BMW: "Internal combustion engine vehicles will never disappear!"
On October 23, the South Korean media outlet "Herald Economic" published an article stating that BMW holds a firm stance on the future of internal combustion engine vehicles. Despite the EU's announcement to completely ban the sale of internal combustion engine vehicles from 2035, except for some hybrid vehicles. BMW emphasized: "Internal combustion engine vehicles are not just getting a ten-year extension; it will remain a core technology."
Jochen Göllner, a member of the board of directors of BMW Group responsible for customers, brand, and sales, stated in a roundtable interview at the recent Munich Motor Show: "Internal combustion engines will never disappear, never!" At the same exhibition, BMW also launched the iX3 based on its next-generation electric vehicle platform Neue Klasse.
Göllner's remarks were interpreted as somewhat exaggerated. The BMW PR team responded by saying, "The intention behind these remarks was a humorous expression," and "it emphasized the significant differences in the pace of electrification adoption across different countries and regions."
In fact, electric vehicles already account for 20% of new car sales in Europe, while China dominates the electric vehicle sales in Asia. The United States is also expanding the adoption of electric vehicles, although at a slightly slower pace. In contrast, India and parts of Africa are still lagging in the transition to electrification.
Given the continued differences in global market demand, BMW plans to maintain its multi-powertrain strategy. The current CLAR platform will continue to support internal combustion engine and hybrid models through improvements, and will be used alongside the Neue Klasse electric vehicle platform.
According to industry insiders, BMW will operate three platforms in the long term: the Neue Klasse platform dedicated to electric vehicles, a multi-energy platform capable of supporting hybrid and hydrogen-powered vehicles, and a platform dedicated to entry-level internal combustion engine vehicles.
The industry generally believes that the "complete demise" of internal combustion engines will not come soon. Analysts predict that due to the integration of alternative technologies such as hybrid systems and synthetic fuels, as well as continued consumer demand, internal combustion engines and electric vehicles will coexist in the global market for some time.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1846755393018956/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author.