On June 24, the “Investing in China·Dialogue with Multinational Corporations in CCTV Financial CBD” event, hosted by CCTV, was held in Beijing. At the opening ceremony, CCTV Financial’s 2024 “Investing in China” annual awards, recommended by ministries and institutions such as the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the General Administration of Customs, and the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, and selected by an expert advisory group, were officially announced. BMW Group’s “New Generation Car Model Sixth Generation Power Battery Project” in Shenyang was named one of the top ten investment cases of the year, making it the only automobile manufacturer to receive this award.
At the event, Mr. Gao Xiang, President and CEO of BMW Group Greater China, stated: “China is the world’s largest new energy vehicle market. More importantly, China has a strong supply chain and a talented workforce, which are crucial for the automotive industry’s transition to intelligent and sustainable mobility. BMW believes that investing in China is investing in the future.”
The sixth generation power battery project, which won an award, is an important supporting project for BMW Group’s new “New Generation” models to be launched next year. The total investment is 10 billion RMB, with the goal of starting production in Shenyang in 2026. The new battery technology used in the sixth generation power battery project is perfectly matched with the new generation models based on a new architecture. It not only significantly improves energy density, range, and charging speed, but also reduces carbon footprint and resource consumption in battery manufacturing. In April of this year, BMW announced an additional investment of 20 billion RMB in the Shenyang production base for the large-scale upgrade and technological innovation of the Dadong factory, further laying the foundation for the localization of production for the “New Generation” models. The “New Generation” models represent BMW Group’s largest investment ever, signaling the start of a new era of intelligent mobility driven by innovation and responsibility.
Gao Xiang said, “The current automotive industry is undergoing changes, China’s car market is facing fierce competition. Only by putting responsibility first can we move forward steadily. Only by taking a long-term view can we go far. In the fluctuating market environment, we need to focus on both improving the fundamental operations and looking towards the long-term goals of the company. We must persist in doing the right things – continuously investing in key innovation areas, adhering to sustainable development, and creating win-win situations with our partners.” Mencius said, “Those who have consistent results have consistent hearts.” BMW Group’s firm commitment in China is not only reflected in the economic operations of the company, but also in the research and development guidelines and car manufacturing philosophy that focus on long-term effectiveness, as well as the corporate social responsibility investment and practices that consider long-term impact. To ensure product quality, BMW uses a global research and development system and a “purgatory-style” testing process to create vehicles with reliable quality for users. Taking the new BMW 5 Series as an example, before the official launch of the car, over 200 test cars underwent 240,000 kilometers of in-depth road testing covering vast regions from Yakeshi in the north to Turpan in the west. Battery quality and safety are also crucial. BMW conducts 994 software tests and 155 hardware tests on power batteries, far exceeding industry standards. In addition to road testing, with the help of an internationally leading high-voltage power battery verification laboratory, the new BMW 5 Series power battery undergoes a comprehensive mechanical verification test including fire, seawater immersion, dropping, needle puncture, vibration, and compression, fully validating the all-around safety design concept of the power battery. In the field of research and development, BMW always adheres to the “safety first” intelligent driving research standard. The intelligent driving assistance system provided to Chinese consumers is user-friendly and daring. BMW provides clear usage boundaries for drivers, ensuring that drivers are always in control. At the same time, the intelligent driving assistance system enhances driving safety and enjoyment. The new BMW 5 Series is equipped with a lane change function with visual confirmation, which is a concrete manifestation of this concept. Only after the driver’s line of sight is confirmed will the vehicle automatically overtake within a speed range of 60-180 kilometers per hour. This system has been updated for the Chinese market with more than 100 unique features, over 2,000 localization adjustments, and local development testing in over 400 cities, tailored to Chinese road conditions and user driving habits, in line with the preferences of Chinese users. In terms of corporate social responsibility practices, BMW follows the guiding principles of “harmony and progress,” “shared responsibility for business,” and “beautiful home.” Children who participated in the first “BMW Children’s Traffic Safety Training Camp” in 2005 may have already obtained their driver’s licenses today. The “BMW China Cultural Journey” project launched in 2007 has a history of 18 years, supporting and empowering nearly 1,000 inheritors of intangible cultural heritage in collaboration with partner Tsinghua University Academy of Fine Arts, making outstanding contributions to the protection and innovation of Chinese intangible cultural heritage. By 2024, the project will further expand to the protection and promotion of the Grand Canal culture, promoting cultural exchange and mutual learning. Through cooperation, prosperity and growth are created together. As a responsible foreign company, BMW will continue to uphold the “Home in China” strategy, actively promoting social progress and ecological harmony while creating economic benefits for customers, partners, and society as a whole.