BMW to bring in hybrid models within next 2 years

BMW Group Malaysia plans to bring in hybrid models within the next two years, says its managing director, Geoffrey Briscoe. He said among the models were the three- and the five-series hybrids, based on the market acceptance of the non-hybrid models of the series, which constituted about 80 per cent of the sales volume. "We'll bring in the seven-series hybrid as well, but the main models would be the three- and the five-series," he said at the launch of BMW EfficientDynamics showcase here today. Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Jacob Dungau Sagan officiating the event. Briscoe said whether BMW would assemble the models here would depend on the incentives provided by the government and the acceptance by the market. "It's unlikely at this stage although 90 per cent of our cars are assembled here," he said. He said until the price came down and a way was found to produce the cars more efficiently, BMW would not be able to assemble them here. The showcase features the ActiveE concept vehicle, a fully electric car based on the BMW 1 Series. The vehicle is an initiative by BMW towards the development and introduction of market-feasible electric vehicles by 2013.