LEIPZIG: BMW is upgrading its Leipzig plant in eastern Germany, signalling that more electrified models will be rolling off from that factory.
The group is investing a further €200 million (RM998mil) in the plant. The building work will begin in early 2018 and include an extension of the paint shop and alternations in the bodyshop and assembly areas. The work is scheduled to finish in 2020, with the facilities being put to use immediately.
“This further development of the plant is an important move and means we will have the necessary competitive structures in place to continue building vehicles here in the future,” said plant director Hans-Peter Kemser.
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BMW workers assembling an i3.
BMW had announced in May that the electric MINI would be built at the plant in 2019 and a fully electric X3 there in 2020. However, the “fully electric BMW iNEXT” will be produced at the Dingolfing plant in 2021. Dingolfing is where the 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 Series are being produced.
The central element of the Leipzig building works is the extension of the paint shop including the integration of the newest paint technologies, which BMW said will set new standards in efficiency and sustainability.
BMW cars for customers all over the world have been produced in Leipzig since 2005. More than 980 vehicles per day roll off the production lines. It produces the 1 and 2 Series, M2 Coupe, 2 Series Active Tourer, i3 and i8.
Green energy for the production of these cars is provided by four wind turbines on site.
