BMW says it will soon open five new electric vehicle (EV) battery assembly plants, spanning three continents. The factories will be built in the following locations:
- South Carolina, USA
- The Lower Bavaria region in Germany
- Shenyang, China
- Debrecen, Hungary
- San Luis Potosi, Mexico
According to the automaker, the facilities will open alongside new auto plants manufacturing BMW’s Neue Klasse series of EVs, which will first roll off the assembly line 24 months after the start of production at each factory.
The Neue Klasse will be the first to incorporate the all-new cylindrical cells. These represent a technological step forward, offering improved energy density, charging times, and range. They will be assembled in new facilities located as close as possible to vehicle plants, in keeping with the company’s goal of “local for local.”
“Close connection of battery production with vehicle production is part of our strategy,” added Markus Fallböhmer, senior VP of Battery Production at BMW AG. This helps the BMW Group increase the resilience of its production. The idea is to limit the impact of any “unexpected political or economic events,” and reduce BMW’s carbon footprint throughout production.
The first battery plant is expected to open in Germany by the end of 2025, followed by Hungary in 2025, China and South Carolina in 2026, and finally in Mexico in 2027. Neue Klasse EV models will include a midsize SUV and a sedan.
Filed Under: Technology News