It looks like tech companies are likely going to play a major role in the automotive industry a few years down the line. Google’s contributions to self-driving car technology speak for themselves and Apple is rumored to be working on its own electric car project.
The introduction of such cars does pose as a threat to legacy car makers like BMW who have been in the business longer than these tech companies have been in existence. Yet, in order to keep up with the rising trend and stay in business, the company will have to adapt.
Speaking with Reuters at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this week, BMW board member Klaus Froehlich said that it’s a core competency for the company to have the “most intelligent car” out there.
“Our task is to preserve or business model without surrendering it to an internet player,” he said, pointing out that otherwise it will end up as Foxconn for a company like Apple, “delivering only the metal bodies for them.”
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Apparently, BMW has mapped it out quite well and have a definitive vision of how it wants to proceed with this aim. Initially, they are looking to hire a greater amount of manpower, that will be aimed primarily at adding more software engineers to the company. The engineers will be tasked with building artificial intelligence which will power self-driving BMW vehicles of the future.
Moreover, it is worth adding that BMW is not denying the reality and the rising competition and doesn’t want to be left behind in the upcoming race. They are more than willing to join the autonomous future. This move speaks in volumes of the level of adaptability that the company is having in giving its fans and customers the best experience when it comes to its cars.
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