustion engine or to benefit from the combination of both drive modes. In its driving behaviour and motoring comfort, the BMW ActiveHybrid X6 offers all the standards provided by BMW's latest X models, without the slightest difference between the electrical and the combustion drive model.
BMW ActiveHybrid 7
BMW ActiveHybrid technology featured in the 7 Series luxury saloon is a mild hybrid offering significantly more power, and at the same time, more than 15% lower fuel consumption and emissions than the standard BMW 750Li without hybrid technology. The model represents the latest in state-of-the-art hybrid technology.
BMW's EfficientDynamics strategy has helped the Group reduce fleet emissions more than any other car manufacturer. This benchmark is even more impressive as BMW has not compromised on performance to achieve this. For example, the latest BMW 7 Series model is the most fuel-efficient vehicle in its class and yet more powerful than its predecessor, proving that sustainability and driving performance can go hand-in-hand.
MINI E
The MINI E is part of a pilot project designed to demonstrate a whole new dimension in individual mobility which is entirely emission-free, driver friendly and ideal for every day, and just as much fun to drive as a MINI with a combustion engine. BMW is the first premium manufacturer to deploy a fleet of 650 fully electric-powered MINIs for private use in daily traffic in the USA, Germany and the UK over a one year period. Within the framework of new sub-brand i, the BMW Group is conducting field tests on an internationally unparalleled scale for the use of purely electrically driven vehicles in everyday road traffic. In addition to the ongoing field tests in the USA and Europe, the test fleet will provide further valuable insights into the demands on future electrically-powered production vehicles starting in 2011.
BMW ActiveE
The BMW ActiveE is based on the BMW 1 Series Coupé and will roll off the production line at the Leipzig plant from as early as 2011. This vehicle represents the BMW Group's second step, after the MINI E, towards putting an emission-free electric vehicle into series production. The knowledge gained with the MINI E and BMW ActiveE will be channelled directly into the series development of the BMW i3, previously known as the Megacity Vehicle, which will make its global debut at this year's Frankfurt Motor Show in September, be ready for series production in the year 2013. These developments mean that from 2011, BMW's Leipzig plant will be a centre of expertise for the production of electric cars within the BMW Group's worldwide network.
New Sub Brand BMW i – Sustainable Vehicles and Mobility Solutions
In February 2011, the BMW Group launched its new sub-brand focused solely on developing sustainable mobility solutions – BMW i. Representing a new movement in premium mobility, the introduction of this new sub-brand is affirmation of the Group's leadership as the most innovative and sustainable premium automotive company. The products and services have been conceived around a revolutionary approach: purpose designed and purpose built for sustainable, premium mobility.
BMW i3 and BMW i8
From 2013, the BMW i3 and BMW i8 from the new i sub-brand will be launched. The BMW i3 will be the BMW Group's first all-electric car designed for use in major cities while the BMW i8 is an extremely fuel efficient plug-in, high performance sports car with the fuel consumption and emissions of a small vehicle. Neither of these cars will incorporate steel; instead they will be produced with a passenger cell made from carbon – a first in the automotive industry.
The new BMW i brand is the BMW Group's response to changing customer needs, including increasing demand for alternative drive trains such as electric drive systems and hybrids. BMW i offers visionary cars and services, inspiring design, and an entirely new concept of premium mobility – all with a focus on sustainability.
Sustainable Production
The BMW Group has also anchored sustainability in its production process through a "Clean Production" philosophy which works to reduce waste. As part of this philosophy, their target is to reduce resource consumption of energy, water, sewage and solvent emission levels per vehicle by 30% by 2012 compared to 2006. The environmental efficiency figure for 2010 improved by 6% during the period under report and the improvement since 2006 is 26%, surpassing the original target of 20% for 2010.
The German Steyr plant which produces around 60% of all BMW engines recycles all the water used in the production process, saving around 30 million litres of water each year -the equivalent of 12 Olympic size swimming pools. In Spartanburg, where the BMW X3, X5 and X6 models are produced, the production plant obtains half its energy from methane gas generated from a nearby landfill.
The success of the BMW Group has always been built on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company has 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. As a result of its efforts, the BMW Group has been ranked industry leader in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes for the last six years, making it the world's most sustainable automobile manufacturer.
About the BMW Group
With its three brands – BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce – the BMW Group is one of the world's most successful premium manufacturers of cars and motorcycles. It operates internationally with 24 production sites in 13 countries and a global sales network with representation in more than 140 countries.
During the financial year 2010, the BMW Group sold 1.46 million cars and more than 110,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax for 2010 was euro 4.8 billion on revenues amounting to euro 60.5 billion. At 31 December 2010, the BMW Group had a workforce of approximately 95,500 employees.