BMW Begins Construction of Mexico Plant

BMW has started construction of its new plant in Mexico, which will receive an investment of nearly $1 billion. The BMW Group Plant in San Luis Potosi will comprise a body shop, paint shop, and assembly, outlined by "an innovative production system and comprehensive sustainability standards." Furthermore, the Mexico plant will be the BMW Group's most resource-efficient production location worldwide from the first full year of production.

Board of Management member for Production Oliver Zipse said, "All of the BMW Group's knowledge and capabilities will be on show at our new location in Mexico. The production system being established there will be a leader in productivity and sustainability, thanks to the use of innovative technologies. I am delighted to launch this ground-breaking BMW Group plant on its way."

(The $1 billion plant is scheduled to start production in 2019)

The German automaker added that it is "relying exclusively on digital 3D plans for both building construction and equipment installation at the plant." Additionally, digital 3D-scan technology is being used for the first time during the set-up phase.

The San Luis Potosi facility will produce the BMW 3 Series Sedan, most likely the next generation model, from 2019. The plant in San Luis Potosi will also balance out production capacity at BMW's plant in Rosslyn, South Africa, which will build the new BMW X3 instead of the BMW 3 Series in the future.

(BMW Plant Mexico will comprise a body shop, paint shop, and assembly)

While BMW's plants in Munich and Spartanburg will help set up the Mexican facility, the Munich plant will serve as the lead plant for set-up and training, and will train more than 500 Mexican employees by 2019. Production is scheduled to begin in 2019, with an annual production capacity of up to 150,000 units. BMW says the $1 billion plant will also help create at least 1,500 new jobs.