More Carbon Fiber on Future BMW Models
Thursday, March 3, 2011 by Anonymous
The public will now be seeing more carbon fiber in future BMW units. According to reports, the carmaker has discovered numerous other ways to maximize the use of the material. BMW officially announced that they will be using carbon fiber extensively in their Megacity electric vehicle. The carbon fiber frenzy won’t be exclusive to BMW’s electric car project, though.
According to Ian Robertson, the global sales head of the company, BMW intends to be the first car company to use massive volumes of carbon fiber in all of their vehicles. Robertson adds that by maximizing the use of carbon fiber on their cars, better economies will be tapped into.
To date, BMW and partner company SGL Group plans to construct a $100 million carbon fiber manufacturing plant. This should be able to supply enough carbon fiber for BMW’s electric car. Robertson also revealed during the interview in Beijing Motor Show that this plant will be situated in Washington.
While the plant in Washington is underway, a factory located in Germany will be molding the Megacity’s paneling. The Megacity Vehicle is set to be released in 2013. With the use of the carbon fiber material, the electric vehicle is bound to be light weight. This should make up for the heaviness of the EV’s batteries.
Carbon fiber is also boasted to have outstanding features for crash safety. Robertson admits that the material will be costly, but the sales head remains positive about the ventures advantages. Carbon fiber, according to Robertson, should make the car at least 30% lighter. With the heavy batteries of the EV, Robertson is optimistic that the trade off will work, and it’ll be a great addition to the alternative car fuels of the future!
According to Ian Robertson, the global sales head of the company, BMW intends to be the first car company to use massive volumes of carbon fiber in all of their vehicles. Robertson adds that by maximizing the use of carbon fiber on their cars, better economies will be tapped into.
To date, BMW and partner company SGL Group plans to construct a $100 million carbon fiber manufacturing plant. This should be able to supply enough carbon fiber for BMW’s electric car. Robertson also revealed during the interview in Beijing Motor Show that this plant will be situated in Washington.
While the plant in Washington is underway, a factory located in Germany will be molding the Megacity’s paneling. The Megacity Vehicle is set to be released in 2013. With the use of the carbon fiber material, the electric vehicle is bound to be light weight. This should make up for the heaviness of the EV’s batteries.
Carbon fiber is also boasted to have outstanding features for crash safety. Robertson admits that the material will be costly, but the sales head remains positive about the ventures advantages. Carbon fiber, according to Robertson, should make the car at least 30% lighter. With the heavy batteries of the EV, Robertson is optimistic that the trade off will work, and it’ll be a great addition to the alternative car fuels of the future!
