Electric Cars

BMW Group is setting an ambitious target: achieving a 50/50 split in sales between electric vehicles (EVs) and internal combustion engine (ICE) cars across its BMW, Mini, and Rolls-Royce brands by 2030. This strategic goal comes despite EVs making up a relatively modest 17.9% of their total deliveries last year. The company's significant investment of over €10 billion in its Neue Klasse platform underscores this commitment, focusing heavily on new electric models, advanced battery technology, and expanded assembly capabilities. While acknowledging potential market volatility, BMW is aggressively rolling out new electric models and platforms to drive this transformation, balancing its traditional strength in ICE vehicles with a forward-looking electrified future.

Despite its pragmatic stance on maintaining a diverse range of powertrains, including gasoline and diesel engines, BMW is channeling substantial resources into its electric future. The Neue Klasse initiative represents the largest investment in the company's history, predominantly allocated to electric vehicle development, including next-generation motors, batteries, and a new manufacturing facility in Hungary. This dual strategy allows BMW to adapt to varied global market demands while pushing vigorously towards an electrified future. The company anticipates a rapid increase in EV adoption, banking on a robust pipeline of new electric models across different segments to achieve its challenging 2030 objective.

BMW's Electrification Strategy and Investments

BMW is making significant strides in its commitment to electric mobility, allocating over €10 billion to its innovative 'Neue Klasse' platform. This substantial investment primarily targets the development of new electric vehicle architectures, advanced battery technology, and the establishment of new manufacturing facilities, including a state-of-the-art plant in Debrecen, Hungary. This strategic financial commitment underscores BMW's determination to accelerate its transition towards an electrified future, while also indicating a pragmatic approach by continuing to invest in diverse powertrain options. The company's goal is to ensure flexibility in meeting varied global market demands and consumer preferences, despite a strong push towards electric vehicles.

This comprehensive strategy extends beyond just vehicle development, encompassing the expansion of infrastructure for high-voltage battery assembly plants. These efforts are crucial for scaling up EV production and achieving BMW's ambitious sales targets. The 'Neue Klasse' platform is expected to introduce a wave of advanced electric models, building on the initial success of vehicles like the upcoming iX3. BMW's progressive shift is demonstrated by the rapid increase in EV sales, from 4.1% in 2021 to 17.9% in 2025, highlighting a clear upward trend even before the full impact of the 'Neue Klasse' vehicles. This sustained growth, coupled with substantial investments, positions BMW to be a formidable contender in the rapidly evolving EV market.

Ambitious Sales Targets and Market Outlook

BMW Group has articulated a bold objective to achieve sales parity between electric vehicles and traditional gasoline-powered cars by 2030, a goal encompassing its entire brand portfolio, including Mini and Rolls-Royce. This represents a significant leap from the 17.9% share of EVs in total deliveries last year, indicating an aggressive acceleration in its electrification roadmap. The company views this 50% target as a realistic, albeit challenging, strategic milestone, underpinned by its substantial investments in new electric platforms and an expanding array of EV models. This forward-looking approach reflects BMW's confidence in market shifts and its capacity to lead in the evolving automotive landscape, despite the current disparity in sales figures.

To support this ambitious goal, BMW is preparing an extensive lineup of new electric models, with strong early indicators such as the 2026 iX3 securing over 50,000 orders. Upcoming launches include the i3 sedan and future iX5 and iX7 models, with plans for at least six electric SUVs from its Spartanburg plant by the decade's end. Moreover, BMW is exploring more accessible EV options, like potential i1 hatchback and i2 sedan variants, to capture a broader market. However, external factors such as varying regional EV adoption rates—7.8% in the US versus 19.5% in Europe—present challenges, leading BMW to acknowledge that market dynamics could influence the pace of its transition. Nonetheless, the company remains resolute in its long-term electrification vision.

Subaru has officially launched its Heritage Service Program, an initiative primarily aimed at supporting owners of the iconic GC-chassis WRX and STI models in Japan. This program will provide crucial replacement parts, allowing enthusiasts to maintain and preserve their classic vehicles. Following in the footsteps of other Japanese automakers such as Honda and Mazda, who have also introduced heritage parts programs, Subaru's move is a clear response to the enduring passion of its customer base. While currently exclusive to Japan, there is considerable anticipation that this service will eventually extend to international markets, including the United States, given the significant number of Subaru enthusiasts worldwide.

The announcement of Subaru's Heritage Service Program comes amidst a broader trend among Japanese car manufacturers to offer support for their legacy models. Honda recently rolled out its Heritage Parts Program in the U.S. for the first-generation NSX, demonstrating a growing recognition of the collector car market. Similarly, Mazda and other brands have established programs that, while often starting in Japan, have gradually expanded their parts availability globally. These initiatives are vital for owners of older vehicles, as sourcing authentic and reliable replacement components can be challenging, even for notoriously dependable Japanese cars.

Subaru's decision to focus on the GC-chassis WRX and STI models for its initial launch reflects the strong attachment many owners have to these vehicles. These early iterations of the WRX and STI are celebrated for their raw, rally-inspired driving dynamics, which resonate deeply with performance enthusiasts. The program was developed after extensive surveys indicated a widespread desire among Japanese owners to keep their vintage STIs and WRXs on the road indefinitely. The parts currently offered include essential items such as engine seals, headlights, and various perishables like weather stripping, all identified through a meticulous process of disassembling high-mileage vehicles to pinpoint common wear points.

One notable example of the cars benefiting from this program is the rare 1996 Subaru Impreza Type RA STI Ver.II V-Limited, a model with only 555 units produced to commemorate Subaru's 1995 WRC championship. Such vehicles, with their rich heritage and limited availability, are particularly reliant on manufacturer support for genuine parts. The Heritage Service program's dedicated website in Japan even includes a feature allowing owners to suggest what parts they would like to see made available next, highlighting Subaru's commitment to community engagement and responsiveness. This direct feedback mechanism suggests a future-oriented approach to parts supply, potentially leading to a broader array of components as the program evolves.

For Subaru enthusiasts in the United States and Canada, the introduction of this program sparks hope for similar support for USDM models. With the values of classic 'bugeye' WRXs and 2004–2005 STIs on the rise, and the STI badge currently on hiatus, a heritage parts program in these markets would be a strategic move for Subaru. It would not only cater to a dedicated fan base but also help preserve the legacy of these iconic performance cars. As the 25th anniversary of the USDM STI approaches, the prospect of a Trans-Pacific expansion of the Heritage Service program becomes an increasingly exciting possibility, promising to extend the life of these beloved vehicles with their distinctive wings and hoodscoops around the globe.