BMW plans to double its U.S. production capacity for lithium ion battery packs at its U.S. factory to support electric vehicle output at its largest global plant.
The new, higher performing, fourth-generation batteries will be assembled on-site for the BMW X5 and BMW X3 plug-in hybrid electric variants. The 2020 BMW X5 xDrive45e Sports Activity Vehicle will begin production in Spartanburg, SC, on August 1. Start of production of the BMW X3 xDrive30e will begin in December. With the expansion of the battery facility at Plant Spartanburg in the U.S., the BMW Group is following the principle of local value creation.
“We have invested approximately $10 million USD to install a new battery assembly line and expanded the area to 86,000 square feet. This means we could double the number of batteries produced if needed to meet market demand,” explains Michael Nikolaides, senior vice president engines and electrified drivetrains, BMW Group.
The $10 million investment comes as BMW embarks on an ambitious plan to launch 25 electrified vehicles — nearly half of which will be full electric — by 2023.
BMW said the additional capacity required it to add an assembly line and expand its battery production area at its assembly plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, to more than 86,000 square feet.
More than 120 employees were specially trained to work the new line, having completed an extensive program in battery production, robotics and electrical inline quality inspection along with end-of-line testing. An additional 225 vehicle assembly workers received training in the production of electrified vehicles, adding to the Plant’s already skilled staff.
