On April 16, the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety, and Consumer Protection (BMUV) Minister, Svenja Schulze, led a delegation to visit the BMW Group's Research and Development Center in Beijing, China. They received a warm welcome from the management team of BMW Group China.
During Chancellor Scholz's visit to China, BMW Group Chairman Oliver Zipse expressed, "Green development is not a solitary path but requires collective efforts. Germany and China share this common belief, and green development serves as a new opportunity for further cooperation between the two countries. BMW is willing to actively play a bridging role in promoting cooperation between Germany and China in the fields of sustainable development and circular economy."
Both sides engaged in in-depth discussions and exchanges on topics such as sustainable development and the circular economy. As a leader in sustainable development in the automotive industry, BMW Group, leveraging its strong local research and development and innovative capabilities, is committed to driving the low-carbon and green transformation of the entire value chain of the automotive industry in China.
The delegation listened to BMW's sharing of its experience in circular economy practices in China. BMW emphasized the concept of a complete lifecycle for cars, starting from vehicle design and considering dismantling, material, and component recycling. A highlight of the discussion was BMW's innovative practices in the recycling of automotive batteries, particularly focusing on BMW's pioneering initiative in achieving closed-loop recycling of battery raw materials in China. Additionally, BMW introduced the specific plans for sustainability of the sixth-generation electric drive system featured in the BMW New Class (The Neue Klasse), which is set to begin production in Shenyang in 2026.
With deep expertise gained from diverse global markets, the BMW team actively collaborates with various stakeholders in China to develop sustainable and circular economy practices tailored to the specific conditions of the country. Emphasizing cooperation with local partners and respecting the unique environmental and market conditions, BMW aims to implement strategies that are adaptive and locally relevant.
BMW has been conducting local research and development in China for 20 years, currently employing over 3,000 experts in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenyang, and Nanjing. By the end of 2024, BMW's subsidiary, BMW Trust-Miles Technology Co., Ltd. (BATW), based in Nanjing, will expand to 600 developers. BMW Group has established the largest R&D network outside Germany in China, equipped to provide solutions for smart connected vehicles. Embracing an open innovation approach and efficient collaboration with Chinese partners, BMW is implementing its corporate strategy of "Home in China" through tangible actions.
