A significant extension of the BMW Leipzig Plant was officially announced on November 5, 2010 by Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel and BMW Chairman Dr. Norbert Reithofer. The extension will turn the plant into the first large batch production site in Germany for emission-free electric vehicles.
New buildings and facilities will be erected on the plant premises for the production of vehicles with alternative engines and innovative, carbon lightweight bodies. The BMW Group is going to invest about 400 million Euro, creating approximately 800 jobs.
The new facilities will be the birth place for BMW i3 and i8 Series. Both cars will be launched under the new sub brand BMW i, representing sustainable and visionary solutions for tomorrows individual mobility.
2010s
Starting a new era.
The BMW Leipzig Plant beat a magic mark on 9 December 2011: The one millionth BMW made in Leipzig rolled off the production line, celebrated by hundreds of associates, guests and representatives of the press.
Frank-Peter Arndt, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible for Production, thanked the whole team: "Producing one million cars in less than 7 years is an enormous achievement".
The anniversary car – a white BMW 1 Series 116d – was donated to Joblinge Leipzig. This charity initiative helps poorly qualified teens to find long-term employment or apprenticeships.
BMW breaks new ground in the serial production of electric vehicles. Four wind turbines (type Nordex N100/2500) for direct power supply were built on the plant premises of an automotive manufacturer in Germany for the first time.
The four wind turbines were put into operation in July 2013 with a capacity of 2.5 MW each and 26 GWh energy per year. The green power is conducted directly into the plant power supply and is used for the production of BMW i3 and i8 Series. Ultra lightweight carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFK) was used for the first time in large-scale production in the automotive industry.
A new era in automotive production began with the serial production of BMW i electric vehicles in Leipzig in September. The BMW i3 is the result of an integrated development approach for the reduction of fuel and emission in urban traffic. Ultra lightweight carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFK) was used for the first time in large-scale production in the automotive industry.
The serial production of the all new 2 Series Coupé started in September.
The production of the BMW i8 Series began in May 2014. The Plug-in-Hybrid uses BMW Drive technology and BMW Twin Power Turbo 1.5 liter 3 cylinder engine, therefore combining the advantages of traditional and electric drives. Fuel consumption and emissions are those of a compact car despite its sporty performance.
The serial production of the all new BMW 2 Series Active Tourer started in Juli. BMW has given the car a sophisticated front-wheel-drive system capable of delivering the degree of driver engagement expected of the brand’s models.
As a third modell the serial production of the all new BMW 2 Series Convertible started in November.
The press shop reached its full extension five years after its opening when another high speed press was put into operation. The now four high speed servo presses are the world's fastest and state-of-the-art facilities of their kind.
They process steel and aluminum in record time with up to 10,300 tons of total press capacity and up to 23 strokes per minute. The press plant also operates two coil facilities for the production of body parts. As a whole, the BMW Group invested 320 million Euro into the press shop and created more than 300 additional jobs.
The serial production of the all new M2 Coupé started in September.
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- 2015
2000s
A plant is growing up.
In 2000 the BMW Group decided to build a new plant.
In late summer 2001, the City of Leipzig started to prepare the terrain for the new Plant on behalf of the BMW Group, with the land being handed over in May 2002.
The ground-breaking ceremony took place on 7 May 2002 and was conducted by Gerhard Schröder, then Bundeskanzler, and Prof. Dr.-Ing. Joachim Milberg, then chairman of the BMW AG.
The laying of the cornerstone for the Central Building took place on 29 April 2003. A few days later, on 7 May 2003, the roofing ceremony took place.
On 1 March 2005, the BMW Leipzig Plant started with the production of cars after less than three years of construction time. The first car to roll off the production lines was a BMW 3 Series 320i.
The grand opening took place on 13 May 2005. Former Bundeskanzler Gerhard Schröder gave the signal for the opening of the plant.
The 100.000th BMW rolles off the production line.
Two years after the start of the serial production, the second type series was started in March 2007 with the BMW 1 Series. On 5 March the first BMW 1 Series rolled off the production lines.
The BMW 1Series Coupé and Convertible were added in September and December.
The integration of the new models took place while the production continued. The plant has been designed in such a way, that new models can be integrated without stopping the production.
About four years after the start of production the 500.000th BMW rolled off the production lines.
This anniversary took place during a difficult time. The global financial and economic crisis and the reluctance of customers made adaptations towards a one-shift production necessary.
Flexible working structures and working time accounts eased the decrease of production in Leipzig. With the upcoming start of production of the BMW X1 Series, the plant was able to return to its full two-shift production in June 2009.
A new press shop with an attached door and lid production was built in 2009. The BMW Group invested about 100 Million Euro and created more jobs in Leipzig.
The new press line produces sheet metal pieces for the BMW X1 and 1 Series.
The grand opening took place on 13 May 2005. Former Bundeskanzler Gerhard Schröder gave the signal for the opening of the plant.
- 2000
- 2001
- 2002
- 2003
- 2005
- 2006
- 2007
- 2009