BMW Group is significantly expanding its production network for the next generation of high-voltage batteries, which will power the upcoming Neue Klasse vehicles. Milan Nedeljković, Board Member for Production at BMW AG, announced the establishment of five new facilities across three continents to meet the growing demand for these advanced batteries.
Key Developments:
- Global Production Facilities: New assembly plants for the sixth-generation high-voltage batteries are under construction in Irlbach-Straßkirchen (Germany), Debrecen (Hungary), Woodruff (USA), Shenyang (China), and San Luis Potosí (Mexico). These facilities are strategically located to align with the “local for local” principle, ensuring proximity to vehicle production sites and reducing carbon footprints.
- Debrecen Plant Launch: The BMW Group’s new plant in Debrecen will be the first to produce the Neue Klasse vehicles, with high-voltage battery and vehicle manufacturing beginning in parallel in 2025. Preparations are in full swing, with the training and communications centers already operational and final construction phases underway.
- Irlbach-Straßkirchen: In Lower Bavaria, the new high-voltage battery facility is set to supply the German car plants with cutting-edge batteries. The facility’s construction commenced with the first pillar erected in June 2024, and is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
- Shenyang Expansion: BMW Brilliance Automotive in Shenyang, China, will begin producing the Neue Klasse vehicles in 2026. The production hall, completed in November 2023, is equipped and ready for the new batteries, supported by a comprehensive R&D network in China.
- San Luis Potosí: The new plant in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, will start producing Neue Klasse vehicles and high-voltage batteries in 2027. This facility will feature an expanded bodyshop and enhanced photovoltaic systems to meet future electricity needs.
- Woodruff Plant: Located in South Carolina, BMW Group Plant Woodruff will create over 300 new jobs and produce high-voltage batteries for Plant Spartanburg’s electric vehicles. Construction is progressing, with the first building, a training center, already underway.
Local Expertise and Innovation:
- Parsdorf and Munich: The BMW Group’s Cell Manufacturing Competence Centre (CMCC) in Parsdorf and the Battery Cell Competence Centre (BCCC) in Munich are at the forefront of developing prototype battery cells for the Neue Klasse. These centers play a critical role in scaling up new battery technologies and ensuring high-quality production standards.
The BMW Group’s expanded production network underscores its commitment to leading in electromobility and responding to the increasing demand for electric vehicles. With these new facilities, the company is set to enhance the resilience of its production and further its sustainability goals.
