Beijing (ZXZC)- In 2023, BMW Group delivered 2,554,183 vehicles globally, marking a 6.4% increase compared to the previous year. Notably, its sales in the Chinese market saw a 4.2% year-on-year rise, with 824,932 BMW- and MINI-branded vehicles sold.

Photo credit: BMW

Throughout 2023, BMW and MINI brands' pure electric vehicles played a pivotal role in driving business growth. BMW Group delivered over 375,000 pure electric vehicles worldwide during the year, with approximately 100,000 pure electric BMW vehicles delivered in the electric vehicle-oriented Chinese market.

The group significantly increased its R&D investment in 2023, focusing on three key areas: electrification and digitalization of vehicle models, advancements in autonomous driving technology, and the development of new vehicle models, including the BMW Neue Klasse models.

Photo credit: BMW

The BMW Neue Klasse models represent a significant leap forward for the brand and its product lineup. According to plans, these models will be launched globally by 2025, with at least six models entering production within the following 24 months. Production of the Neue Klasse models is slated to commence domestically in Shenyang, China, by 2026. 

These models will feature three main characteristics: a newly developed electronic and electrical architecture with innovative user interfaces and human-machine interaction concepts, high-performance and highly efficient electric drive and battery systems, and a new level of sustainability throughout the product lifecycle.

BMW Group's sustained high investment in R&D is closely tied to its Neue Klasse initiative, particularly in the Chinese market. With nearly 20 years of R&D presence in China, the company has established the largest and most comprehensive R&D network outside Germany in the country. Over the past three years, BMW's R&D team in China has tripled in size, with over 3,000 professionals focusing on software development, autonomous driving, UI/UX design, and other fields. The R&D and design teams in China are deeply involved in key aspects of the BMW next-generation models, with innovative contributions from the Chinese market expected to be highlighted in these models.