E-mobility: Next generation of automobiles

Alexander Baraka

During the past decade, we have witnessed a huge leap in automotive technology towards the next era of digitisation as well as sustainability – from the development of autonomous vehicles to electric drive systems. The path towards connectivity and electrification has become the main focus and key driver for manufacturers who are striving to meet ever-changing consumer needs. Soon, vehicles will be purely electric, sustainable in every way, more intelligent than ever, and capable of conversing naturally with the driver to deliver the driving pleasure of the future.

At BMW Group, we have adopted the principle of preparing for future change through innovation and customer centricity. Every piece of technology integrated into every BMW vehicle is the culmination of the company’s dedication to creating innovations that deliver satisfaction and happiness to customers every time they step into their car. This is especially apparent in our approach to electric mobility. One of the forward-looking principles for the future of mobility is ACES – Autonomous, Connected, Electrified, and Services/Shared.

Today, BMW Group offers a wide range of vehicles across different platforms worldwide. Furthermore, their attractiveness is attributable to an expressive design and advanced technology in the areas of operation and digitalisation, which are oriented to the lifestyles of contemporary target groups.

At the global level, we can expect to see a massive electromobility ramp-up from a number of manufacturers. As of June 2021, the BMW Group was offering five fully-electric models in the global market. This includes the BMW i3, MINI Cooper SE, BMW iX3 as well as the two main innovation flagships, the BMW iX and BMW i4. We believe that by 2030, at least 50 per cent of our global sales will come from fully-electric vehicles. In response to this expectation, advances in battery cell production and e-drive technologies will also be accelerated to meet the EV market expansion.

With approximately Baht 4 billion representing the amount of annual purchasing in Thailand, the BMW Global Purchasing Office has been established in Thailand.

Making electrified mobility a reality has also been a cornerstone of the BMW Group’s strategy. In Thailand, we recognise the diversity of consumer preferences when it comes to drivetrains, and this is why we are the first car company to offer ‘Power of Choice’, with a range of ICE, PHEV and BEV products. In addition, we became the first company in the premium automotive segment in Thailand to offer plug-in hybrids (PHEV), such as the BMW i8 and battery-electric vehicles (BEV), such as the BMW i3, since 2014.

On the production side, the BMW Group Manufacturing Thailand plant was founded on BMW Group’s strong belief in the growth potential of Asian markets, and Thailand in particular with its unique location, strong manufacturing base, and ready supply of skilled automotive labour, making it an automotive hub for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Ongoing investment is being put into the expansion of the Rayong plant in terms of assembling processes, with the aim of meeting growing customer demand. In addition, with approximately Baht 4 billion representing the amount of annual purchasing in Thailand, the BMW Global Purchasing Office has been established in Thailand. This action is aimed at sourcing various components from local suppliers in Thailand and the broader ASEAN region, in order to supply the entire BMW production network of 31 production and assembly facilities, located in 15 countries worldwide.

Currently, BMW Group Manufacturing Thailand produces 17 BMW cars and BMW Motorrad models, including the five BMW plug-in hybrid models – BMW 330e, BMW 530e, BMW X3 xDrive30e, BMW X5 xDrive45e and BMW 745Le xDrive. Starting in 2021, the MINI Cooper SE, BMW iX3 and BMW iX have also become available to Thai customers as imported BEV models.

We have also taken part in accelerating the adoption of electric mobility in Thailand with the launch of ChargeNow, which is the world’s largest network of public charging stations for electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids of any make and model nationwide. We currently offer 111 ChargeNow public charging outlets at 67 locations and we will continue to roll out more charging points for our customers.

Together with electrification, sustainability will also play an especially important role in the next generation of mobility. It is also at the core of BMW Group’s corporate strategy and product development. We have combined a holistic understanding of sustainability with the development of electric mobility throughout the entire value chain and the complete production cycle – from the procurement of raw materials, production and service life of the vehicle right up to recycling.

For the future, BMW Group is developing, among other things, a sustainably reusable material cycle for battery cells. The key materials of cobalt and lithium originate exclusively from suppliers who comply with stringent standards with regard to ecological and social sustainability. The electric motor of the latest BMW eDrive generation is produced without rare earth raw materials. Furthermore, electricity from renewable sources is used exclusively for the production of all the components of BMW eDrive technology in the latest generation. As a result, around 10 million tons of CO2 emissions will be avoided over the next 10 years.

Electromobility and sustainability will be the facets that we remain focused on, both globally and locally. As pillars of the BMW Group strategy, our goal is to take part in building a solid foundation for an e-mobility future in Thailand. Most importantly, customer centricity will continue to be a philosophy to which BMW adheres and which allows us to develop new innovations and technologies, both electric and combustion, that fit perfectly with consumers’ needs.

Alexander Baraka, President of BMW Group Thailand

Contact details: BMW Group Thailand, Call centre: 1397 www.bmw.co.th, www.mini.co.th, www.bmw-motorrad.co.th