BMW unwraps next-gen EV to take on Tesla, BYD

Electric future: Visitors take pictures of BMW’s ‘Neue Klasse’ in Munich. The concept car is expected to set the course for the company in the coming decades. — AFP

Munich: BMW AG presented the first prototype of its future electric-vehicle (EV) lineup, ringing in a new stage in the fight to catch up to Tesla Inc and defend sales in its most important market China.

The Vision Neue Klasse concept car, on display at this week’s IAA International Mobility show in Munich, shows off BMW’s dedicated EV underpinnings due in 2025 – around the time Mercedes-Benz Group AG is introducing its new battery-powered models. Software issues have delayed similar architectures from Volkswagen AG, pushing back key Porsche and Audi vehicles.