BMW to start full-scale production of 5 Series Active-Hybrid model

BMW, the Germany based luxury car maker, is planning to start a full scale production of its 5 Series Active-Hybrid concept, from the next year. The company is also eyeing to introduce this dual-power-train technology into its smaller luxury cars like BMW 3 Series.

The 5 Series hybrid can be driven on fully electric mode, as soon as its brakes recuperate enough kinetic energy initially generated by its petrol engine. It is company's second fully-hybrid model after BMW Active-Hybrid X6, which was launched in Dec last year.

While briefing to the reporters at BMW's annual general meeting in Munich, Mr Norbert Reithofer, chief executive of the company, said that as early as next year, the new BMW 5 Series will also be available as a full hybrid. And company is anticipating the hybridization of further model series, such as the BMW 3 Series.

As the Brussels aiming to cut down CO2 emission level to 95 grams by 2020 for new cars sold in Europe, companies like BMW needs to lower the carbon footprint of its portfolio models in coming years. Last year, BMW's European fleet emissions was at 150 grams, as against 156g at the end of 2008. Company want to reduce the carbon emissions of its global fleet by at least another 25 per cent between 2008 and 2020, Mr Reithofer added.

While commenting on the demand of hybrid cars in Japan, Mr Reithofer said that if you don't have a hybrid in your portfolio, you soon might not be selling any cars in Japan at all.

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