BMW Group Chairman Dr. Milan Nedeljković completed his first visit to China since assuming his role, using the trip to underscore the company's commitment to open markets and deepened localization. According to Gasgoo, Nedeljković arrived in Beijing on October 13, where he participated in the 2026 advisory committee meeting of Tsinghua University's School of Economics and Management and joined a collective meeting with Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang.
Call for fair competition and open trade
In his remarks, Nedeljković stressed that open cooperation is the only path forward amid rising protectionism globally. He reiterated BMW's steadfast support for open markets and free trade, noting that international dialogue is more important than ever. He argued that only fair competition can drive technological progress and create sustained value for customers, and welcomed competition in China focused on innovation, quality, and customer value.
The chairman emphasized that a stable, transparent, and trustworthy environment for trade, investment, and innovation is essential for sustainable business growth. He outlined BMW's strategy to deepen localization in China to support global development, with a target of producing over 95% of its China-sold vehicles locally by 2030. "Long-term commitment means continuous investment and deep localization," he said, expressing BMW's willingness to work with China for a shared future.
Sixth-generation battery production begins in Shenyang
Following his Beijing agenda, Nedeljković traveled to Shenyang, where he met with Liaoning provincial leaders to discuss long-term cooperation. On October 15, he attended the 2026 BMW China Innovation Day and the launch ceremony for the sixth-generation power battery production line. The battery project, built with a 10 billion yuan (about $1.41 billion) investment, marks a significant milestone in BMW's localization and electrification efforts in China.
The new battery plant is part of BMW's broader push to expand its electric vehicle lineup in China, the world's largest auto market. The company has been increasing its manufacturing footprint in the country, producing models like the iX3 and i3 locally. The sixth-generation battery technology is expected to support next-generation electric vehicles with improved energy density and charging performance.
