Artificial Intelligence Accelerates BMW’s Development
In recent years, Chinese automakers have set new standards not only in built-in technologies and advanced powertrains but also in the speed of launching new models. However, according to BMW’s Development Director Joachim Post, the German automaker has now reached a point where it can develop and launch new models even faster than its Chinese competitors.
Neue Klasse Transformation
The brand’s transition to the Neue Klasse platform is already actively underway. This new era brings with it not only a radically different design philosophy but also new electric vehicles on a new platform with improved engines and more sophisticated batteries. As part of this update, BMW promises to release 40 new models and updates over the next two years.
“Who can do this? Our Chinese colleagues cannot do this either. An individual car can always be developed quite quickly. But such an approach was not applied to the iX3 and the New Class. We spent a lot of time and energy to ensure a significant technological breakthrough for the entire model line. After all, we will only be successful if we integrate the technologies developed now into the entire model range,” Post noted.
He added that
“we can now bring cars to market as they say in Bavaria, ‘like baking pretzels.’ No one will be able to replicate us so quickly in what we plan to do in the next two years. And that is why I say that what we are doing now is more than ‘Chinese speed’.”
German Automakers Are Speeding Up
Earlier this month, Audi announced that it is working on the next generation of the TT in the style of “Chinese speed,” stating that the model will appear on the market just 30 months after approval. Obviously, German companies are aware of the need to shorten the development timelines for new models.
The Role of Artificial Intelligence
According to Post, one of the reasons why BMW will be able to launch more models faster than ever before lies in the use of artificial intelligence. He noted that the technology “helps us significantly,” especially in the field of programming and software development. Tasks that previously took an entire day can now be completed in a matter of minutes with the help of artificial intelligence.
Future Prospects
In the future, development timelines could be shortened even further. Post noted that previously, when someone, for example an engineer, left the company, they took their knowledge with them. Now BMW can train an AI model to preserve this knowledge and, importantly, prevent it from becoming an advantage for one of the competitors.
The planned scale of the BMW model range update is unprecedented for the company and could significantly impact the competitive landscape in the global automotive market. The ability to quickly adapt and innovate is becoming a key factor in the fight for leadership, especially in the world of electromobility where technologies are rapidly evolving. The success of the Neue Klasse strategy could determine the German brand’s market position in the near future.