BMW has affirmed the hearsays that it will construct front-wheel drive cars. Dr. Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW announced this at the Annual Accounts Press Conference for 2010. He stated that “The small car segment is expected to grow further. And we will take advantage of this opportunity. We are exploring the possibility of developing a joint architecture for the front and four-wheel drive systems of these cars. In other words: There will be front-wheel drive BMWs in the smaller vehicle classes in the future. Heresy, BMW fans – We wouldn’t worry too much – there seems little chance that BMW will make a wholesale switch from powering the rear wheels to the fronts, especially for its mainstream models like the 3 Series, 5 Series and 7 Series – but the addition of a FWD chassis will make it easier for the automaker to share platforms with other companies and to reduce [its] fleet’s carbon-emissions worldwide by at least another 25 percent between 2008 and 2020.”

Dr. Reithofer stated further that “We consider carbon fiber a cutting-edge material for the auto industry. Our efforts will make sustainable mobility possible in urban environments.”