(JW Insights) Aug 18 -- BMW is to launch five new energy vehicle models at the Chengdu motor show that is scheduled to kick off on August 25, China Daily reported on August 18.

The event, which will run through September 3, will feature around 1,600 gasoline models and NEVs from 129 automotive brands from countries including China, the United States, Germany and Japan.

BMW said it will launch two electric models at the motor show: the compact iX1 and the large-sized i7 M70L. There will be three plug-in hybrids, which are the M760Le, the XM Label Red limited edition, and the XM 50e.

The carmaker said its electric i5 will hit the market later this year to further increase its EV lineup in the country, reported China Daily.

"We will have 11 electric models available in China this year, covering almost all segments," said the carmaker.

BMW sold around 45,000 electric vehicles in China in the first half of the year, up 283 percent year-on-year, ranking first among premium brands in the country, said the China Daily report.

(Yuan XY/Li PP)