BMW Group will start sequence manufacturing of its new iX3 EV in late October at its newly constructed plant in Debrecen, Hungary, marking the beginning of manufacturing for the primary mannequin within the firm’s Neue Klasse lineup.
The Debrecen facility represents BMW’s iFactory imaginative and prescient, designed as a digital-first manufacturing plant that operates with out fossil fuels. “The beginning of sequence manufacturing for the BMW iX3 alerts a brand new period of automotive manufacturing,” mentioned Milan Nedeljković, BMW AG board member accountable for manufacturing. “Our new plant in Debrecen has been designed and constructed totally consistent with our strategic imaginative and prescient of the iFactory.”
The plant was developed utilizing digital planning from the outset, with digital manufacturing starting in March 2023 in BMW’s Digital Manufacturing unit system. This method allowed engineers to check operations digitally earlier than putting in manufacturing strains within the bodily buildings, matching their digital twin specs.
Manufacturing of the iX3 will generate roughly 80kg of CO2 emissions per car, representing a two-thirds discount in comparison with present BMW fashions. The Debrecen plant alone will produce round 90% fewer emissions per car in comparison with different BMW services, producing about 34kg of CO2 emissions when working at full capability.
“We’ve taken on the problem of constructing a totally new car as the primary job at a wholly new plant – and doing so within the leanest, most effective approach potential,” mentioned Hans-Peter Kemser, head of BMW Group Plant Debrecen. “We’ve simplified processes, diminished complexity, digitally validated every particular person operation and systematically leveraged experience throughout our world community. The result’s this plant, with its environment friendly manufacturing, progressive processes and the flexibleness to combine extra fashions.”
The ability operates solely on renewable electrical energy throughout regular manufacturing, making it BMW’s first automotive plant to keep away from fossil fuels totally. A 50-hectare on-site photo voltaic system will provide about 25% of the plant’s annual energy wants, with surplus vitality saved in a thermal storage system holding 1,800 cubic meters of water with 130 MWh capability.
The paint store incorporates an vitality restoration system that delivers extra vitality financial savings of as much as 10% by capturing waste warmth from compressed air provide, drying ovens and cooling programs. This recovered warmth is used to preheat water circuits all through the ability.
BMW has geared up the plant with its AIQX synthetic intelligence platform, which makes use of sensors and cameras alongside manufacturing strains to automate high quality processes. The system offers real-time suggestions to employees and allows autos to take part as linked elements within the plant’s Web of Issues ecosystem.
The ability employs greater than 2,000 employees and serves as a community plant, combining practices from BMW services worldwide somewhat than replicating a single major plant design. Between now and 2027, the applied sciences developed for the Neue Klasse will likely be built-in into 40 new fashions and mannequin updates throughout BMW’s lineup.
