Bayerische Motoren Werke (Bavarian Engine Factory, or BMW) will no longer produce internal combustion engines in its native Germany. A significant moment in the history of BMW and one that reflects the changes that the automotive industry is going through, increasingly focused on electric mobility.
It is in Munich (which is also the headquarters of BMW) that we will see the biggest changes. Four, six, eight and 12 cylinder internal combustion engines are currently produced there, but their production will be phased out progressively until 2024.
However, as the production of internal combustion engines is still a necessity, their production will be transferred to its factories in England and Austria.
His majesty's kingdom will host the production of eight and 12-cylinder engines at the factory in Hams Hall, which already produces three and four-cylinder engines there for the MINI and BMW, since it began operating in 2001. In Steyr, at Austria is home to BMW's largest factory for the production of internal combustion engines, which began operating in 1980, and will be in charge of producing both four- and six-cylinder engines, both gasoline and diesel — a task it already performed, runs and, as we see, will continue to run.
And in Munich? What will be done there?
The facilities in Munich will be the target of an investment of 400 million euros until 2026 to be able to produce (more) electric vehicles. It is BMW's intention that as early as 2022 all its German factories will produce at least one 100% electric model.
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In addition to Munich, the manufacturer's manufacturing facilities in Dingolfing and Regensburg (Regensburg) located in the region of Bavaria, Germany, will also receive investments in the same direction of absorbing more and more the production of electric vehicles.
Munich will produce the new BMW i4 as of 2021, while in Dingolfing the 100% electric variants of the 5 Series and 7 Series will be produced, renamed the i5 and i7. In Regensburg, a new 100% electric X1 (iX1) will be produced from 2022, as well as battery modules — a task that it will share with the factory in Leipzig, also in Germany.
Speaking of Leipzig, where the BMW i3 is currently produced, it will also be responsible for producing the next generation of the MINI Countryman, both with internal combustion engines and in its 100% electric variant.
Source: Automotive News Europe, Auto Motor und Sport.