The financial details of the transaction have not been disclosed.

The BMW Group and the SGL Group already operate the joint venture SGL Automotive Carbon Fibers. SGL Group holds 51% and BMW 49% of shares in the company and have built a new carbon fibre manufacturing plant in Moses Lake, Washington, USA.

The carbon fibres produced at Moses Lake will be used in CFRP body components for the BMW i3 and BMW i8.

The BMW i3, the company's first series-produced electric vehicle, will be launched on the market in 2013. The BMW i8 sports car will be introduced shortly afterwards.

“Lightweight construction will play an increasingly important role in the automobile industry in the future," states Friedrich Eichiner, member of the Board of Management, responsible for Finance, BMW.

"Our stake-holding in the SGL Group is a logical step that will further strengthen our successful cooperation.”