BMW starts i3 production in Munich

BMW today announced that it's starting to produce the i3 series at its plant in Munich, Germany. The company began taking orders for the new i3 in June. BMW says that high demand has led to "a steep ramp-up curve at the plant". The plant has made more than nine million BMW 3 series vehicles since 1975.

The i3 is billed as "the next chapter in the success story of BMW Group Plant Munich". Raymond Wittmann, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Production, said: "The unique combination of headquarters, development and production at our main plant in Munich is a key driving force for our global production network: Every one of our plants benefits from the experience and knowledge gained from the launch of the Neue Klasse in Munich".

BMW is lowering manufacturing costs at the plant by another 10%, through "planning and close cooperation with development departments and suppliers", but also through "modern production processes and targeted automation and digitalization".

From next year onwards, the Munich plant will only produce fully electric vehicles.