BMW is betting billions on a total EV reboot. Is it too late?
German carmakers have had a rough few years, finding themselves challenged to keep pace with Tesla and Chinese EV rivals that are faster, techier, and increasingly more premium. But BMW is now going all-in on the future, making what could be the biggest gamble in its 109-year history: a multibillion-dollar reinvention of its cars, tech and production model simply called Neue Klasse.
In this episode of TransportBT, a podcast of BT Correspondents, host Derryn Wong sits down with Lars Nielsen, managing director of BMW Group Asia, to unpack what this giant leap means for drivers, investors, and possibly even the entire car industry.
Why listen
- The biggest transformation in BMW history – How Neue Klasse is more than just a new car; it’s a complete reboot of design, tech, and production that will ripple across BMW’s entire lineup.
- Tech that matters – From 800 km EV range to 20 times more computing power, find out how BMW is turning its cars into safer, faster, smarter machines.
- Asia’s influence on car culture – Why megacities like Singapore, Shanghai, and Bangkok are shaping the way future BMWs will be used, from onboard entertainment to in-car gaming.
- Riding out global volatility – How BMW plans to stay agile despite tariffs, luxury sales slowdowns, and political curveballs.
As our correspondent finds out, this is more than a car launch, it’s a glimpse at how the next decade of mobility might look from the lens of a global market leader. Listen now.
TransportBT is a podcast of BT Correspondents by The Business Times. Join Derryn Wong every month as he breaks down the headlines and the policy moves driving our mobility. Listen now at bt.sg/podcasts. Got feedback or an idea for a future episode? Drop us a line at btpodcasts@sph.com.sg.
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Written and hosted by: Derryn Wong (derrynwong@sph.com.sg)
With Lars Nielsen, managing director, BMW Group Asia
Edited by: Emily Liu & Claressa Monteiro
Produced by: Derryn Wong, Emily Liu & Chai Pei Chieh
A podcast by BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media
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