Electro-mobility role outlined as 100,000th BMW i3 produced

The 100,000th BMW i3 has rolled off the production line at the BMW Group’s Leipzig plant.

It has played a major part in making the group one of the most successful suppliers of electrified vehicles worldwide.

The company continues to build on that, showing a camouflaged prototype BMW i8 Roadster due to begin series production next year.

It was presented at the 100,000 milestone celebration by BMW AG management board chairman Harald Kruger and plant director Hans-Peter Kemser.

“The BMW i3 is the original, a true technological pioneer. With BMW i as our spearhead, we intend to remain the leading premium supplier of electro-mobility,” Kruger says.
Guest Saxony’s minister-president Stanislaw Tillich remains impressed with the Leipzig plant’s development.

Two days after his election he visited it for the new BMW press shop topping out ceremony, staying in contact regularly.
“The plant began building electric cars in 2013 and, by the end of my term of office, the Leipzig plant will have produced over 100,000 electric cars.”

Current daily production of the BMW i3 is more than 120 units, with an annual production volume in 2016 of 26,631 vehicles.

Production in Leipzig includes making carbon-fibre parts and painted plastic parts for outer skin panels, the BMW i body shop and BMW i assembly hall.

Series production of the BMW i8 started in May 2014 and 2783 BMW i8s were shipped from the plant in 2016. Production of the successful hybrid sports car stands at eight to ten vehicles daily.

More than 860 vehicles roll off the Leipzig assembly line daily from classic production. These are the BMW 1 Series five-door version, the BMW 2 Series coupe and convertible, the BMW 2 Series M coupe and the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer.

Total investment in Leipzig to date exceeds two billion euros and the plant employs more than 5300 permanent staff.