In a commitment to e-component production and the future of Plant Leipzig, the BMW Group has signed a leasehold contract for land adjacent to the existing facility on the northern industrial estate. The plot covers a total area of 12 hectares, with the first stage of construction taking up eight hectares. The initial phase will involve the construction of a logistics hall for fifth-generation high-voltage batteries and an office building. The completion of these buildings is expected by mid-2024.
To mark the beginning of the construction of the new Supply Centre North, the Plant Director, Works Council Chairman, Head of Production for High-Voltage Batteries, Mayor and Alderman for Business, Labour and Digital in the City of Leipzig, and the Director of the Office for Economic Development of the City of Leipzig participated in the symbolic turning of the first sod.
The Mayor of Leipzig, Clemens Schülke, expressed his enthusiasm for the development, highlighting the eco-friendly nature of the expansion and its significance for Leipzig as a base for electromobility. Plant Director Petra Peterhänsel emphasized the importance of the transition to electromobility for the plant’s growth, noting its role as a pioneer in electromobility through the production of the BMW i3 and the upcoming launch of the MINI Countryman.
The first phase of construction will include the creation of a warehouse, a two-storey office building, and a loading tunnel with a combined gross area of 38,000 m2. Furthermore, there are plans for a second construction phase, bringing the total investment to around 100 million euros. Once all construction is complete, the Supply Centre North will provide jobs for approximately 500 employees.
With a goal of having at least one in three new cars fully electric by 2026, the BMW Group anticipates an increased need for high-voltage batteries. Plant Leipzig is already a vital supplier of e-components for the production network, providing one in three battery modules for the BMW Group’s fully electric vehicles, including the BMW iX1, BMW i5, and BMW iX. The new logistics centre at Plant Leipzig will further strengthen its role by being equipped to handle high-voltage components.
When planning the logistics hall, the team prioritized stringent environmental standards that go beyond legal requirements. The buildings will be powered by renewable energy sources, such as photovoltaic systems on the roof of the hall and a heat pump for heating. The office building will have a green roof, and strategic placement of trees on the façade will help regulate indoor temperatures. The outside space will be landscaped with thousands of new shrubs and trees, contributing to the green surroundings of the plant. Insect-friendly lighting will illuminate the outdoor areas, and electric charging points for cars and trucks will be installed in the parking spaces.
E-component production is a driving force behind the expansion of Plant Leipzig, with measures in place to protect existing jobs and create new ones. Currently, over 800 employees work in e-component production in Leipzig, and this number is expected to grow to over 1,000 by 2024. Additionally, more jobs will be created through service providers.
Starting from next year, BMW Plant Leipzig will oversee all three stages of high-voltage battery production: cell coating, module production, and high-voltage battery assembly. The capacity for e-component production has been steadily increasing, with battery cells currently being coated and assembled into modules at the plant. One in three battery modules for BMW Group’s fully electric vehicles already comes from Leipzig, and a battery assembly system is under construction and set to begin operations early next year. The BMW Group is investing up to 1 billion euros in expanding e-component production at Leipzig.
In 2024, Plant Leipzig will launch its next fully electric model, the new MINI Countryman, following the discontinuation of BMW i3 production. The MINI Countryman will offer a choice of combustion engines or a fully electric drive, with the high-voltage batteries for the latter being manufactured directly in Plant Leipzig’s workshops.