Rayong, Thailand. After a joint ground-breaking ceremony with Milan Nedeljković, Board Member for Production, representatives of the Thai authorities and the German ambassador to Thailand Ernst Reichel, building work is underway for the BMW Group’s personal native manufacturing facility for Gen-5 high-voltage batteries. With that, the BMW Group is readying one more manufacturing facility to fabricate absolutely electrical automobiles, with native BEV manufacturing scheduled to start out within the second half of 2025.
“Local production of high-voltage batteries in Rayong is the next logical step in the continued electrification of our production network. Once again, the principle of ‘local for local’ applies, supporting economic development, employment opportunities and knowledge transfer in Thailand and the ASEAN region,” stated Milan Nedeljković, Board Member for Production at BMW AG, on the ground-breaking ceremony.
The forthcoming high-voltage battery meeting facility could have a footprint of 4,000 sq. metres and is a vital addition to the enterprise actions of BMW Group Manufacturing Thailand. The new meeting line will convert imported battery cells into modules that may then be built-in into high-voltage batteries. The BMW Group has invested greater than 1.6 billion baht (approx. 42 million euros) within the challenge, a major share of which – virtually 1.4 billion baht (approx. 36 million euros) – might be used to purchase state-of-the-art tools and methods.
The BMW Group has been producing high-voltage batteries in Thailand for regionally made plug-in hybrids since 2019. Plant Rayong manufactures round two dozen BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad fashions for the Thai in addition to numerous ASEAN markets. In 2023 output totalled greater than 12,000 automobiles and virtually 11,000 bikes.
Comprehensive coaching programme
Employees will bear complete coaching programmes, which might be delivered within the world manufacturing community with the intention of bettering the technical abilities of native employees by data switch. The funding in skilled coaching and improvement additionally underscores the BMW Group’s dedication to advancing the Thai financial system.
Joint training programme with UNICEF – additionally in Thailand
As nicely as growing its personal workforce, the BMW Group could be very a lot concerned in boosting trade in Thailand and the worldwide transition to mobility options that assist preserve assets. This yr it’s collaborating with UNICEF in Thailand to enhance profession alternatives for younger folks by a focused STEM training programme, coaching and careers recommendation.