BMW to invest $561 million in Leipzig for Megacity EV production
BMW Group announced today that it is expanding its plant in Leipzig to make it the first location in Germany to hold large-scale production of electric-vehicles. Up until 2013, BMW will invest €400 million ($561 million USD) in new buildings and machinery for the production of the Megacity Vehicle, which will enter production in 2013.
“By producing the Megacity Vehicle in Germany the BMW Group is demonstrating a clear commitment to Germany as a high-tech location. With this vehicle we are revolutionising automotive design and production, and offering our customers the first purpose-built electric vehicle for urban areas. This will be the world”s first volume-produced car with a passenger compartment made from lightweight CFRP, as less weight enables a longer range,” said Dr Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG. “We made a conscious decision to produce the car in Germany, at our plant in Leipzig ““ our newest and most cutting-edge facility with the most flexible structures,” he added.
Click here for more news on the BMW Megacity Vehicle.
Including BMW’s joint venture with SGL Group to manufacture carbon fiber components for the Megacity Vehicle in Wackersdorf and Moses Lake (Washington state, USA), the German automaker is investing a total of €530 million ($744 USD) in the project.
BMW said that a total of over 1,000 jobs will be created as a result of the investment.
– By: Omar Rana
