BMW plans to expand production capacity in the U.S.
German automaker BMW plans to invest $1.7 billion to expand its facilities for the production of electric cars. The funds will be used to transform the plant in the U.S., where it produces products for the domestic market.
1 billion dollars of the specified sum will be spent for the modernization of industrial capacities in Spartanburg. According to the corporation, 6 new models of electric cars will be produced at this plant by 2030, now 11 models including hybrids are made here. This facility plays an important strategic role. It should become a major center for the production of electric vehicles.
$700 million will be used to build the Woodruff production center. Batteries are expected to be assembled here and the staff will be 300 people. This is a new generation of batteries, which will be produced in 2 versions – 95 and 120 mm in height. Their volume is 20% higher than that of the current battery generation, and their range is increased by 30%. At the same time, the production cost of these products will be 59% lower than now. The company also intends to introduce a new battery production system, which will help reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 60%.
In addition, BMW made a deal with Envision AESC, a company from China. The partners plan to build a new plant in South Carolina in the United States. It will also produce batteries.
The German car manufacturer is increasing investments in the expansion of electric vehicles. At the same time, it is modernizing approaches in the production of cars with an internal combustion engine. BMW announced several years ago that it would abandon the manual transmission, but announced in the fall that production would continue until 2030. In this case, we are talking about the six-speed transmission, which is featured in the M-Series cars.
According to the representatives of the automaker, their attitude to manual transmission has not changed. The company believes that this variant of control has long been outdated, but there are many fans of mechanics, with whose interests the manufacturer must reckon. That is why it will be available in a number of car models. However, the company’s specialists note that the new version of the automatic transmission works much more efficiently and allows you to use the powerful engine to its full potential.
In addition to this, the production of gasoline engines with 6 cylinders will be extended until 2030. After the marked date, the company promises to completely switch to the production of electric cars. At the moment, the manufacturer has already introduced several fully electrified models, including the BMW i7 sedan.
