Amid SUV Trends, BMW Confirms To Stay Loyal To Present Sedan Cars With These 3 Steps

BMW electric car. (Photo: BMW)

JAKARTA - In the midst of a global trend increasingly driven by SUVs and crossovers, BMW insists it will not leave the sedan that has been the identity of the brand. BMW council member, Jochen Goller, stressed that sedans still have important venues for consumers in various markets.

ICE and conventional machines will never disappear. Never. This company will never leave a form that has built its brand. he said, quoted from Cartoq, Friday, October 3.

To maintain the existence of a sedan, BMW developed three core platforms. First, Neue Classe, which is the base of pure electric cars such as the latest generation iX3. This platform is specifically designed for aerodynamic efficiency, balanced weight distribution, and the latest software.

Second, a pure combustion engine platform for the entry level segment, targets areas with limited charging infrastructure. Third, flexible multi-energy platforms, can be used for EVs and turbo gasoline engines, especially for large models.

Through this strategy, BMW tries to keep the sedan character, both electric and conventional, to remain consistent with brand characteristics. Technology called Heart of Joy was also introduced, namely a centralized control system that makes the driving experience from steering responses to suspension characters feel like BMW, regardless of the type of engine.

BMW sees that sedans are still relevant, especially in markets that prioritize convenience and status, as well as offer aerodynamic efficiency that is difficult to match with SUVs. By leveraging three core platforms, BMW can also maintain production efficiency, reduce complexity, and adapt strategies to the conditions of each region.

This step is BMW's answer to the dynamics of the automotive industry. On the one hand, the German brand wants to invest in electric cars, but they still maintain combustion engines for markets that are not fully ready for electrification.

Why Are You Still Keeping Sedan?

SUVs provide volume and profit margins for many car manufacturers. However, sedans remain important in areas of prestigious shape and buyers want lower and quiet highway cruise cars.

BMW's stance suggests that they see stable demand for this format in the long term, although its market share is smaller than ever. Electric sedans made based on Neue Classe also help markets that want traditional silhouettes with zero emissions.

Battery packaging, aerodynamic efficiency, and cabin space can be adjusted without losing a three-box display, or BMW classic sedan design that has three clear body parts: engine hood, passenger room, and baggage

There is also a manufacturing point of view. Using three core platforms reduces complexity compared to running many separate bases. Joint components, general electronics, and standard software can cut costs and speed up launches.

This allows BMW to allocate more resources into technology than to maintain a long list of platforms. Safety, infotainment, and driver assistance can be rolled out across a wide range of sizes and powertrains without breaking the experience or doubling engineering efforts.