The investment is expected to help the companies accommodate a surge in demand as BMW rolls out its i3 and i8 electric cars, both of which utilize carbon fiber to help keep weight down and improve efficiency. The company already uses carbon-fiber components in limited volume for its M-Series sports cars.
A report from the German business newspaper Handelsblatt suggests BMW is also preparing to use the lightweight material for its next-generation 7-Series sedans. Earlier reports point to the hood, roof and trunk lid as likely components for composite fabrication.
Although carbon fiber has been a niche material typically reserved for high-end supercars, it has begun a transition into mainstream use as automakers continue to aim for better fuel efficiency. Price has been a prohibitive factor, but the latest investment is expected to help lower costs by as much as 30 percent.
BMW in 2012 established a separate collaborative agreement with Boeing, sharing knowledge regarding carbon fiber recycling and fabrication techniques. The aerospace company uses carbon fiber to build the fuselage and wings for its flagship 787 Dreamliner.
BMW appears to be encountering difficulty keeping up with demand for its i3, which arrived in German showrooms late last year. Orders surpassed 11,000 by the end of January, resulting in a waiting list that isn’t expected to be fulfilled for at least six months. It is unclear if carbon-fiber parts are contributing to production limits.
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