On March 21, the new generation X concept car of BMW (expected to be the new generation BMW iX3) was officially released. The car showcases the new design style of BMW in the future. The mass-produced version is expected to be produced in the Debrecen factory in Hungary in the second half of 2025. According to the plan, the new generation models of BMW will be launched in the global market in 2025, and at least 6 models will be put into production within the next 24 months. The first new generation model of BMW will be made in China at BMW Shenyang factory in 2026.
According to the official pictures, the new generation X concept car of BMW retains the design style of the new generation Vision concept car of BMW. The long strip-shaped lamp group shape is expected to become a new logo of BMW pure electric vehicles. The classic “double-kidney” grille shape is also retained and decorated with light strips to increase the visual impact. It is more recognizable with LED light sources. It is worth mentioning that the car also has a welcome lighting language function to enhance the sense of ceremony.
From the side of the body, the overall outline of the new generation X concept car of BMW is straight, and the angular design of the front and rear wheel arches and the lower part of the door panel shows a three-dimensional sense. The long wheelbase and short front overhang also ensure the interior space to a certain extent. The Hofmeister corner design is retained in the form of “reflective printing”, and the details can also see that the car uses electronic mirrors and hidden door handles. At the rear, the taillight shape of the new generation X concept car of BMW echoes the headlights, and the internal structure is the classic L-shaped design of BMW. The lamp group can also control the different light intensities separately to create a depth-of-field effect. In addition, including the taillights, spoiler, and the rear bumper of the new car are designed in a similar “concave” shape, and the new car is matched with the coral silver paint, making it look more lightweight.
In terms of the interior, the design of the new generation X concept car of BMW is full of technological sense. The multi-functional steering wheel adopts a new four-spoke shape and is equipped with a polygon-shaped floating central control screen. In addition, the car will also be equipped with BMW’s latest panoramic field of vision bridge + 3D head-up display system, coupled with an intelligent voice control system, it can present an emotional human-vehicle interaction experience. In addition, it can be seen that the new generation X concept car of BMW adopts a borderless door design, and the headrest of the seat has a good wrapping feeling.
In terms of power, BMW has not announced the specific parameters of the new generation X concept car, only saying that the car will be equipped with BMW’s sixth-generation eDrive electric drive technology. In addition to the improved electric drive system, the car will also be equipped with cylindrical batteries and an 800-volt high-voltage electrical system, which can charge 300 kilometers within 10 minutes.
Although BMW does not lack pure electric products and achieves the same price as oil and electricity, BMW electric vehicles still cannot replace fuel vehicles in the hearts of consumers. The arrival of the new generation models can be regarded as the third stage of BMW’s electrification, and it will become the backbone of BMW’s full-speed advance in electrification.
Based on the product planning, the BMW Group will launch a number of new cars in the global market in 2024. Among them, the new BMW 5 Series/i5 wagon family will be officially launched in overseas markets in May this year; the new BMW M5 sedan and wagon versions will be launched in 2024, equipped with plug-in hybrid power; the new BMW X3 will also be released later this year, offering pure fuel and plug-in hybrid versions. In terms of the MINI brand, in addition to the MINI Aceman which will be launched at the Beijing Auto Show, the MINI convertible model will also be launched in the second half of 2024. In 2025, the new generation BMW models will be launched in the global market, and at least 6 models will be put into production within the next 24 months. The first new generation model will be domestically produced at BMW Shenyang factory in 2026. BMW Group expects that pure electric vehicles will account for more than 50% of the group’s global annual deliveries before 2030, and is expected to achieve the cumulative delivery of more than 10 million pure electric vehicles in the global market.
On March 15, the BMW Group released its 2023 financial report. During the reporting period, the BMW Group’s revenue was 155.498 billion euros (approximately RMB 1.21 trillion), a year-on-year increase of 9%; the group’s EBIT rose to 18.482 billion euros (approximately RMB 144.71 billion), a year-on-year increase of 32%, of which the automotive segment’s EBIT was 12.981 billion euros (approximately RMB 101.65 billion), a year-on-year increase of 22%.
The growth of the group’s revenue and profits is related to the continuous increase in the delivery volume of BMW in the global market. In 2023, the BMW Group delivered a total of 2.554 million new cars globally, a year-on-year increase of 6.4%. Among them, 824,932 BMW and MINI cars were sold in the Chinese market, a year-on-year increase of 4.2%. Nowadays, China is not only the largest single market for BMW in the world, but also a strong driver of its sales of electric vehicles.
BMW has 6 pure electric models on sale in China, among which the BMW i3 and iX3 are the two highest-selling pure electric products. Data shows that in 2023, BMW pure electric vehicles delivered 99,972 vehicles in China, firmly in the first echelon of new energy vehicle sales of overseas brands in China. This obviously provides confidence for the growth of BMW’s new electric vehicle sales. At the beginning of this year, the BMW i5 was officially launched in China, with a price range of 439,900-639,900 yuan. The arrival of the BMW i5 has allowed BMW to further enter the smart electric age. At least the 3, 5, and 7 series all have pure electric models, and both oil and electricity pursue driving pleasure. We can also see BMW’s follow-up in corresponding supporting services such as super charging stations.
BMW Group Chairman Oliver Zipse said: “In 2023, the BMW Group unswervingly implemented the established strategic goals, achieved strong growth, significantly increased the sales proportion of pure electric vehicles, and simultaneously improved the operating profit margin. Although everyone is talking about ‘transformation’, for us, this is more of a continuous process of moving forward. Regardless of the type of drive, the BMW Group is actively providing customers with the latest innovative technologies, and the goal is to continue to meet strong user demand with competitive products.”
