This week saw the first-ever BMW i4 leave the assembly line. BMW is excited to see the all-electric i4 reach completion at the nearly 100-year-old Munich facility. BMW intends to electrify half of its models at the Munich facility, so its manufacturing also ushers in the brand’s future.
BMW took considerable care to set up the nearly 100-year-old facility for the production of a fully electric vehicle. Particularly when you take into account the fact that the Munich facility also needs to keep producing internal combustion engines. The BMW 3 Series, 4 Series Gran Coupe, and even the BMW M3 are available with the i4.
The electric motor and high-voltage battery are the major features that set the BMW i4 apart from traditional architectures. In the Munich bodyshop, about 90% of the current systems are still functional for the new model. Only the floor assembly and the back end needed additional ones.
The integration of the high-voltage battery into assembly was another subject with a lot of complexity. An entirely new, completely automated battery assembly system that operates from underneath now bolts the battery pack to the body. Fully automated, high-resolution camera systems examine the surface in advance to make sure it is flawless and free of any pollutants that could harm the product.
A $200 million expenditure was required to integrate the BMW i4 into current production methods. The i4, which will debut in Munich and other factories in the middle of this decade and is only intended for electric powertrains, is a significant pioneer for the Neue Klasse.
The creation of the new electric four-door coupe is shown in the video that follows as it takes us behind the scenes.
In This Article...
The conventional and plug-in variants will be built alongside the all-electric i4.
The brand-new, all-electric BMW i4 will begin shipping from BMW’s Plant Munich in Germany as of today.
The business manufactures a variety of vehicles at the facility, including the BMW M3, the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe, and the combustion- and plug-in hybrid BMW 3 Series Sedan and Touring.
At the nearly 100-year-old facility, producing all drive variations on a single assembly line calls for a lot of flexibility and integration into current production structures, which comes at a cost of EUR200 million. Only time will tell how the BMW Group’s strategy will turn out in the long run.
Currently, the business acknowledges that it was difficult:
The conversion and installation of equipment to set up production of the completely electric BMW i4 inside the limitations of the nearly 100-year-old factory proved particularly difficult, but we were able to do so without pausing production. Our partners and the team did a fantastic job, “Peter Weber, the director of the Munich BMW Group Plant, was added. Despite the limited space available, new systems were scaled up while old ones were removed. “Our body shop is a model of clever, effective integration. The majority of the new production procedures for the BMW i4 can be completed using the bodyshop’s current systems.
According to BMW, the electric powertrain and high-voltage battery are the primary differences between the BMW i4 and traditional architectures, while 90% of current systems are common.
“In the Munich bodyshop, about 90% of the current systems are still functional for the new model. Only the floor assembly and the back end needed additional ones.”
“The integration of the high-voltage battery into assembly was another subject with a lot of complexity. An entirely new, completely automated battery assembly system that operates from underneath now bolts the battery pack to the body. Fully automated, high-resolution camera systems examine the surface in advance to make sure it is flawless and free of any pollutants that could harm the product.”
The automaker projects that by 2023, at least half of all vehicles produced at the Munich plant will be electric.
BMW AG Board Member for Production Milan Nedeljkovic stated:
“The introduction of the BMW i4 is a turning point for the factory and its staff in the transition to electric mobility. More than half of all vehicles produced at our Munich site will be electric-powered by 2023. Most will be entirely electric. Munich switches entirely to electricity.”
At the Munich Plant, the BMW i4 is constructed in this manner.
Right, but we all knew the information was already quite dated. Three months later, BMW decided to arrange more shifts (how far along are we on that?). and is there still a lack of specific components and chips, despite the fact that I have previously spoken to five different dealerships here in Belgium, none of which are from the same branch. I get in the car whenever I see a BMW dealer and pretend to be interested in an i4. The i4 is unaffected by the chip’s inadequacies, according to all 5 of them. Similar to the iX, they are given precedence over all other models.
For the automaker, this is a big step toward electrification.
The first BMW i4 in serial production has officially left the BMW Group Plant in Munich. The manufacturer now produces all drive versions on a single assembly line at its home factory, which is already over 100 years old. It goes without saying that this marks an important manufacturing and production milestone in BMW’s electrification journey.
According to Milan Nedeljkovic, production board member for BMW AG, “the launch of the BMW i4 marks a milestone for the plant and team on the road to electric mobility.” “More than half of all vehicles produced at our Munich site will be electric-powered by 2023. Most will be entirely electric. Munich switches entirely to electricity.”
The BMW i4 is produced where?
This week saw the first-ever BMW i4 leave the assembly line. Seeing the all-electric i4 at the nearly 100-year-old Munich facility was impressive.
Are BMW i4 models sold in the US?
According to a Consumer Reports study, fuel costs are about 60% lower for EV users than for drivers of gas-powered vehicles. According to CNBC, the entire cost of a gas-powered automobile would be $94,540 over the course of its 200,000-mile lifespan, whereas the cost of an equivalent EV would be $90,160.
Where are BMW’s electric models made?
In the fall of 2021, the first all-electric i4 was constructed, kicking off the brand’s plans to electrify half of the vehicles made in Munich. Due to its age, BMW’s Munich facility had to undergo a number of alterations in order to produce electric vehicles alongside internal combustion engines.
What is the turnaround time for a BMW i4?
With a heavy emphasis on electric vehicles, BMW’s new 15 billion yuan ($2.2 billion) facility in Shenyang, China, has formally opened. In China, the largest market for electric vehicles in the world, where domestic rivals like the BYD company backed by Warren Buffett and American rival Tesla dominate sales, BMW has some catching up to do.
If a BMW is built in Germany, how can you tell?
System that combines heating and cooling with a heat pump. Along with its high-voltage battery and a motor system that uses an incredibly efficient heat pump function, the BMW i4 comes standard with an integrated heating and cooling system for the cabin.
Where are BMW vehicles produced?
BMW experienced difficulties as well, closing its Oxford, England, facility for Mini as well as factories in Munich and Dingolfing, Germany. The biggest problem? Wiring devices
What models of BMW are produced in Munich?
The BMW iX SUV debuted in late 2020, after the competition had already been updated, while the BMW i4 wasn’t introduced until midway through 2021. The 2023 BMW i4, the brand’s first electric gran coupe, is detailed below.
How many pre-orders for BMW i4 have there been?
Battery Life, Charging, and Range According to BMW, the single-motor, rear-drive i4 eDrive40 can go up to 300 miles on a full battery.
Are the German BMW factories still open?
Checking your BMW’s VIN is the most reliable approach to determine where it was manufactured (VIN). Your BMW was probably constructed in Germany if the number starts with a W or includes a B in the second spot, while a 5 followed by a U or a Y indicates that it was made in the United States.
How long does a battery in a BMW i4 last?
BMW 4 Series vehicles are also made at the BMW Group Munich Plant. However, Munich is the only place where the BMW 3 Series Touring, BMW 4 Series Coupe, and M4 Coupe are produced.
How quickly can a BMW i4 be charged?
BMW is produced in five separate nations. BMW has production plants in Germany, Mexico, China, South Africa, and the United States.
Does the BMW i4 have a charger?
With up to 205 kW of charging power, you can quickly charge your BMW i4 while you’re on the go from a 10 to 80% charge. Alternately, you may recharge for a 164 km range in just 10 minutes. The BMW Wallbox recharges the BMW i4’s battery at home in just 8.25 hours, returning it to 100%.
Has the BMW i4 a heat pump?
Which discounts is the i4 eligible for? In addition to various state incentives like rebates, tax credits, and grants, owning the first-ever BMW i4 may entitle you to a federal tax credit of up to $7,500.
How can I purchase an i4?
BMW revealed the 2023 i4 eDrive35 on Monday. When it comes to the US in the first quarter of 2023, the EV will start at $52,395 – with a $995 destination fee included. BMW’s i4 line’s base model, the eDrive35, has a smaller battery and a weaker motor than its eDrive40 and M50 stablemates.
Can I cancel my order for a BMW?
- Select “Order” from the menu.
- i4: Select the i4 eDrive40 or i4 M50 model version and add it to your shopping cart.
- Check out after selecting your preferred payment method. The order fee may be reimbursed. Yes, the $1,500 order charge is entirely refundable.
Do electric cars merit the expense?
The largest open DC Fast Charging network in the US is called Electrify America. Free 30-minute charging sessions for your i4 at Electrify America outlets are available for two years. anywhere charging is convenient. The Flexible Fast Charger is included with every BMW i4 as standard.