Latest news with #BMWi7
CNA
4 days ago
- Automotive
- CNA
One of its kind: Exclusive BMW i7 Singapore Icon pays tribute to the nation's 60th birthday
A one-of-a-kind BMW i7 electric luxury sedan has been unveiled in Singapore, created as a tribute to the country's 60th anniversary and BMW Asia's four decades of presence in the region. The bespoke model, named BMW i7 Singapore Icons, was revealed by BMW Asia on Jul 15. It is the only unit produced and will not be replicated, making it the rarest BMW i7 in the country. 'Planning for this masterpiece began 18 months ago and was a labour of love,' said Lars Nielsen, managing director, BMW Group Asia. 'It is a celebration of icons and was created to be one itself.' He continued: 'This exceptional vehicle celebrates a nation whose journey to excellence is built on decades of strong leadership, innovation and ambition, in the same way that BMW has advanced over the last 40 years in Singapore.' Every detail in the car's design was selected to represent milestones in Singapore's national journey and BMW Asia's 40th anniversary. This includes a custom Madeira Red paint from Rolls-Royce that gives the car a rich, dark cherry finish. It is the first and only car in Singapore to feature this colour, with no further models planned in the same hue. A specially designed insignia bearing the 'Singapore Icons' logo has been laser-etched into the Hofmeister kink − a signature element in BMW's design language − and the 21-inch, 20-spoke wheels are produced exclusively by BMW Individual. Inside, the sedan features Merino leather upholstery in Smoke White, contrasted by Alaska Grey embroidery and custom stitching of the Singapore Icons logo across all four headrests. The centrepiece of the interior is a dashboard inlay showcasing seven Singaporean landmarks – Singapore Changi Control Tower, Marina Bay Sands, the Merlion, Gardens by the Bay Supertree Grove, Anderson Bridge, the ArtScience Museum, and the Singapore Flyer − laser-cut into a single 25.7cm-wide piece of metal, and integrated seamlessly into fine oak-grey wood. The BMW i7 Singapore Icons has been purchased by Choo Wai Luen, whose family business, Kwong Cheong Thye Pte Ltd, marks its 133rd anniversary this year. Choo acquired the vehicle through Eurokars Group.
India.com
6 days ago
- Automotive
- India.com
MG M9 Electric Review: Premium EV MPV with Jet-Like Rear Seats — Key Highlights & Drawbacks
Step into the future of premium electric mobility with our detailed review of the MG M9 Electric — the most luxurious and technologically advanced EV offering from MG yet. Priced at approximately ₹1 crore, the MG M9 sets new benchmarks in backseat indulgence and feature-rich sophistication. In this comprehensive evaluation, we delve into every aspect of the M9 Electric, starting with its bold exterior styling and sophisticated interior design. The highlight of the M9 lies in its lounge-like rear cabin, featuring jet-style seats with extensive recline, massage functions, and personal entertainment screens, delivering an unparalleled passenger experience. We also explore the suite of cutting-edge technology and connectivity on offer, from ambient lighting to seamless infotainment integration. Under the hood, the M9's electric powertrain offers robust performance complemented by a sizeable battery pack that promises an impressive driving range — crucial for long city commutes and intercity travel. Beyond the numbers, we thoroughly assess the driving dynamics, ensuring the M9 Electric balances comfort with confident road manners. To offer complete perspective, we position the MG M9 against established luxury EVs like the BMW i7 and Mercedes EQS, highlighting where it matches up and where it still needs to catch up. Whether you're a potential luxury EV buyer or simply an automotive enthusiast tracking the future of electric mobility in India, this in-depth review will help you understand if the MG M9 Electric is truly the ultimate chauffeur-driven EV on Indian roads.
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Polestar increases focus on Europe as tariffs stall U.S. sales, China traction remains elusive
Polestar's sales in Europe were up more than 80 percent in the first half of 2025, helped by the arrival of the Polestar 3 and Polestar 4 SUVs. CEO Michael Lohscheller expects to keep the momentum going as Polestar this year launches sales in Europe's fourth-largest market, France, and adds the Polestar 5, a large sporty sedan that is a rival to the Porsche Taycan and BMW i7. The emphasis on Europe comes as high tariffs on the automaker's China-built cars make them too expensive to sell in the U.S., where sales were down nearly a quarter in the first half. In China, meanwhile, Polestar has been struggling because it is seen as a Scandinavian brand. 'So, when I see all the growth in Europe, I clearly focus on Europe,' said Lohscheller, who took over as CEO last October. He discussed this and more with Automotive News Europe Managing Editor Douglas A. Bolduc in a video call on July 10. In May, Polestar paused its 2025 forecast becasue of a potential hit from U.S. tariffs. When will you start providing an outlook again? We have paused giving any financial guidance because of the situation around the world, particularly in the U.S. Currently, I can't say when we will bring this back because the uncertainty continues. Sign up for the Automotive News Europe Interview of the Month newsletter delivering exclusive interviews with top auto executives. When will Polestar be profitable? We said in early January that we target cash flow breakeven in 2027. That remains the time frame. We have made a lot of progress on certain fronts. If you look at our global sales figures, we were up 38 percent [to 18,049], in the second quarter and 51 percent [to 30,319] in the first half. We are adding products and retail locations. Those are indicators that we are doing the right things. However, there are more challenges to work through. We will publish financial results for the second quarter at the end of August. Polestar in June secured a $200 million equity investment from PSD Investment, a company controlled by Geely Holding founder Li Shufu. What is Polestar's current cash runway and how much more funding does the company need to remain solvent through 2026? We will disclose that at the end of August when we publish the financial results. Li Shufu holds 66 percent of Polestar through PSD investment and the Swedish subsidiary of Geely. Why has the company struggled to find outside investors? Our goal is to connect with the right partners in terms of funding and find solutions for that. The $200 million in incremental equity is a very strong and encouraging signal that shows we are working through the challenges. Roughly how much have the U.S. tariffs cost and how much have the European tariffs cost? It is in the single-, double- or triple-digit millions? We will not give you a number for that, but I want to put the U.S. business a little bit into perspective. In the first half, 76 percent of our total sales were in Europe while 8.5 percent were in the U.S. Last year, the U.S. accounted for 17 percent of our first-half global sales. There are two messages here: 1) Europe is growing very strongly, in particular the U.K., where we are up 217 percent in the first six months of the year; 2) Although 8.5 percent coming from the U.S. is still very important (nearly all the volume came from the Polestar 3, which is made at sister brand Volvo's U.S. plant). But it's obvious there is uncertainty with regard to the U.S. business. We are working through that, but that is why I also cannot give you an amount. We are starting production in South Korea as well, which is another important manufacturing footprint for us (and will reduce the 28.8 percent tariff Polestar faces on China-made cars shipped to the EU to 0 percent). In addition, we announced last week that the Polestar 7 will be produced at Volvo's factory in Slovakia. This embedded content is not available in your region. Yes or no: If you could get in a time machine and go back to 2019-20, would you still decide to make all your cars in China? It's a lot easier to answer that in hindsight, but looking forward, I am totally convinced that we are doing the right things: 1) Localization in the different regions is the way to go; 2) Europe is by far our most important and fastest growing market, so we have to produce there; and 3) The Polestar 7 is a premium compact SUV, which is a very big segment. This will give Polestar a broader appeal, meaning more volume. Now we have to execute and work through the different challenges. And some of them, in fairness, are outside of our control. When will Polestar know the true impact of the tariffs on the business? It's probably fair to say once we close this year and can compare it with 2024, we will have some indicators and we can give some more color around how we developed. I want to reiterate that the U.S. business is important, but it's not as important as the European business. I mean, 76 percent versus 8.5 percent is a big gap. That is why going into a big EV market such as France and other European markets is what matters for Polestar right now. That's what we are focused on, and we are doing really well. Polestar is up 78 percent in Europe to 15,868 after five months, according to figures from Dataforce, is that growth pace sustainable for the full year? The numbers you quote are correct. However, whether we continue that pace depends how the market develops, how the competition develops and many other factors. So, while I won't commit to a number, I will say we have strong momentum and we want to maintain it. Is there a metric you can cite to underline how essential it has been to be added to Volvo dealerships in Europe? This is super important and one of the main reasons why we are doing so well. While I don't have any specific metric, I can say that once a customer is interested in a car the second question you get is: Where can I service the car? We now have 1,700 Volvo service points where Polestar customers can go if something happens. That is crucial to both fleet and retail customers. The whole commercial set up together with Volvo is of highest importance. Also, nearly all Polestar retailers are also Volvo retailers. So, it's a win for everyone. What is Polestar doing to offset the 28.8 percent tariff on models made in China and sold in the EU? Does the customer have to pay more? How much? We are always laser focused on improving cost, but we have to accelerate those cost improvements. That's exactly what we are doing. At the same time, I believe that tariffs are not a long-term solution because at the end of the day we want to offer emission-free mobility to consumers, and they want to have a wider choice of vehicles that provide this. Therefore, adding duties is not helpful to anybody The only offset in the U.S. is to not sell China-made cars there, right? Localization is the key. We see that with the Polestar 3 which is made in the U.S. It is a phenomenal car in terms of size, technology and performance for the U.S. (in the first half it accounted for 91 percent of Polestar's U.S. sales, according to the Automotive News Data Center). What were Polestar's six-month sales in China and is the company engaging in the China price war? China is difficult for us because we are being perceived as a Scandinavian brand. In a way that is a compliment, because that is what we are. The Chinese market is hypercompetitive, so we need to balance volume and profitability with limited resources. So, when I see all the growth in Europe, I clearly focus on Europe. Roughly, what percentage of Polestar's sales are coming from China? It's very low. Let's talk about the cadence of Polestar's next launches. Next is the Polestar 5, which is a Porsche Taycan rival, set for later this year, right? Correct. Then comes the Polestar 6 roadster followed by the Polestar 7 in 2028, right? No, the Polestar 7 will come before the Polestar 6. The reason is very simple, I want to go more quickly into the compact SUV segment, where there is a lot of volume and a lot of money. I love the Polestar 6, but I had to reprioritize it in terms of timing. So, the focus will be on higher volume vehicle rather than halo cars, right? We consider the Polestar 5 a halo car. So, I don't need two halo cars at the same time. Therefore, we will focus on the Polestar 5. Will the Polestar 5 only be built in China or will you add production elsewhere? It will be China production only. Will there be a second-generation Polestar 2 or will it get a new number? When would it come to market? There will be a Polestar 2 successor because it's an incredibly successful car with 170,000 units on the road, but I cannot say when it will come. Sign in to access your portfolio
Mint
10-07-2025
- Automotive
- Mint
Can you watch a film in a moving vehicle?
The evolution of technology in cars has standardized features that were once reserved for the luxury segment. This, in turn, presents a conundrum for cars commanding a hefty premium over the mainstream ones. To stand apart, displays have offered car makers with avenues to innovate within the confines of a car cabin. For the BMW i7, this manifested in what is a rarity in cars in India—a full-scale theatre with a 31.3-inch 'Oled' (organic light-emitting diode) display, paired to an 18-speaker, 655-watt surround sound system built by British audio brand Bowers & Wilkins. To go with this, the company's infotainment modes come with a dedicated 'Theatre mode'—which rolls up the window and rear windscreen shades, closes the glass roof's shades too, and flips the display down for the rear passengers to savour. The experience, interestingly, is heightened by the company's inclusion of a port that allows users to use any streaming device with it. Through this, passengers in the rear seat can plug in an Amazon Fire Stick, connect it with their mobile phone's data plan, and have a functioning smart Oled television to view while on the highway for a long drive. The in-car theatre experience is definitely a unique one. The fold-out 'television' comes with a very wide aspect ratio; as a result, the content streamed on it actually uses a significantly smaller amount of the display area—at times, less than 70% of it. But, the display stands out for producing deep blacks and a sublime surround sound unit that would not be out of place even in a living room. This experience is further heightened by the use of a voice AI assistant, which responds to commands such as 'make the cabin cooler" and 'open the sunroof". The company uses an unspecified voice AI model underpinning the features, giving users access to voice commands to ensure that the theatre screen does not need to be folded away in order for other features to be accessed from the rear seat. Streaming quality is consistent with any smart television experience. However, patchy data networks across highways could play spoilsport—in which case, making content available offline prior to travel could be a better way to go. Other features that also aid volume adjustments and other elements include gesture control of playback as well. The only hiccup? The inside rear-view mirror is a traditional mirror and not a screen feeding visibility from the back of the car through a camera. This means that when the TV is deployed for the passengers in the back seat, there is no way for the chauffeur to see what's car, of course, allows drivers to voluntarily switch on the rear camera view on the main display, which can make up for this shortcoming. For a more seamless experience, buyers would likely have liked a more conventional aspect ratio screen for a more immersive television experience. Even without it, the unit delivers a show that can keep passengers on the rear seat relaxed and engaged for hours—all within the traditional comforts that luxury cars have offered over time.
Business Standard
04-07-2025
- Automotive
- Business Standard
BMW Group India records highest-ever H1 car deliveries, on fast-track with 10% growth
VMPL Gurugram (Haryana) [India], July 4: Propelling its robust performance in the current year, BMW Group India has posted its highest-ever car deliveries in H1 2025. The company sold 7,774 BMW and MINI cars and 2,569 motorcycles between January to June 2025. BMW sold 7,477 units and MINI 297 units. In the second quarter (April - June), each month recorded best-ever sales. Vikram Pawah, President and CEO, BMW Group India said, "Carrying forward the impressive performance of Q1 into H1, BMW Group India is steering the success story for this year with tremendous fervour. We are on a fast track, posting +10% growth despite a challenging environment as we continue to unfold new opportunities in luxury segment. Changing the game with our thrust on electric mobility, we are the most preferred Indian luxury EV brand with phenomenal +234% growth. Among SAVs as well as sedans, our long wheelbase luxury models are in great demand due to their seamless blend of comfort and performance. Coupled with the ongoing RetailNext transformation and Care customer support initiatives, we are redefining our customers' journey with joy and complete peace of mind." BMW Group Electric Vehicles (EV) For last three years, BMW Group India is the leader in luxury EV sales in India. In H1 2025, this lead continues with 1,322 BMW and MINI EVs sold. The company achieved enormous +234% growth in EV sales in the first half of the year. The BMW iX1 Long Wheelbase was the highest-selling electric car during this period, followed by the flagship BMW i7 in second spot. Electric cars now hold 18% share in total sales of BMW Group India. At the start of the year, BMW Group India announced many new initiatives for its EV customers including services like BMW Destination Charging, Smart E-Routing and Charging Concierge. Combined with complimentary Wallbox chargers and 24x7 open access to the company's fast-charging dealership network across the country, customers are able to embrace progressive e-mobility with complete peace of mind. BMW Group India currently offers six electric cars and two scooters - BMW i7, BMW iX, BMW i5, BMW i4, BMW iX1 Long Wheelbase, MINI Countryman E, BMW CE 04 and BMW CE 02. Stunning performance and driving dynamics are hallmark of the entire EV portfolio and each model stands for next level digitalisation and sustainability. BMW Long Wheelbase Range The long wheelbase BMW models saw a massive growth of +159% in H1 2025. This includes the BMW 7 Series, BMW 5 Series, BMW 3 Series and BMW iX1. BMW long wheelbase models today account for 47% share in total sales. Strategically positioning these models across its portfolio, BMW Group India proactively ascertained customers' needs and provided the ideal luxury product in each segment. The BMW 5 Series was the highest-selling BMW sedan in H1 with close to 20% share in sales. Meanwhile, the BMW 3 Series retained the class-leading position in Indian premium sedan segment. BMW Luxury Class BMW Luxury Class consists of flagship cars such as the BMW 7 Series, BMW i7, BMW X7 and BMW XM. Reigning at the absolute pinnacle of BMW's luxury world, these bespoke sedans and SAVs are the subject of highest aspiration and admiration among Indian luxury clientele. The BMW 7 Series and BMW i7 are leading in their respective segments while the BMW X7 has crossed the notable milestone of over 5,000 deliveries since launch. BMW Sports Activity Vehicles (SAV) BMW SAVs recorded a double-digit growth of +17% in H1 2025. Compared to 56% in Q1, their share in sales increased to 59% in Q2. BMW X1 was the highest selling SAV not just for BMW (over 30% share in sales), but in the Indian premium compact segment. The next most admired BMW SAV in H1 was the powerful BMW X5. MINI MINI delivered 297 units in H1 2025. MINI Cooper S was the highest-selling model and saw growth of over +60% as compared to H1 2024. Both the MINI Cooper S and the MINI Countryman E enjoyed almost equal share in sales. BMW Motorrad BMW Motorrad delivered 2,569 motorcycles in H1 2025. The BMW G 310 RR was most popular smart-cc bike. In the GS adventure world, the BMW 900 GS / GSA and the BMW 1300 GS / GSA were the best-selling models. In the super sports segment, the BMW S 1000 RR commanded the top spot. Immersive retail concept transforming customer experience With launch of BMW Group India aims to create a future-forward retail space that not only showcases its vehicles but also embodies the brand's commitment to luxury, innovation, and customer satisfaction. entails new design, new digital tools, new roles, and new processes. With a total investment of INR 365.6 crores, will be implemented across 56 facilities in 33 cities. BMW India Financial Services Through its innovative 'BMW Smart Finance' solutions, BMW India Financial Services delivers a compelling value proposition and complete peace of mind to customers. The tailored financial products offer attractive benefits such as low monthly instalments, assured buy-back, flexible end-of-term options, and the freedom to upgrade to a new car with ease. By making ownership more accessible and hassle-free, BMW Financial Services plays a crucial role in enabling sales and driving customer loyalty for the group brands in India.
