REPORT: BMW will create new electric vehicle sub-brand
BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer has confirmed to Reuters that its future electric cars will be badged as BMWs. This contradicts some earlier rumors that the automaker would revive another brand such as Triumph or Isetta for its electric vehicles.
The company will stick with its existing BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce marques, but Reithofer revealed that the board has voted to create a sub-brand for electric vehicles. This new sub-brand will be similar to BMW's seperate marketing of the "M" line of vehicle, will be targeted at urban drivers and include a two wheeler. The first of these new vehicles will likely start appearing sometime around 2012-13.
Gallery: Quick Drive: MINI E
Photos Copyright ©2008 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: Reuters]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Kyle 1:46PM (8/05/2009)
So these things are doing well in their tests I take it? I've yet to see one in NYC
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216 1:46PM (8/05/2009)
EMW
hehehe
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Brad 1:48PM (8/05/2009)
the EMW E-Series, perhaps?
216 2:19PM (8/05/2009)
and it'll have an E6 engine
Farris 3:09PM (8/05/2009)
There actually was an EMW back in the 40s, IIRC.
BoxerFanatic 1:51PM (8/05/2009)
Well...
Will it be:
///E
///G (for the ubiquitous "green")
or ///S for "der Strom", german for electrical current.
Maybe they'll use green and yellow stripes, instead of red and blue on ///M
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Luis 2:00PM (8/05/2009)
I +1 you BF - I'm not always negative!
I like the green/yellow stripe idea to go with the red/blue.
Instead of a Bimmer would it be a Buzzer?
British_Rover 2:04PM (8/05/2009)
Wow a non-ranting and positive post.
Someone check hells temperature.
Mike 2:07PM (8/05/2009)
Isetta is old school...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isetta
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foo 2:08PM (8/05/2009)
i got to drive one of these and it's interesting to say the least...reminded me of driving an electric powered R/C car w/ the regenerative braking kicking in when you ease off the gas. and the torque this thing has GOBS of it.
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Sam 2:15PM (8/05/2009)
Triumph? I guessing they bought then sold Rover?
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Sam 2:16PM (8/05/2009)
Meh, should have read before pressing Add Comment.
Guess they bought the name when they bought and sold Rover?
That's better...
Web Hosting Reviews 2:56PM (8/05/2009)
BMW has established its name already and its not right that just a newly established car will just merged with them.
http://hostwisely.com
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Farris 3:10PM (8/05/2009)
Spamming: You need to stop.
Ray 3:21PM (8/05/2009)
The CEO will be dead before BMW comes out with a EV that is not a glorified Sec way.
All the pertinent parts for the Minni E came from AC Propulsion. Still they screwed it up.
We will mass produce a EV in the next ten years that will go a 1000 miles on a single charge. Maybe 20 years it depends on if the US military can secure enough oil. However we will keep making these announcements every month until then to make people think we are attempting to be green so they will think well of us and buy our pollution machines. We could do better but well... Thank you for your cash lemmings.
Global warming or pollution does not exist. Thank you. CEO of BMW.
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Art 5:22PM (8/05/2009)
in for an electric X5. takes 12 hours to charge and goes about 30 feet
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P.V. 7:21PM (8/05/2009)
I'm thinking -\/\/\/\-E for the new brand. (Anyone get it? If not, the symbol before the "E" is the resistor diagram symbol.)
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mudder 9:48PM (8/05/2009)
Cool. Now Mini will have some competition at the bottom of the JD Power Initial Quality ratings.
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Marc Brown 8:27PM (8/09/2009)
Good point mudder - you should always consult the jd power survey before you buy a car. I had an 02 Mini (the first year of production) and never had a single problem - only visited the dealer for my free scheduled maintenance. Wonder why mini still has the highest resale value of any car?? Guess people aren't checking that jd power survey.
hype 8:33PM (8/08/2009)
Stupid eco freaks thinking a big battery in their car is envionmentally friendly.
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