The ABB FIA Formula E Championship, of which India's Mahindra Racing has been a mainstay since the inaugural championship, is now drawing component and technology suppliers. Magna International is the latest to enter the the championship, which is the only racing series to use all-electric vehicles and takes technology to the streets in cities around the world, some of which are facing complex mobility challenges.

Cities around the world increasingly recognize the significance of autonomy, electrification and mobility services to the future of how people live, work and move around in urban centers.  As part of Magna's commitment to helping shape future mobility, the company announced today it will join BMW i Andretti Motorsport as a primary partner for their Formula E team. 

Magna says its involvement in Formula E marks the most significant engagement with a motorsports team in the company's history. The rationale is to serve as a real-world opportunity to make a difference.

"Working with BMW i Andretti Motorsport on Formula E is a great fit and one of the many opportunities we are taking advantage of to help ensure we are building the right foundation for the new mobility landscape," said Swamy Kotagiri, Magna's CTO. "Formula E is already demonstrating how exciting, thrilling and fascinating electromobility can be."

Formula E provides a powerful platform to advance Magna's engagement with startups, city leaders, universities and consumers in city centers. In conjunction with the race schedule, Magna will engage with a broad range of leaders about each city's specific mobility challenges. Paired with existing research, these first-hand conversations will inform future development and collaboration on mobility solutions.

Pieter Nota, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Sales and Brand BMW, said: "BMW stands for innovation leadership and we are pioneers when it comes to electromobility. As ‘Official Vehicle Partner', we've been involved with Formula E from the start, in order actively to help shape the series. BMW i and Formula E share the same values: pioneering spirit and innovation. We are looking forward to the new season, together with Magna."

Season 5 begins with a race in Saudi Arabia on December 15, 2018, and runs through July 2019 with stops in Hong Kong, Paris and New York City, among other locations around the world.