BMW takes orders for hybrid cars in Japan

BMW Japan Corp. said it has begun to take orders for its German parent’s first gasoline-electric hybrid cars with delivery planned to start next summer. Available for ordering are the BMW Active Hybrid 7 and 7L of the flagship BMW 7 series. The BMW hybrids raise fuel efficiency by 15% from the level for its BMW 750i by combining a 4.4-liter V-shaped eight-cylinder engine with an electric motor and a lithium-ion battery. They feature an idling-stop system that automatically stops the engine when the car comes to a halt, to help prevent unnecessary fuel consumption. (October 29, 2009)