In Beijing's Chaoyang district, a quiet force is brewing, heralding the firm steps of luxury car brands Mercedes-Benz and BMW towards a new era of electrification in the Chinese market. This power comes from the joint venture between the two automobile giants - Beijing Yi'an Qi New Energy Technology***, which is not only a symbol of business cooperation, but also a deep insight into the future of mobility.
On November 30, 2023, Mercedes-Benz (China) Investment*** and BMW Brilliance Automotive*** announced the signing of a cooperation agreement to jointly establish this joint venture. With a registered capital of up to 100 million yuan, each party holds 50% of the shares, aiming to operate a supercharging network and provide strong support for the rapid growth of new energy vehicles.
The establishment of the joint venture is based on a deep understanding and response to the growing demand for new energy vehicles in the Chinese market. As the penetration rate of new energy vehicles continues to rise, the demand for charging infrastructure in the Chinese market is becoming more and more urgent. Mercedes-Benz and BMW, as world-renowned car manufacturers, naturally do not ignore this trend. They combine their charging operation experience in the global market and the Chinese market, as well as a deep understanding of the new energy vehicle industry, to provide customers with a seamless digital charging experience.
Imagine driving a Mercedes or BMW electric car in a bustling city or a quiet countryside without worrying about battery life, because a nationwide charging network is already laid at your feet. Whether it's plug and charge, or online appointment, it's easy. This is not only a technological advancement, but also a fulfillment of a promise to customers.
However, the competitive pressures behind it cannot be ignored. The surge in sales of new energy vehicles under its own brands such as BYD, Geely Automobile, and Changan Automobile has forced traditional luxury car companies to accelerate the pace of electrification transformation. The cooperation between Mercedes-Benz and BMW came into being in this context. Through the joint venture, they hope to not only improve the public charging experience of customers, but also occupy a place in the new energy vehicle market.
Although Mercedes-Benz recently announced that it will launch a new lineup of internal combustion engine models in 2027, this does not mean that they have abandoned the layout of electrification. On the contrary, Mercedes-Benz said that it will adopt a more pragmatic and flexible strategy to respond to the volatility of the market. By 2030, electric vehicles will account for 50% of Mercedes-Benz's overall sales, including hybrid products.
In overseas markets, Mercedes-Benz and BMW have many cooperation experiences. In the Chinese market, the establishment of this joint venture is undoubtedly the first important cooperation between the two parties in the domestic market in the past three years. This is not only the importance of the Chinese market, but also the common expectation for the future of new energy vehicles.
With the official establishment of the joint venture in Chaoyang District, Beijing, Mercedes-Benz and BMW will use this as a starting point to further expand their Supercharging network in the Chinese market. Their goal is clear and firm: to build at least 1,000 state-of-the-art supercharging stations and about 7,000 supercharging piles in China by the end of 2026. This will bring more convenient and reliable charging solutions to the Chinese market, and will also open up broader development prospects for Mercedes-Benz and BMW's electrified models.
In this new chapter of the new energy era, Mercedes-Benz and BMW are going hand in hand to write their own glory. Their story is not only about the innovation of automobiles, but also about the infinite vision and exploration of the future of mobility.