Shanghai. On July 18, 2023, the BMW Group expanded its research and development (R&D) capabilities in China with the opening of a new R&D Center in Shanghai. China already houses BMW Group’s largest R&D system outside of Germany, with locations in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenyang, and Nanjing. By merging all of BMW’s R&D functions in China under one roof, the company aims to improve collaboration and performance. With the establishment of a fully-fledged R&D competency and software development capabilities in China, BMW is now well-positioned to implement its China strategy.
According to Mr. Frank Weber, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Development, the NEUE KLASSE of BMW will redefine driving pleasure by offering fascinating products and premium mobility experiences empowered by digitalization. With the new R&D Center and the upgrade of BMW China’s R&D capabilities, the company aims to achieve significant competence advancement. Over the past three years, BMW has tripled its workforce in China, with over 3,200 designers, engineers, NEV (New Energy Vehicle) specialists, and software experts collaborating closely with Chinese tech players, start-ups, local partners, and academia. Going forward, BMW plans to incorporate more Chinese elements into its global R&D organization.
BMW’s strong focus on R&D and innovation has been vital to its leadership in the automotive industry. The company’s renowned R&D Center in Munich, FIZ, was established in 1990. Today, BMW has R&D facilities in 17 countries, with China being home to the largest R&D and innovation network outside of Germany. The company firmly believes that China is the future hub for mobility and has upgraded its R&D management in China to better integrate local innovation capabilities into BMW Group’s global R&D organization. The China R&D team plays a significant role in the design, development, testing, and validation of locally-produced electric vehicles.
The NEUE KLASSE, BMW’s upcoming generation of all-electric models, will showcase various China-led innovations. BMW is also aiming to take the digital user experience in China to the next level by focusing on human-machine interaction and hardware-software integration. China currently houses BMW’s Skylab, the team responsible for human-machine interaction design and usability research, making it the only market outside of Germany to have this capability. BMW’s BA TechWorks in Nanjing is expanding its software team to enhance software development capabilities for Intelligent Connected Vehicles.
As part of its effort to bridge the East and the West, Designworks Shanghai, BMW’s local design studio, will integrate even deeper into the R&D center. This integration will empower future design through digitization, leveraging the studio’s expertise in LED and VR technology. Designworks has been operating in Shanghai since 2012 and has become a bridge between Western and Chinese aesthetics in automotive design.
In terms of validation, BMW has established its largest e-mobility R&D footprint outside of Germany in China. The BMW Shenyang R&D Center, which has been focusing on electrification technology development for over 10 years, now houses the company’s first battery center outside of Germany with full battery capabilities. Additionally, the Shenyang R&D Center has advanced testing and validation capabilities for new energy vehicles.
China also hosts BMW’s largest testing and validation footprint outside of Germany. The Shenyang R&D Center features a global-leading EMC laboratory, an NVH laboratory, and a High-Voltage Battery testing lab to ensure high-performance and safety across all conditions. BMW conducts rigorous vehicle testing in various geographical locations and extreme weather conditions to ensure excellent performance for customers worldwide.
BMW Group Tech Office Asia-Pacific in Shanghai focuses on tech scouting for advanced technologies and innovations. The office collaborates with innovative companies, offers platforms for start-ups, and engages with tech giants and top universities in China. BMW recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with China Automotive Technology & Research Center (CATARC) to cooperate in areas such as intelligent connected vehicles, new energy vehicles, sustainability, and vehicle safety.
With its expanded R&D capabilities and focus on innovation, BMW is well-positioned to continue delivering cutting-edge products and digital user experiences in China and worldwide.