No wonder, then, that a dogged fight has broken out between BMW and the owner of arch-rival Audi, Volkswagen Group.
BMW got in there first, working closely with SGL's boffins to craft car bodies based on a mixture of SGL's carbon fibre technology and its own expertise in automotive design, aerodynamics and safety.
Mixed with its electric drive system technologies, developed inhouse and trialled in existing production models such as the electric Mini or the petrol-electric hybrid BMW 7-series, the result founded the basis for the creation of BMWi, a dedicated electric motoring division within the group.
Early concepts of BMWi vehicles were shown to journalists at small events towards the end of last year, with SGL presented as a partner in the SGL Automotive Fibre venture.
Within weeks, the cosy partnership was rocked by a surprise investment by Volkswagen, which bought an 8% stake in SGL in February, raising it to 10% soon afterwards.
The German multi-billionaire Susanne Klatten, a member of the Quandt family which owns just under 50% of BMW, responded by raising her stake in SGL from 22% to 30%, thus blocking any hopes VW might have had to influence the company's strategy.
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