Adaptibility the Key to Surviving in Euro Auto Industry, Says BMW

BMW'sBMWGermany, 1918 > present87 models
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CEO Norbert Reithofer says that the company's continuing success in Europe is to due its robust and adaptable production system that allows it to react quickly to market changes. 

"Instead of making forecasts that don't materialize after all, companies should create robust systems that get stronger, not weaker through chance, change and stress," he said. 

The company has made deals with its labor union that allow it to slow down or speed up production of cars as needed. While BMW saw a sales decline in Europe last year, it was lower than the regional average. BMW actually moved past FiatFiatItaly, 1899 > present159 models
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last year as the sixth-largest automaker in Europe. 

Reithofer is firmly behind BMW's plan to offer more pure electric vehicles, like when it launches its iBMW i3Germany, 2011 > present26 photos
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sub-brand later this year. Most other automakers have begun stepping away from EVs in favor of hybrids. He said EVs are showing themselves to be financially feasible in California and Shanghai. 

Source: Automotive News Europe