MUNICH: BMW says its Munich plant is ready to produce fully electric BMW i4.
After six weeks of intensive conversion work, series production of vehicles has resumed, with around 5,000 workers returning to the line.
“Our plant can now manufacture the fully electric i4 on the same line as diesel-, petrol- and hybrid-powered vehicles,” said plant director Robert Engelhorn.
The entire development and conversion of the plant came at an investment of around €200 million (RM982mil). Some €700 million (RM3.4bil) had already been invested between 2015 and 2018 to install a new, resource-efficient paintshop and extend the bodyshop for production of the 3 Series.
During the conversion of plant over recent weeks, the focus was on integrating the i4 into existing production systems. But systems and processes were also prepared for series production of the M3, which will be manufactured on the same line as well.
The bodyshop is a shining example of smart, efficient integration, as the majority of production processes for the i4 can be carried out on existing bodyshop systems.
Additional systems were required merely for the floor assembly and rear section of the i4, as the electric drive and high-voltage battery mean these are quite different from conventional architectures.
The 550-kg battery pack will be fitted to the body by a new, fully automated battery assembly system, which uses camera systems to check automatically if the battery pack is positioned correctly on the line. The battery pack is also transported to the line and bolted to the body fully automatically.
A new electric overhead conveyor has also been installed for i4 production, along with stronger conveyors in the vehicle finish area. “This has been the most comprehensive overhaul of assembly in the history of Plant Munich,” said Engelhorn.
As the number of driver assistance systems, safety equipment and connectivity features steadily increases, function-testing of the various in-car innovations and technologies during production has become more complex.
To meet the ever tougher quality requirements, the plant is making greater use of digitally connected production and testing systems. Complex logistics and production processes are also supported by myriad digitalisation solutions and interconnected smart systems.
Established back in 1922, the BMW Group’s home plant is now set to deliver a wide-ranging product portfolio that includes not only the i4 but also the combustion- and hybrid-powered 3 Series Sedan and 3 Series Touring, and the new M3.
