Tag Archives: milestones

BMW

Leipzig loves MINI: BMW Group Plant Leipzig celebrates production launch of MINI Countryman

Leipzig. The MINI Countryman production launch is a significant event, as it is the first MINI to be manufactured in Germany. It will share the production line with the BMW 1 Series and 2 Series, offering combustion-powered, plug-in hybrid, and fully electric options.

The special event celebrating the launch of the MINI Countryman brought together important figures such as BMW AG Board Member for Production, Milan Nedeljković; the Minister President of Saxony, Michael Kretschmer; the head of the MINI brand, Stefanie Wurst; Mayor and Alderman for Business, Work and Digital Affairs, Clemens Schülke; as well as guests from politics, media, and plant employees. The production lines were stopped for almost 45 minutes so that everyone in the plant could witness the live broadcast of the celebration.

The production of the largest MINI model to date is a significant step forward for the future of BMW Group Plant Leipzig. An investment of around €700 million has been made since 2018 to increase capacity and enable the production of the MINI Countryman. Additionally, the third generation of the vehicle will also be available with a fully electric drive. Plant Director Petra Peterhänsel stated, “Leipzig remains electrified.”

Nedeljković stressed the importance of skill and flexibility in the transformation process and highlighted the role of Plant Leipzig in advancing change. He mentioned that all BMW Group plants are capable of producing different models with different drives on a single production line, but what makes Plant Leipzig special is its flexible production system being used for multiple brands for the first time.

Michael Kretschmer, Minister President of Saxony, emphasized the significance of the BMW Group plant in Leipzig for the region and the federal state. He stated, “The BMW site in Leipzig is a success story of modern industrial production and the launch of the MINI Countryman reaffirms the company’s commitment to ‘Autoland’ Saxony.”

Clemens Schülke, Mayor and Alderman for Business, Work and Digital Affairs of the city of Leipzig, expressed his positivity about the event and the impact of the MINI Countryman being produced in Leipzig, calling it a genuine success story.

Stefanie Wurst, head of MINI, discussed the characteristics of the new MINI Countryman, emphasizing its environmental credentials and versatile, powerful, and efficient drives.

Plant Director Petra Peterhänsel highlighted the historical importance of the MINI Countryman for the future of Plant Leipzig, stating that the plant’s headcount will increase by over 1,000 by the end of 2024 as the production of the MINI Countryman ramps up.

Works Council Chairman Jens Köhler spoke about the importance of the plant in Leipzig for the production network and expressed gratitude to the BMW Group for their trust.

The event was hosted by the radio and television presenter Roman Knoblauch, and in addition to the MINI Countryman, a digital friend named Spike was introduced as the Intelligent Personal Assistant to support drivers of the new MINI model family.

MINI Countryman SE ALL4 (combined electricity consumption: 18.5 – 17.0 kWh/100 km according to WLTP; combined CO2 emissions: 0 g/km).

MINI Countryman with combustion engine (combined fuel consumption according to WLTP: 8.3 – 4.8 l/100 km, combined CO2 emissions: 188 – 125 g/km)

*All technical data is provisional.

BMW

One line – two brands – three drives: BMW Group Plant Leipzig launches production of the MINI Countryman

Leipzig. The BMW Group Plant Leipzig has achieved significant milestones as it commences the production of the MINI Countryman. This marks the first time a MINI model is being manufactured in Germany, alongside the BMW 1 Series and 2 Series, demonstrating the plant’s flexibility and adaptability. The BMW Group has invested €700 million over the past five years in preparing the plant for increased production and MINI-specific requirements. The workforce in production is expected to increase by over 900 by the end of 2024. The new MINI Countryman also drives innovations towards sustainable production.

“By launching production of the MINI Countryman here in Leipzig, we are introducing multibrand operations to our flexible production system,” explained Milan Nedeljković, Board Member for Production. “Plant Leipzig also offers a number of highlights in terms of resource conservation in production, providing further evidence of the successful rollout of our long-term masterplan: the BMW iFACTORY.”

Seamless integration through flexible structures 

The BMW Group is leveraging the flexibility of Plant Leipzig to seamlessly integrate the production of the new MINI Countryman alongside the BMW 1 Series, BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé, and BMW 2 Series Active Tourer. The plant’s flexible assembly structures enable the production of two brands with three different drives – combustion, plug-in-hybrid, and fully electric – all on the same production line. The third-generation MINI Countryman will be available with a petrol, diesel, or fully electric powertrain, with the high-voltage batteries for the MINI Countryman Electric also being made in Leipzig, and it’s scheduled to reach dealerships on 17 February 2024.

Investments and recruitment to increase production volume

The BMW Group has made substantial investments in Leipzig to ramp up production volume for new models. This includes expansions and upgrades to the bodyshop, paintshop, assembly, and logistics. Production capacity has been increased from 250,000 units previously to up to 350,000 units a year at present. The investment of around €200 million to adapt the production system to MINI-specific requirements is expected to result in a production capacity of 500 MINI Countryman cars a day during the course of next year, creating up to 900 new jobs in vehicle production alone.

Electromobility and MINI production drive development

Plant Leipzig is transitioning to electromobility, with plans to produce the next fully electric car, the MINI Countryman Electric, and manufacture high-voltage batteries in-house. The plant will run the entire production process for the current fifth generation of high-voltage batteries, with capacity for e-component production increasing since 2021. This makes Plant Leipzig an important supplier across the BMW production network, and it currently employs over 800 people in e-component production, with plans to further develop and invest in this area.

Sustainable materials and production 

The MINI Countryman Electric reflects the MINI brand’s responsible approach to materials and production, with innovations in sustainability. The model features a range of sustainable materials, including the use of recycled textiles in the interior, reducing CO2 emissions along the value chain and requiring less water to manufacture. The model also incorporates a new, resource-friendly painting method for the contrast roof, known as overspray-free painting, which contributes to saving CO2 emissions and energy.

Plant Leipzig – Built for sustainability

Plant Leipzig has a strong focus on efficient processes and a long-term strategy for energy generation and consumption. The plant has four wind turbines that generate electricity, delivering approximately 25 GWh/year, and a battery storage farm equipped with up to 700 second-life high-voltage batteries from BMW i3 vehicles. There are also plans to decarbonize production by replacing fossil fuels with green hydrogen, with a regional hydrogen grid in the works, from which Plant Leipzig is set to benefit.

MINI Countryman SE ALL4 (combined electricity consumption: 18.5 – 17.0 kWh/100 km according to WLTP; combined CO2 emissions: 0 g/km).

MINI Countryman with combustion engine (combined fuel consumption according to WLTP: 8.3 – 4.8 l/100 km, combined CO2 emissions: 188 – 125 g/km)

*All technical data is provisional.