BMW Group expects sales in China to grow around 10 percent this year while global sales are likely to climb 5 percent to 5.5 percent, BMW board member for sales and marketing Ian Robertson said at the Shanghai auto show on Wednesday.
Robertson also said he expected pricing to remain stable in China this year as the carmaker prepares to produce a sixth model locally. BMW and Chinese joint-venture partner BMW Brilliance Automotive Ltd are currently kicking off the production of the 5 Series long wheelbase, along with the new 1 Series Sedan. The joint venture is also producing an X1 long wheelbase for the Chinese market.
Robertson further said he expected Chinese authorities to tone down plans for introducing a quota for electric cars starting in 2018. Currently, the stipulation says that automakers have to meet a 7 percent sales target in 2020 and 15 percent in 2025, for electric cars and plug-in hybrids.
“Discussions are ongoing with the Chinese government. We firmly believe this market will have a very strong footing within electric vehicles, whether it is as early as 2018, whether it applies to all manufacturers in the same way, is open to discussion,” Robertson said.
[Source: Reuters]
