The BMW headquarters in Munich ceases production of fuel-powered engines to make way for electric motors. Meanwhile, Audi’s main engine plant starts with new families of… electric engines.
Something that has been scheduled for years should not be news: The electric one will be the only solution for anyone who wants to sell in Europe. BMW already sells 15 percent electric, and has closed the emblematic engine plant at its headquarters in Munich. The production of combustion engines has been transferred to Austria and the United Kingdom. The conversion of said assembly area to electrical production could result in the new generation Neue Klasse.
It has been a year of changes in the BMW group, given that for the first time Mini has begun manufacturing in Germany, at its Leipzig plant. The i3 and i8 models were produced in Leipzig, which will figuratively pass the baton of electrification to the electric version of the Mini Countryman.
The Mini will be assembled interchangeably with other small BMW models, on the same line. It is also the first time that BMW combines production from both brands.
The new generation of Mini Countryman It will still be available with gasoline and diesel engines, but it will be the door to “the transformation of Mini into a 100 percent electric brand in 2030.” Its high-voltage batteries are also produced in Leipzig.
Three families of electric motors in Hungary
On the same dates, Audi released a statement informing that its Györ plant, in Hungary (which they classify as the largest engine manufacturing plant in the world), has begun to produce electric motors for the future PPE platform. PPE is the basis for premium cars from Volkswagen, for Audi and for Porsche, the first fruits of which will be the imminent Audi Q6 e-tron and the next generation of Porsche Macan. The characteristics (such as power) of the electric motors that Audi and Porsche will use will be different, although both will come from Györ.
Audi already produced the electric drive Audi Q8 e-tron (J1 platform) and its three new lines highlight great vertical integration, with less dependence on external suppliers. Working in three shifts with 700 employees, the plant has capacity to produce 2,000 engines per day. In parallel, they are preparing for the production of electric motors for the MEBeco platform (MEB is the current basis for VW’s electric models and small Audi models).
The future Cupra Terramar will be produced in Györ, and since last year they have been manufacturing complex body panels for Bentley and Lamborghini, as well as Audi.
