BMW’s C evolution Electric Scooter: Exclusive FIRST RIDE
Alan Cathcart | August 29, 2012
BMW is in the process of re-inventing itself – and the unveiling of the C evolution – its first electric two-wheeler prototype – is proof positive of that.
Following BMW Motorrad’s record sales of 104,286 motorcycles in 2011 (more than in any other year since it began two-wheeled production in 1923), the German manufacturer has now diversified into the crucial new Urban Mobility market segment via its growing range of C-model scooters. In doing so, BMW is targeting the 50 percent of the world’s population that its research shows as already living in cities, with that figure expected to grow as much as 70 percent over the next 25 years. BMW believes that urban crowding, increased traffic density, rising energy costs, tougher noise and CO2 emissions regulations, and further limitations on the use of vehicles on inner city roads, will all combine to drive global demand steeply upwards for powered two-wheeler (PTW) personal transportation, and is taking steps to position itself at the forefront of this trend – starting with its two twin-cylinder maxi-scooters, the C600 Sport and C650GT.
Production of the big scooters is now in full flow at BMW’s Berlin factory – albeit using engines built in Taiwan by its established partner Kymco and BMW is betting on the power of the badge on the flanks of its new products to help its 1000 dealers around the world grab at least a foothold in what’s perceived as a growing global market…
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