12일(현지시간) 세바스찬 맥켄슨(Sebastian Mackensen) BMW 북미법인장은 블룸버그TV와의 인터뷰에서 "전기차 시장이 당연히 성장하고 있다. 다만, 성장 속도가 1년 또는 6개월 전 예상한 것만큼은 아니다"고 언급했다.
맥켄슨 법인장은 "BMW가 2030년까지 미국 사우스캐롤라이나 공장에서 6종의 순수전기차를 생산할 계획이다"고 밝혔다. 지난 10월 BMW는 사우스캐롤라이나에서 배터리 조립 공장을 착공한 바 있다.
전미자동차노조(UAW)는 BMW 공장 노조화를 추진한다고 밝힌 바 있다. 맥켄슨 법인장은 이에 대해 직접적으로 언급하지 않았으며, "회사의 급여가 경쟁력이 있다"고 언급했다.
BMW는 연방 세제혜택이 적용되는 리스를 전기차에 적용해 더 저렴하게 소비자들이 사용할 수 있도록 하고 있다. 맥켄슨 법인장은 "전기차가 내연기관차보다 비싸기 때문에, 리스가 가격 차이를 줄이는 데 도움이 되고 있다"고 언급했다.
BMW Expects EV Sales to Keep Growing, Just at a Slower Pace (Bloomberg, 12-14)
Firm will build six electric models in South Carolina by 2030
North America CEO says leasing makes EVs more affordable
Cars are assembled in the BMW Group factory in Munich, Germany. Photographer: Leonhard Simon/Getty Images
BMW AG remains bullish on battery-powered electric vehicles in the US, even though it’s expecting the sector’s market share gains to slow.
“Is there a growing market for electric vehicles? 100% yes,” Sebastian Mackensen, BMW of North America’s chief executive officer and president, told Bloomberg TV Tuesday. “Is the growth on the exact same level as maybe some experts have estimated a year ago or six months ago? Maybe not.”
Mackensen said that BMW plans to manufacture six fully electric vehicle models in its Spartanburg, South Carolina, plant by 2030. The company also began construction in October on a $700 million high-voltage battery assembly plant in nearby Woodruff, South Carolina.
Last month, the United Auto Workers named BMW’s Spartanburg plant as one if its targets for a unionization push. While not addressing that drive directly, Mackensen said his company’s compensation packages are competitive, noting benefits include the ability to lease a BMW.
EV Leasing Push
The German automaker is countering EVs being priced higher than gasoline-powered vehicles by offering lease credits to retail customers, which allows the company to tap into federal subsidies. That makes its electric lineup more affordable.
“The consumer doesn’t seem to be open to pay a real price premium for a different propulsion technology,” Mackensen said in a separate interview on Tuesday. Leasing helps reduce the price gap, he said.
BMW views EV market leader Tesla Inc. as a good measure of interest in EVs and doesn’t see a partisan divide in demand between so-called blue states that typically vote for the Democratic Party and Republican-dominated red states.
“I don’t think it’s a red state-blue state issue,” Shaun Bugbee, BMW of North America’s executive vice president, said in the interview. Tesla is the market leader for full electric and “they sell in every state irrespective of color. We see a similar path.”
— With assistance from Chester Dawson