- Sales of electric vehicles are growing at a rate of 55% per year.
- California and the EU have banned the sale of new combustion vehicles after 2035.
- However, analysts predict that by 2050, there will still be up to 1 billion combustion vehicles on the roads.
- This will worsen extreme weather conditions and contribute over $1 trillion in revenue to the oil industry.
- Major automakers will have more time and resources to transition to electric vehicles.
Main topic: BMW's progress in electric vehicle sales and investment in e-mobility.
Key points:
1. BMW's electric vehicle sales increased to 12.6% of total deliveries in the first half of 2023, up from 10% in 2022.
2. The company aims to achieve a 15% share of battery-electric sales by the end of 2023.
3. BMW is investing more than originally planned in the global ramp-up of e-mobility due to increasing demand for electric cars.
4. The automaker increased its research and development spending by nearly 19% in Q2 2023, reaching about $2 billion.
5. BMW has not set an end date for selling combustion engine vehicles, stating that there is no indication that the world is renouncing them.
6. This contrasts with other automakers like Mercedes-Benz, Ford, and GM, which have plans to phase out combustion-engine sales by 2040.
Mercedes-Benz has upgraded the EQB electric SUV for the 2024 model year with a refreshed design and updated features, including a modern grille and headlights, and it will be available at US dealerships in the first half of 2024.
Huge price reductions and increased availability are driving growth in the electric vehicle market, which saw record sales in 2023, as major manufacturers like Tesla, Ford, and General Motors lower their prices and pass on cost savings from raw materials to consumers.
Mercedes-Benz is set to open its first branded EV charging stations this fall, with three locations in Atlanta, Chengdu, China, and Mannheim, Germany, and plans to expand its global network to over 2,000 points and open over 2,000 Charging Hubs by 2030.
Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Kaellenius plans to launch an electric vehicle architecture with the CLA compact electric sedan that will offer 30-35% more driving range per kilowatt-hour of energy stored in the battery, and will also introduce a lithium-iron-phosphate battery in the CLA model lineup, aiming to compete with Tesla and Chinese EV brands in terms of range and efficiency.
Mercedes-Benz is set to unveil the CLA EV concept sedan at IAA Mobility, featuring a range of over 466 miles and serving as the forerunner for an upcoming line of electric-first vehicles.
Mercedes-Benz unveiled an electric vehicle with a longer range than any Tesla model on the market, as the company intensifies its efforts to challenge Elon Musk and expand its presence in the luxury electric car market.
BMW and Mercedes are intensifying their efforts in the electric vehicle market, unveiling new platforms and concept cars in response to competition from Chinese automakers and Tesla, although they may still lag behind in certain aspects.
Europe's automakers are showcasing their latest electric vehicles at the IAA Mobility car show in an attempt to compete with Tesla and counter the increasing competition from Chinese companies such as BYD and Xpeng.
Europe's carmakers are facing a tough battle to catch up with China in the development of affordable and consumer-friendly electric vehicles, with Chinese EV makers already a generation ahead, according to industry analysts and executives at Munich's IAA mobility show.
Chinese electric vehicle maker Xpeng plans to expand into more European markets, including Germany, Britain, and France in 2024, following its successful entry into the Netherlands and Norway.
Lucid is exploring the possibility of entering the Chinese electric car market, but has not yet set a timeline for its entry, according to a top executive at the company. Lucid recognizes China as the world's largest and fastest adopting EV market, but wants to ensure it enters on the right terms to avoid mistakes. The company is currently assessing the viability of entering the market and considering factors such as pricing and manufacturing strategy. Additionally, Lucid plans to expand its product range to include lower-priced vehicles, with a mid-sized car potentially being unveiled in 2026. However, entering the mass-market segment will take time and require a strong supply base and the right pricing.
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