BMW is rapidly advancing and adhering to the timeline for the introduction of the Neue Klasse automotive lineup in 2025. Throughout this week, the Munich-based automotive producer supplied the media with an unique behind-the-scenes glimpse into the preparations for the Neue Klasse. As detailed in our complete article on the plant, the corporate is committing a 650 million euros funding to combine the manufacturing of the Neue Klasse structure alongside the prevailing CLAR-based merchandise. By 2027, the Munich Plant is about to solely manufacture automobiles primarily based on the Neue Klasse structure, known as NCAR.

Milan Nedeljković, Member of the Board of Administration of BMW AG, Manufacturing, was current as properly and supplied to take some ad-hoc questions from media representatives. We requested the manufacturing boss in regards to the firm’s plans of bringing the Neue Klasse manufacturing to completely different vegetation, particularly mentioning San Luis Potosi. After all, we needed to study extra in regards to the potential challenges of getting two platforms (CLAR and NCAR) working inside a single manufacturing unit.

CLAR and NCAR On The Identical Manufacturing Line

“Identical to with the Gen 5 structure, we’ve arrange a goal technique to combine the excessive voltage battery into the structure,” Nedeljković informed us. “We are actually in a section of great development. And it’s a bit of bit an unpredictable development. It’s risky so you retain preserve most flexibility,” the manufacturing boss additional added. “For the Neue Klasse, we see that the quantity will considerably develop till then, and also you’re coming to a tipping level the place instantly you have got sufficient battery electrical automobiles in the marketplace and it is smart to take a position into it. Equally, [there is a ] new structure for battery electrical automobiles [Gen 6] and parallel to that we’ll have the opposite structure as properly. And that’s why all our vegetation worldwide will likely be able to working each in a single line.”

Moreover, Nedeljković says the corporate is ready to combine the Neue Klasse cluster into any plant worldwide so primarily there will likely be one manufacturing line able to constructing each CLAR-based merchandise (together with their electrical derivatives) and the Neue Klasse ones. “We are going to preserve all applied sciences, besides of the physique store,” he added. “After all, the physique store will likely be a unique one, however that’s the character of the physique store even for the prevailing architectural modifications.”

Pre-Charged Batteries and Vehicles

Different questions got here in across the transport of pre-charged battery cells and, in fact, pre-charged automobiles. “So, kind of, we’ll obtain the battery cells from suppliers. They’re pre-charged to a sure degree however not fully; you possibly can transport battery cells as particular person items,” Nedeljković stated. “As soon as they’re assembled right into a battery pack, flying them just isn’t allowed, however transportation continues to be doable.”

“We’ve got native manufacturing for our high-voltage battery pack. The cells will come to the manufacturing facility, and we’ll assemble the battery pack. In Germany, now we have three vegetation shut to one another—Munich, Regensburg, and Dingolfing. We are going to set up a hub for battery manufacturing in a small village between the three websites. From there, we’ll distribute the battery packs to the three vegetation. On different websites worldwide, the place now we have the house and functionality, we plan to arrange battery manufacturing subsequent to the meeting system, offering batteries on to the manufacturing line. Because the battery cells are pre-charged, it’s ample for the manufacturing course of.”

Improved Effectivity In Manufacturing

BMW extensively mentioned the effectivity and simplification of the manufacturing course of with Neue Klasse throughout the occasion. Nonetheless, a journalist sought clarification on what this implies in easier phrases. Moreover, the journalist inquired about how this effectivity compares to Debrecen in Hungary, particularly when it comes to beginning with a greenfield and the degrees of effectivity related to initiating new manufacturing in a greenfield setting.

“Our strategic objective with the Neue Klasse is to attain a 25% discount in manufacturing prices for automobiles,” the manufacturing chief informed us. “This goal is concentrated on the plant’s price range allotted throughout the automobiles produced, particularly emphasizing manufacturing prices reasonably than the general price of the automotive. The objective additionally features a 10-15% discount by 2019, chosen because the reference yr because of its stability earlier than COVID and semiconductor shortages. Reaching the 25% discount includes optimizing processes by way of digitalization, elevated automation, and higher modularization. When it comes to know-how, each Munich and Debrecen will use comparable applied sciences, with Munich introducing a brand new meeting line and profiting from the chance to include the newest know-how into the power. This ensures that each areas preserve up-to-date know-how ranges, making them comparable when it comes to effectivity and processes.”

BMW iX3 in Debrecen, i3 In Munich

Media representatives sought clarification on why the BMW iX3 is designated for manufacturing in Debrecen whereas the i3 is allotted to Munich. They questioned whether or not this resolution displays a historic connection of the basic sedan all the time being produced in Munich or whether it is merely a coincidence within the manufacturing roll-out. “”Someway, you already know, the three Collection is the product of Munich, and we may have a limousine as properly within the Neue Klasse, and it suits into the construction. There’s additionally a component of coincidence, nevertheless it’s additionally primarily based, kind of, on historic causes.”

How about incorporating flexibility into the Neue Klasse manufacturing line to accommodate applied sciences comparable to hydrogen gasoline cells, which BMW is at the moment testing? “Sure, it is going to be versatile for us,” Nedeljković informed us. “Hydrogen is an important various. That’s why now we have a small fleet of hydrogen automobiles and we’re working intensively on creating the know-how additional. And for us, hydrogen is among the principal or essential various to be thought of and that’s why we preserve the services versatile in the direction of hydrogen and different applied sciences.”

After all, there will likely be much more updates on the Munich and Debrecen plant as we strategy 2025, so we count on to study extra in regards to the iFactory and the way BMW will construction its Neue Klasse portfolio for the longer term.