Return to list

BMW Kui Chen: Strengthen cooperation with Chinese partners to create greater value through mutual empowerment.

2026-09-25

 

BMW Kui Chen: Strengthen cooperation with Chinese partners to create greater value through mutual empowerment.

 

On September 23, at the 2026 World New Energy Vehicle Congress (WNEVC), BMW Group was awarded the “2026 International New Energy Vehicle Innovation Technology” certificate for its “high‑nickel ternary large cylindrical cell‑based power battery integration technology,” or sixth‑generation power battery. This marks the fifth consecutive year and the sixth time that BMW Group has received this prestigious technical accolade, further underscoring its leading position in driving continuous innovation across core technologies in the new energy vehicle sector.

 

 

As an official partner of the World New Energy Vehicle Congress, BMW Group has participated in the event’s exchanges for the eighth consecutive year. This year, the next-generation BMW iX3, the next-generation BMW i3, and the all-new BMW i7 made their debut at the congress. During the conference, BMW also shared its practical experience and forward-looking insights on topics such as high-quality development of the new‑energy vehicle industry, open cooperation, and global collaborative innovation. In a video address to the main forum, BMW Group Board Member Dr. Gao Le stated: “The automotive industry is entering a new phase of high‑quality development driven by intelligent and connected vehicles. Long-term competitiveness requires not only customer‑centric innovation but, more importantly, the sustained pursuit of safety, quality, and efficiency across the entire value chain. In the face of industrial transformation, BMW Group remains committed to technological openness, leveraging innovation to drive growth and contributing to the advancement of the new‑energy vehicle sector.”
For BMW, the sixth-generation power battery is not only a technological innovation but also a key embodiment of its next‑generation technology strategy. Leveraging a full‑value‑chain framework that spans research and development, procurement, production, and recycling, BMW continues to drive the deep integration of battery technology, electric‑drive systems, digital technologies, and sustainable‑development principles, delivering a future‑oriented luxury mobility experience for its customers.

 

 

China has become a major global hub for innovation in the new‑energy vehicle industry and an integral part of BMW Group’s innovation ecosystem. At the China–Germany New‑Energy Vehicle Industry Cooperation and Development Forum during this conference, Dr. Stefan Zellmer, President and CEO of BMW Group Greater China, stated: “BMW’s next‑generation technology portfolio—encompassing sixth‑generation battery technology and the BMW Intelligent Driving Assistance system—embodies the deep integration of BMW’s century‑long engineering expertise with China’s innovative ingenuity. We will continue to strengthen our collaboration with Chinese partners, bringing more Chinese innovations to the global stage and creating greater industrial value through mutual empowerment.”
The sixth-generation power battery is a prime example of deep co‑creation. Leveraging the independent R&D capabilities of its dedicated Battery Cell Competence Center, BMW collaborates closely with Chinese partners such as CATL and EVE Energy, embedding BMW’s core technologies, safety requirements, and quality standards throughout joint development, engineering validation, and mass‑production processes. Today, industrial cooperation extends far beyond traditional component supply, encompassing software, artificial intelligence, industrial digitalization, and global process management—ensuring that Chinese innovation is more deeply integrated into BMW’s global ecosystem.
The sixth-generation power battery is not only an innovative breakthrough but also a key component of BMW’s Neue Klasse. As a next‑generation product and technology platform developed by the BMW Group to drive electrification, digitalization, and intelligent connectivity, Neue Klasse integrates sixth‑generation BMW eDrive electric‑drive technology, a completely new electrical and electronic architecture, and an advanced, intuitive human–machine interface. The new‑generation BMW iX3 and BMW i3 will be the first models to feature these cutting‑edge innovations, delivering a more efficient, smarter, and more engaging luxury driving experience.

 

 

The value of a power battery should not be judged solely by range or charging speed. For BMW, technological advancements that truly deliver user value must balance multiple considerations. As Dr. Fu Ruiwen, Senior Vice President of the BMW Group and Chief Technology Officer for China, put it: “This award is a well-deserved recognition of BMW’s innovative strength and our team’s outstanding performance. Like every groundbreaking technology in the New Generation, the sixth‑generation power battery delivers significant improvements across all dimensions that matter to customers. It combines stringent safety standards, exceptional range, efficient charging capabilities, and remarkable durability, laying a solid foundation for the hallmark driving pleasure that defines BMW in the electric era.”
Safety is always the top priority. The new-generation large cylindrical battery cells feature a steel‑shell protective design, a safety‑rated top connection, bottom‑oriented pressure relief, and multi‑layer insulation. Coupled with a systematic thermal management and state‑monitoring system, they enhance controllability under abnormal operating conditions and ensure long‑term stability in everyday use. Leveraging its Battery Cell Competence Center, BMW has established end‑to‑end cell capabilities spanning R&D, validation, mass production, and recycling, upholding the baseline of technological innovation through rigorous scientific verification and engineering standards. For consumers, the advancements brought by the sixth‑generation power battery translate into a more reassuring, efficient, and composed daily driving experience. Take the next‑generation BMW iX3 50L xDrive as an example: it boasts a usable battery capacity of 111.3 kWh; under CLTC conditions, a 10‑minute charge can add 418 km of range, and fast‑charging from 10% to 80% takes just 21 minutes. BMW’s proprietary Energy Master intelligent energy‑management system is compatible with both 400V and 800V charging networks, intelligently allocating energy based on vehicle requirements and charging scenarios.
This summer, the new‑generation BMW iX3 “Electric Thousand‑Mile Horse” series has drawn widespread attention. The test vehicle set out from BMW’s Shenyang production base and drove all the way to the Beijing R&D center, achieving a range of over 1,000 kilometers on a single charge. Even in the challenging high‑altitude, extreme temperature‑difference conditions around Qinghai Lake, it still delivered a range exceeding 800 kilometers. Thanks to the synergistic innovation of the sixth‑generation power battery, the 800V high‑voltage platform, and BMW’s Intelligent Energy Management system, drivers not only enjoy extended range but also gain the confidence and freedom to travel across regions.

 

 

Looking ahead, BMW will remain committed to a long-term development philosophy, leveraging innovative technologies—most notably its sixth-generation battery—to accelerate the implementation of its New Generation product strategy. Working hand in hand with industry partners, BMW will drive high‑quality growth in the new‑energy vehicle sector and contribute further groundbreaking innovations to the global green transition. From participating in the World New Energy Vehicle Conference for eight consecutive years to receiving technical accolades for the fifth year in a row—and for the sixth time overall—BMW’s journey at the event underscores a clear path: building core competencies through sustained, long‑term investment; expanding the value of innovation through open collaboration; and addressing diverse market and customer needs with a portfolio of technology pathways. Moving forward, BMW will continue to advance the synergistic evolution of its sixth‑generation battery, next‑generation electric drive systems, intelligent energy management, and a New Generation electrical/electronic architecture, gradually extending these cutting‑edge innovations across an expanding range of models and contributing fresh momentum to the pursuit of high‑quality electrification.

Reposted from Sina Auto

Return to list

BMW Kui Chen: Strengthen cooperation with Chinese partners to create greater value through mutual empowerment.

2026-09-25

 

BMW Kui Chen: Strengthen cooperation with Chinese partners to create greater value through mutual empowerment.

 

On September 23, at the 2026 World New Energy Vehicle Congress (WNEVC), BMW Group was awarded the “2026 International New Energy Vehicle Innovation Technology” certificate for its “high‑nickel ternary large cylindrical cell‑based power battery integration technology,” or sixth‑generation power battery. This marks the fifth consecutive year and the sixth time that BMW Group has received this prestigious technical accolade, further underscoring its leading position in driving continuous innovation across core technologies in the new energy vehicle sector.

 

 

As an official partner of the World New Energy Vehicle Congress, BMW Group has participated in the event’s exchanges for the eighth consecutive year. This year, the next-generation BMW iX3, the next-generation BMW i3, and the all-new BMW i7 made their debut at the congress. During the conference, BMW also shared its practical experience and forward-looking insights on topics such as high-quality development of the new‑energy vehicle industry, open cooperation, and global collaborative innovation. In a video address to the main forum, BMW Group Board Member Dr. Gao Le stated: “The automotive industry is entering a new phase of high‑quality development driven by intelligent and connected vehicles. Long-term competitiveness requires not only customer‑centric innovation but, more importantly, the sustained pursuit of safety, quality, and efficiency across the entire value chain. In the face of industrial transformation, BMW Group remains committed to technological openness, leveraging innovation to drive growth and contributing to the advancement of the new‑energy vehicle sector.”
For BMW, the sixth-generation power battery is not only a technological innovation but also a key embodiment of its next‑generation technology strategy. Leveraging a full‑value‑chain framework that spans research and development, procurement, production, and recycling, BMW continues to drive the deep integration of battery technology, electric‑drive systems, digital technologies, and sustainable‑development principles, delivering a future‑oriented luxury mobility experience for its customers.

 

 

China has become a major global hub for innovation in the new‑energy vehicle industry and an integral part of BMW Group’s innovation ecosystem. At the China–Germany New‑Energy Vehicle Industry Cooperation and Development Forum during this conference, Dr. Stefan Zellmer, President and CEO of BMW Group Greater China, stated: “BMW’s next‑generation technology portfolio—encompassing sixth‑generation battery technology and the BMW Intelligent Driving Assistance system—embodies the deep integration of BMW’s century‑long engineering expertise with China’s innovative ingenuity. We will continue to strengthen our collaboration with Chinese partners, bringing more Chinese innovations to the global stage and creating greater industrial value through mutual empowerment.”
The sixth-generation power battery is a prime example of deep co‑creation. Leveraging the independent R&D capabilities of its dedicated Battery Cell Competence Center, BMW collaborates closely with Chinese partners such as CATL and EVE Energy, embedding BMW’s core technologies, safety requirements, and quality standards throughout joint development, engineering validation, and mass‑production processes. Today, industrial cooperation extends far beyond traditional component supply, encompassing software, artificial intelligence, industrial digitalization, and global process management—ensuring that Chinese innovation is more deeply integrated into BMW’s global ecosystem.
The sixth-generation power battery is not only an innovative breakthrough but also a key component of BMW’s Neue Klasse. As a next‑generation product and technology platform developed by the BMW Group to drive electrification, digitalization, and intelligent connectivity, Neue Klasse integrates sixth‑generation BMW eDrive electric‑drive technology, a completely new electrical and electronic architecture, and an advanced, intuitive human–machine interface. The new‑generation BMW iX3 and BMW i3 will be the first models to feature these cutting‑edge innovations, delivering a more efficient, smarter, and more engaging luxury driving experience.

 

 

The value of a power battery should not be judged solely by range or charging speed. For BMW, technological advancements that truly deliver user value must balance multiple considerations. As Dr. Fu Ruiwen, Senior Vice President of the BMW Group and Chief Technology Officer for China, put it: “This award is a well-deserved recognition of BMW’s innovative strength and our team’s outstanding performance. Like every groundbreaking technology in the New Generation, the sixth‑generation power battery delivers significant improvements across all dimensions that matter to customers. It combines stringent safety standards, exceptional range, efficient charging capabilities, and remarkable durability, laying a solid foundation for the hallmark driving pleasure that defines BMW in the electric era.”
Safety is always the top priority. The new-generation large cylindrical battery cells feature a steel‑shell protective design, a safety‑rated top connection, bottom‑oriented pressure relief, and multi‑layer insulation. Coupled with a systematic thermal management and state‑monitoring system, they enhance controllability under abnormal operating conditions and ensure long‑term stability in everyday use. Leveraging its Battery Cell Competence Center, BMW has established end‑to‑end cell capabilities spanning R&D, validation, mass production, and recycling, upholding the baseline of technological innovation through rigorous scientific verification and engineering standards. For consumers, the advancements brought by the sixth‑generation power battery translate into a more reassuring, efficient, and composed daily driving experience. Take the next‑generation BMW iX3 50L xDrive as an example: it boasts a usable battery capacity of 111.3 kWh; under CLTC conditions, a 10‑minute charge can add 418 km of range, and fast‑charging from 10% to 80% takes just 21 minutes. BMW’s proprietary Energy Master intelligent energy‑management system is compatible with both 400V and 800V charging networks, intelligently allocating energy based on vehicle requirements and charging scenarios.
This summer, the new‑generation BMW iX3 “Electric Thousand‑Mile Horse” series has drawn widespread attention. The test vehicle set out from BMW’s Shenyang production base and drove all the way to the Beijing R&D center, achieving a range of over 1,000 kilometers on a single charge. Even in the challenging high‑altitude, extreme temperature‑difference conditions around Qinghai Lake, it still delivered a range exceeding 800 kilometers. Thanks to the synergistic innovation of the sixth‑generation power battery, the 800V high‑voltage platform, and BMW’s Intelligent Energy Management system, drivers not only enjoy extended range but also gain the confidence and freedom to travel across regions.

 

 

Looking ahead, BMW will remain committed to a long-term development philosophy, leveraging innovative technologies—most notably its sixth-generation battery—to accelerate the implementation of its New Generation product strategy. Working hand in hand with industry partners, BMW will drive high‑quality growth in the new‑energy vehicle sector and contribute further groundbreaking innovations to the global green transition. From participating in the World New Energy Vehicle Conference for eight consecutive years to receiving technical accolades for the fifth year in a row—and for the sixth time overall—BMW’s journey at the event underscores a clear path: building core competencies through sustained, long‑term investment; expanding the value of innovation through open collaboration; and addressing diverse market and customer needs with a portfolio of technology pathways. Moving forward, BMW will continue to advance the synergistic evolution of its sixth‑generation battery, next‑generation electric drive systems, intelligent energy management, and a New Generation electrical/electronic architecture, gradually extending these cutting‑edge innovations across an expanding range of models and contributing fresh momentum to the pursuit of high‑quality electrification.

Reposted from Sina Auto