BMW denies claims it will abandon internal combustion engines

[Mani59]

     Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

Further confirmation below that BMW will not abandon internal combustion engines.

BMW has denied speculation that it will abandon internal combustion engines after its research and development boss, Frank Weber, labelled the reports as "complete nonsense".



Sources close to the German firm had claimed that it would not continue with its involvement in combustion engines, particularly as rival firms begin to increase investment in electric drivetrains.

“Firstly, it’s not true. And secondly, suggesting there’s nothing more to be done is not true either,” said Weber.

The news comes ahead of the launch of the brand's next-generation 'Neue Klasse' electric cars, starting with the concept car and now known to be extending to the next-generation iX3 and, eventually, the "crazy", quad-motor M3.

Weber pointed to the recently confirmed Euro 7 emission regulations, set to be imposed from 1 July 2025, as just one example of why BMW remains heavily committed to ICE development. He said: “There’s a lot to do. And we don’t only do this in Europe, but also in the US and China as well.”

The firm has also set an objective for zero-emission cars to account for 15% of its sales in 2024.

BMW CEO Oliver Zipse spoke of his aversion to the European Union's banning of the combustion engine, claiming that it would send European car makers into a price war with Chinese car makers, and sees the competition as an "imminent risk". Zipse has also supported e-fuels as an "important" alternative to fossil fuels.

At the beginning of 2023, the firm culled its range of diesel engines on cars with the '20d' nomenclature, as well as some straight six diesels such as the M440d and 530d xDrive, and every X2. It cited a drop in demand as the justification.

Source: https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/t...-to-combustion

[Ugly Kar]

They better not. Audi is certainly realizing not everyone wants an EV.
https://www.carscoops.com/2023/12/au...n-near-future/

[Westside Guy]

Look how successful Toyota has been staying with their hybrids and not going full speed into an EV lineup.

IMHO, EV’s have a long way to go before the majority of car buyers will make this change.

Internal combustion engines will be here for a while!

[G35POPPEDMYCHERRY]

I think anything about EV, abandoning ICE engines, is just sensationalism pipe dreams that have no logical plan. marketing and campaign schemes at its finest. I am all for both, but to have only one is not feasible due to infrastructure in my lifetime. Thus again, marketing and campaign schemes.

[Car-Addicted]

I'd give the EU a big FU and produce the first BMW twin engine V8 Supercar.

[allinon72]

Big gubment threw global automakers a lifeline and sold them on a disposable car platform that had higher margins, less warranty claims and substantially more long term profitability based on the "phone" model of getting a new one every few years. Most of them jumped at the chance, in lockstep, with zero customer data, very little infrastructure, and very little applicable technology to support such a move. And here we are, with most of them eating crow because the demand does not even come close to supporting EVs on a mass scale. BMW and anyone else that was foolish enough to buy into EVs deserves everything coming to them and if their boards had any shred of credibility, we should be seeing a wave of CEO removals because of it.

[Reemie87]

Let the congregation say Amen. Do not want no electric motor unless it is to help my turbo lag.

[Klaytoven]

Thank god. I cant afford an m car YET. I sure don’t want an electric bmw that isnt manual when the time does come😅

[GolfCoyote]

Forcing EV's on everyone is backfiring big time. I hope more manufacturers (including BMW) do what Toyota is doing and invest in Hybrids.

[carseatsm5]

They don’t have much of a choice unless California and others walk back the 2035 ban.

[GolfCoyote]

Originally Posted by carseatsm5

They don’t have much of a choice unless California and others walk back the 2035 ban.

I bet that happens. Or at the very least they "extend" the deadline.

[robopp]

X3/4M S58 representing!

[JK479]

If a new administration comes to power in the US- they can reverse this 2035 deadline. I’m all for a choice- but a ban on a technology that could run on synthetic fuel or seaweed (read that today Mazda is pioneering this fuel that works with their engines) boggles my mind.

Let’s not even get started with the fringe theory that there are propulsion systems on the shelf that would make ice and ev seem rudimentary.

[Ibiza]

Originally Posted by carseatsm5

They don’t have much of a choice unless California and others walk back the 2035 ban.

That’s why Cali can have all the Tesla’s manufactured and have a brown out when everyone plugs in to charge. Then there will be alternate charging days based on house number, even number on even days and odd number on odd days.

[PLF69]

Originally Posted by Ibiza

That’s why Cali can have all the Tesla’s manufactured and have a brown out when everyone plugs in to charge. Then there will be alternate charging days based on house number, even number on even days and odd number on odd days.

This cannot be declared a better technology than just continuing to perfect ICE/Hybrid drivetrain.. I mean it's basically a big back pedal in the concept of a personal transportaion vehicle 🙄

[Ibiza]

Originally Posted by PLF69

This cannot be declared a better technology than just continuing to perfect ICE/Hybrid drivetrain.. I mean it's basically a big back pedal in the concept of a personal transformation vehicle 🙄

Short term memory as electricity needs to be created such as from coal or nuclear power which creates environmental waste. I’m sure the Cali Tesla owners will love new nuclear reactors operating in their backyards for their plug in EV’s in 2035.

Hydrogen powered is interesting as BMW has been developing this technology for decades.

[TractionControlDelete]

Originally Posted by GolfCoyote

Forcing EV's on everyone is backfiring big time. I hope more manufacturers (including BMW) do what Toyota is doing and invest in Hybrids.

Not only that though… while the world is losing their minds over EVs, Toyota casually rolled out the the 86, the GR Supra, and the GR Yaris in relatively quick succession. And I’ve read that they’re considering the MR2 as well. It’s really quite impressive when you consider that they did that while making the new Prius car of the year again. A lot of other manufacturers should take notes.

[GolfCoyote]

Originally Posted by TractionControlDelete

Not only that though… while the world is losing their minds over EVs, Toyota casually rolled out the the 86, the GR Supra, and the GR Yaris in relatively quick succession. And I’ve read that they’re considering the MR2 as well. It’s really quite impressive when you consider that they did that while making the new Prius car of the year again. A lot of other manufacturers should take notes.

They are smart, collaborating with other manufacturers. The only 100% Toyota car of that batch is the GR Yaris/Carola. I heard the MR2 might have an Isuzu engine in it? If they make that I but they kill the 86.

[F32Fleet]

BMW hedging now that ICE bans have been pushed out. However don't be fooled. Will BMW develop a new engine? Will BMW phase out their V8's? That's when we'll know what's really going on.

From past reports out of BMW the B-seriee engines are the last that BMW will build.

IMO with emissions and CAFE requirements it's only a matter of time the V8s give way to I6 and I6 give way to the he I4. All will be hybrid power trains and we may end up with only I4 or God forbid I3.

[mrdudley]

Originally Posted by carseatsm5

They don’t have much of a choice unless California and others walk back the 2035 ban.

The current rule is auto manufacturers can still sell up to 20% plug-in hybrids in 2035. My guess is that percentage will relax.

[D52M550]

Originally Posted by carseatsm5

They don’t have much of a choice unless California and others walk back the 2035 ban.

This ain’t happening. Mark my words.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by carseatsm5

They don’t have much of a choice unless California and others walk back the 2035 ban.

They will. You think California is just going to have no cars? Give me a break. That’s just politicians voting for things that sound cool, while they’ll never be the ones having to actually back it up.