The dynamics of both the car industry and the global economy have started to shift, according to the head of sales at BMW, who said growth in China and the U.S. was coming, amid a challenging emerging market environment.
Speaking from the International Motor Show in Frankfurt, BMW's Ian Robertson also said that Europe's economic decline had come to an end.
"What we're seeing is the European markets stabilizing at a lower level... but we're also seeing a lot of growth in China, we're seeing a lot of growth in the United States," Robertson told CNBC. "But in the emerging world, there are clearly some challenges again now, economically, from a currency point of view and so on."
(Read More: Why the UK's auto industry remains crisis free)
BMW
BMW i3
He added: "All in all, the dynamics of the car industry and the dynamics of the economic world are really beginning to shift from what we had even six months ago."
Robertson's comments came as BMW launched its electric i3 car at the motor show. The carmaker said it had designed the vehicle, which is made from carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic, to deliver "zero-emission driving".
"I think we're entering a new era," Robertson said. "This car is the first car to come to market that is designed for purpose... At the end of the day, this is a position where we see a new market developing."
(Read more: The cheapest—and most expensive—cars to drive)
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