|
According to Motor1, a senior BMW official has emphasized the importance of internal combustion engines to the German brand’s future.
“Internal combustion engines are our foundation and will continue to be a source of funding for BMW’s future business,” said Klaus von Moltke, head of BMW’s Steyr plant in Austria, in an interview with Automobilwoche. Motor1 reports that this plant is responsible for producing 1.2 million engines for BMW in 2024.
Klaus von Moltke confirmed that the development of conventional powertrains will continue. To secure the future of internal combustion engines, BMW engineers will produce 3 to 8-cylinder engines that comply with Euro 7 emissions regulations.
BMW is testing a range of fuels compatible with internal combustion engines, including HVO100 for diesel engines. According to Motor1, this fuel is interpreted as hydrotreated vegetable oil, with the suffix 100 emphasizing its purity and lack of blending.
BMW is reportedly filling up their diesel cars produced in Germany with HVO100 before delivering them to dealerships. The brand claims that using HVO100 reduces CO2 emissions by up to 90% compared to regular diesel. In addition to environmental benefits, HVO100 is said to improve cold-start performance and reduce microbial contamination due to its purity.
|
The Steyr plant is also responsible for producing electric motors for the upcoming Neue Klasse electric models. Pre-production of the sixth-generation electric motors began about a year ago on prototypes before being equipped on the new iX3, which will debut in September at the IAA Mobility show in Munich. Series production of the BMW iX3 will commence later this year at the Debrecen plant in Hungary.
Despite BMW’s long-term commitment to internal combustion engines, the brand aims for a balanced sales split between electric and combustion-powered cars by the end of this decade. The goal of having electric vehicles account for 50% of total sales is considered ambitious for BMW, as their EV sales last year accounted for only about 17.4% of the group’s total sales, including MINI and Rolls-Royce.
In the first quarter of this year, pure electric cars accounted for nearly 19% of BMW’s total sales. Motor1 suggests that BMW seems confident in its target to equalize EV and internal combustion engine sales by 2030.
Recommended Reads for Your Journey
Our Automotive section offers a diverse range of book recommendations to our readers. Whether you’re on a long drive or taking a quick break, these books are sure to keep you entertained and engaged.
VinFast Speeds Ahead: Delivering an Impressive 11,382 Electric Vehicles in June
On July 11, 2025, VinFast announced its business results in the Vietnamese market for June 2025.
“BMW Races Ahead with Flax Fiber: A Revolutionary Substitute for Carbon”
BMW’s stunning victory at the 2025 Nurburgring 24 Hours race marked a pivotal moment not only for the German automotive giant, ending a five-year drought, but also for the advancement of sustainable materials in racing.
The Ultimate Power Play: Lamborghini’s Bet on E-Fuel in the Electric Age
In a world where the automotive industry is rapidly embracing electrification, Lamborghini takes a bold step towards a different path: electronic fuel, or e-fuel.
Mercedes-Benz Makes a U-Turn: Extending the Lifespan of Internal Combustion Engines
A mere few days after Audi announced its extended production of gasoline-powered vehicles, longtime rival Mercedes-Benz followed suit.
What are Luxury Car Brands Doing in Vietnam?
Amidst challenging sales figures, Mercedes-Benz unveiled an iconic product, while Porsche and Volvo took a definitive leap towards electrification, a bold move in a shifting automotive landscape.
