BMW bets $300M on external AI startups as automakers abandon solo R&D

BMW's venture arm launched a $300 million fund targeting physical robotics, agentic AI systems, and manufacturing workflow automation. The move reflects a broader industry shift: major automakers now acquire external capabilities via equity stakes rather than build internally. Volkswagen, Figure AI partnerships, and Tekion funding rounds signal the same pattern. This echoes how mobile technology forced legacy industries to source innovation externally rather than rely on traditional supplier chains.