BHR4CE1
09-11-2007, 07:57 AM
BMW CEO pledges lower emissions, better sales expected this year
FRANKFURT, Germany: Mindful of popular sentiment and likely government regulation, BMW AG's chief executive said Tuesday that the automaker will strive to reduce fleet emissions by next year.
"The BMW Group will completely fulfill its commitment," Norbert Reithofer said at the Frankfurt auto show. "We will reduce the CO2 emissions from our fleet by 25 percent from the 1995 levels by 2008."
It's a common theme at the show, with dozens of companies exhibiting new cars and concepts that boast less-polluting engines and alternative sources of power ranging from batteries to electricity to hydrogen.
The automaker, known for its luxury cars, also expects to sell more than 1.4 million cars this year, he said, adding that the company was protected against fluctuating exchange rates.
"We're striving for an operating profit in 2007 that will be above 2006," when the company earned €4.12 billion (US$5.68 billion), he said. Reithofer said the effect of shifting exchange rates — mainly a weaker dollar — this year would be less than last year, while raw material costs are expected to stay unchanged.
His remarks came as the Munich-based automaker offered a pre-production concept version of the X6 sport utility vehicle. Though few details were revealed about the spacious, four-seat, four-door crossover, it drew plenty of stares and careful looks.
Like the X5, it has a long wheelbase but a slightly lower profile with a sloping roof.
Mindful of conjecture that luxury automakers like Audi, Mercedes and others could be seeking strategic alliances, Reithofer was guarded, noting he remained wary of such tie-ups because they hurt flexibility.
Shares of BMW rose 2.8 percent to €43.96 (US$60.64) in Frankfurt.
FRANKFURT, Germany: Mindful of popular sentiment and likely government regulation, BMW AG's chief executive said Tuesday that the automaker will strive to reduce fleet emissions by next year.
"The BMW Group will completely fulfill its commitment," Norbert Reithofer said at the Frankfurt auto show. "We will reduce the CO2 emissions from our fleet by 25 percent from the 1995 levels by 2008."
It's a common theme at the show, with dozens of companies exhibiting new cars and concepts that boast less-polluting engines and alternative sources of power ranging from batteries to electricity to hydrogen.
The automaker, known for its luxury cars, also expects to sell more than 1.4 million cars this year, he said, adding that the company was protected against fluctuating exchange rates.
"We're striving for an operating profit in 2007 that will be above 2006," when the company earned €4.12 billion (US$5.68 billion), he said. Reithofer said the effect of shifting exchange rates — mainly a weaker dollar — this year would be less than last year, while raw material costs are expected to stay unchanged.
His remarks came as the Munich-based automaker offered a pre-production concept version of the X6 sport utility vehicle. Though few details were revealed about the spacious, four-seat, four-door crossover, it drew plenty of stares and careful looks.
Like the X5, it has a long wheelbase but a slightly lower profile with a sloping roof.
Mindful of conjecture that luxury automakers like Audi, Mercedes and others could be seeking strategic alliances, Reithofer was guarded, noting he remained wary of such tie-ups because they hurt flexibility.
Shares of BMW rose 2.8 percent to €43.96 (US$60.64) in Frankfurt.