BMW has been a leading innovator in fast, lean, and efficient luxury cars for years. Each new generation gets ramped up just a bit more. With their recent efforts to use more carbon fiber, this German automaker's sleek and fuel-efficient lineup is becoming safer and more lightweight than ever.

It's hard to argue the utility of carbon fiber - it's stronger and lighter than traditional materials used to build cars. But it's also more expensive. It stands to reason, then, that BMW hasn't stopped at simply building their vehicles with more carbon fiber. On top of their joint-venture carbon fiber manufacturing plant in Washington with SGL Carbon SE, BMW has secured a 15.16-percent stake in the company - one of largest carbon fiber companies out there.

Together, the companies will manufacture state-of-the-art carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRPs) to integrate into future vehicle concepts and production models. Their extra investment in the company will enable BMW to utilize a more widespread implementation of carbon-fiber in their vehicles without impacting the wallets of consumers.

"Lightweight construction will play an increasingly important role in the automobile industry in the future," says BMW Board of Management member, Friedrich Eichiner. He goes on to say that "[BMW's] stake-holding in the SGL Group is a logical step that will further strengthen our successful cooperation."¹

Be sure to stay tuned with Kuni BMW to see how this investment will play out for the automaker. We're sure to see an increasing number of new BMW models featuring CFRPs roll into our showroom as this venture takes off. In the meantime, feel free to contact us via our website anytime, or stop in and see us at 10999 SW Canyon Rd Beaverton, OR 97005. We're always happy to answer your questions or provide more information about any particular model.

Source:¹http://www.motorward.com/2011/11/bmw-buys-shares-in-sgl-carbon-se/