BMW urges online integrity, responsibility at internet forum

German premium auto manufacturer BMW called for online integrity and responsibility at the 2025 China Internet Civilization Conference, as the first major foreign carmaker to participate in the event held in Hefei, Anhui province from Tuesday to Wednesday.

"True innovation requires enduring responsibility, and sustainable technology must always serve the good," said Sean Green, president and CEO of BMW Group Region China.

"With over a century of heritage, we understand that the value of a company extends beyond commercial success—it must be built on accountability and trust. In promoting digital civility, we advocate for respect, integrity, and responsibility."

BMW was among the high-profile participants to deliver a keynote, underscoring the company's longstanding commitment to corporate social responsibility and digital ethics.

Li Yao, chief data governance officer of BMW Brilliance Automotive, emphasized that digital transformation and CSR are not mutually exclusive.

"BMW integrates internet ecosystems into the core of its social responsibility efforts," said Li.

According to a 2023 assessment by PwC, the company's CSR programs reached 35 million beneficiaries that year—a record figure for BMW in China.

Over the past three decades, BMW has engaged with key societal issues in China, positioning itself as a responsible corporate citizen and an advocate of healthy online culture.

The company has supported government-led initiatives such as the "Clear and Bright" campaign and encouraged industry-wide efforts to foster constructive digital communities.

BMW also reiterated its commitment to safety and responsible innovation, reaffirming that every new technology deployed must meet the highest standards of security and reliability.

The company's latest innovations are embodied in its forthcoming Neue Klasse platform, which represents a major leap in design, technology, and digital architecture for BMW. China-made Neue Klasse models are to hit the market in 2026.