Tuesday, February 23, 2010
![BMW ActiveE Concept](http://img.worldcarfans.com/2010/2/medium/472019000.jpg)
BMW plans to assemble their electric cars at a manufacturing facility in Leipzig, Germany. Amongst these vehicles is a subcompact, referred to internally as the "Megacity," which the automaker plans to release midway through 2013 with a different name.
![BMW ActiveE Concept](http://img.worldcarfans.com/2009/12/medium/4827833.jpg)
“The BMW Group will build the car of the future in Leipzig with high-tech innovations from Bavaria,” BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer said in a statement. “The main reasons behind this decision are the qualities that Germany has to offer: we have a tried-and-tested production network here and high levels of education and outstanding competencies at our disposal.”
![BMW ActiveE Concept](http://img.worldcarfans.com/2009/12/medium/6361886.jpg)
BMW plans to launch an entire family of electric vehicles from the Megacity subcompact, which is designed for major metropolitan areas. BMW hasn't decided on a production name for the car.
![BMW ActiveE Concept](http://img.worldcarfans.com/2009/12/medium/5322175.jpg)
A heavy use of carbon fiber will help keep the Megacity lightweight. A joint venture with BMW and SGL Group will produce a carbon fiber fabric that will later become carbon fiber reinforced plastic. The automaker has not said what parts will be made from the material.
![BMW ActiveE Concept](http://img.worldcarfans.com/2009/12/medium/558272.jpg)
At the Detroit auto show in January, BMW presented its ActiveE concept, an electric-drive vehicle based on the 1-series coupe. Next year, BMW development chief Klaus Draeger plans to launch another test fleet of electric cars based on the ActiveE.
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Labels: BMW, Electric Vehicle, German, Industry, Production