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BMW CEO says EU ban on combustion engines in 2035 is a "big mistake" and sees strong sales for 2025

BMW CEO Oliver Zipse called the European Union’s plan to phase out combustion engines by 2035 a “big mistake”, and called for emission measures that cover a vehicle’s entire supply chain.

Zipse stated in an interview published by Politico on Friday that a date fixed for the transition would risk ignoring emissions along the entire value chain. This includes battery production and fuel sources.

He said that fuel producers should also be held responsible for allowing climate-friendly fuels after 2035.

In an interview that was published Friday morning, he stated: "We don't do ourselves any favours by setting arbitrarily future dates by which we expect all industries to adapt." The current rules are absurd because the Shells and BPs do not have targets.

Zipse stated that despite the challenges facing the automotive industry, such as high tariffs, low demand, and Chinese competition, BMW is still on track to reach its goal of selling more than 2,500,000 vehicles by 2025. He said that as of August, BMW was ahead of the numbers of last year.

He spoke ahead of the IAA, Europe's largest motor show, in Munich where the Bavarian company will unveil the first model of its new electric vehicle class. (Reporting and editing by Emelia Sithole Matarise; Thomas Escritt)

(source: Reuters)