BMW Orders EREV Gasoline Engine from Taiwan's KYMCO

Taipei, Sept. 14, 2011 (CENS)--Kwang Yang Motor Co., Ltd. (KYMCO), the largest powered two-wheeler (PTW) manufacturer in Taiwan, recently announced orders from BMW for gasoline engines for its extended range electric vehicles (EREV), making Kymco the first Taiwanese contractor for a renowned German carmaker if all goes well.

Industry sources say BMW representatives signed the engine-supply agreement with Kymco on July 15 at the PTW maker's headquarters in Kaohsiung in southern Taiwan, with Kymco having confirmed the signing without disclosing details.

Kymco has been supplying for two years the 450cc motorcycle engine for the BMW G450X. Industry insiders say the BMW EREV will likely be launched two years later.

Over longer distances, EREVs, with relatively smaller engines than internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, consume noticeably less fuel in generator mode. The engine on EREVs only meets average power needs, with peak power needs met by batteries, versus ICE engines able to handle full range of power needs.

Some sources say Kymco's winning BMW order confirms the German carmaker's recognition of the Taiwanese PTW's technical capability, quality, and cost control.

Kymco, being low-keyed regarding the partnership with BMW, says the German firm sent five engineers to the Kaohsiung plant and items to be delivered will meet strict BMW specifications.

Senior managers of Kymco say the firm has learnt many advanced concepts from BMW that might be applied to development and production of engines via becoming a qualified supplier to the German brand.