New energy vehicles

Another important part of BMW Brilliance's strategy is new energy vehicles.

Its local effort in new energy vehicles dates back to 2010, when it co-developed a pure electric BMW 5 Series under the Echo project with Tongji University.

All key components of the electric model came from China. At the 2011 Shanghai auto show, BMW Brilliance unveiled a hybrid 5 Series sedan. Kastner said the company is now accelerating development to bring it to market.

He said in 2013, BMW Brilliance will unveil a new brand wholly owned by the JV for new energy vehicles.

"Why we chose China to develop such a new brand is because we all know China has a large number of vehicles and a very fast urbanization rate," said Kastner. "We urgently need several new energy or new concept models to solve traffic congestion and other problems in urban development."

He said that both BMW Group and the BMW Brilliance fully support the development of the new energy brand that is under "a very strict timetable" by "a very complete team."

Despite the overall slowdown of the auto market in 2012, BMW Brilliance sold more than 127,000 units in the first 11 months of the year, with an increase rate of nearly 50 percent, the fastest growth rate in the Chinese premium auto market..

As the year draws to a close, he said sales by the joint venture in 2012 will set a new historic record without question. .

BMW Brilliance was also named "one of the most popular employers in the automotive industry in 2012" by 51Job.com, one of the nation's top employment portals.

"It is very encouraging because our job opportunities and talent training programs have been widely accepted," said the CEO.

"BMW Brilliance always emphasizes the importance of people. We hope to attract more good talent to help our company achieve better development," he said.

Kastner said changes ahead in 2013 for BMW Brilliance will "make people see the essence of confidence" as the company further improves technology, sales channels, R&D and social responsibility.

"Of course we have a very clear goal, the most important of which is not sales - that is only a matter of time," he said. "What we care most about are clients."

Kastner believes that China's luxury auto segment has bright prospects, but "the key point is that we can't have overcapacity".

"We should fully consider market demands and adroitly react to them," he noted.

"BMW Brilliance takes every year as a new start. We will be adequately prepared for the new challenges coming in the new year."

xuxiao@chinadaily.com.cn

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