BMW to build new electric vehicle for China

Few details have been released so far, but the new BMW electric vehicle is said to be based on the 5-Series platform, and BMW will showcase a concept version at a motor show in China sometime this year.

The new BMW electric vehicle will be jointly developed with BMW's partner in China, Brilliance China Automotive Holdings Ltd. BMW and Brilliance currently have a 50-50 joint venture deal to make 3-Series and 5-Series cars in Shenyang for the Chinese domestic market.

BMW has also said that it will import for sale new models for the Chinese market this year, most notably the X3 crossover and new 6-Series sports car, as well as the Mini Countryman. The Bavarian carmaker will be looking to leverage on booming sales in China, where it sold 169,000 vehicles in 2010, a massive 87 per cent increase over the sales figures for 2009.