BMW AG presented the first prototype of its future electric-vehicle 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 next week's IAA 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.
With the sleek coupe, BMW is veering away from a decades-old tradition of advertising mainly the performance of its 'ultimate driving machines.' Instead, it's touting a digital display projected onto the entire width of the windscreen as well as software that can process voice commands and hand gestures. The move is a nod to customers in China, who are increasingly going for homegrown brands such as BYD Co. and Nio Inc. that have been better at building EVs with gadgets geared to local tastes.
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