BMW Partners With Samsung, Sets Sights On Its Transition Into The 'Era of Electric Mobility'

Leading car manufacturing company BMW expands into the "era of electric mobility" with the help of its new partner Samsung and several South Korean car component makers, Korea Herald reported Monday.

The partnership agreement between BMW and Samsung focuses on the development electronic car parts.

The partnership's first project is the 2016 BMW 7 Series, which features a Samsung Tablet that functions as a control device for the car.

In his statement in a press conference held in Seoul, Harald Krueger, chairman of BMW's board of management, said the company has an excellent relationship with Samsung in terms of the manufacture and development of batteries and cells to be used for electric vehicles. Krueger sees the long-term partnership as vital since BMW is setting its sights on electric mobility. 

He also added that there are already many good car parts suppliers for BMW in South Korea, a factor which urged him to propose the idea of putting up a research and development center in the country.

Due to the company's prolific ties with South Korean car parts manufacturers, BMW considers the country a "key strategic market in the world". BMW also belives that South Korea is poised to become a car manufacturing giant. 

According to the group's chairman, BMW Korea has sold a total of more than 50,000 units last year. 

Krueger added that he is optimistic that the South Korean market will mark further growth this year.