Gen6-batterijceltechnologie met een kleinere CO₂e-voetafdruk +++ Gebruik van secundaire materialen en hernieuwbare energie +++ Verbeterde efficiëntie tijdens de gebruiksfase

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Munich. In line with its sustainability strategy, the BMW Group is once again systematically leveraging product sustainability innovations in the new BMW 7 Series. This is evident, for example, in the use of a new battery cell technology and a higher percentage of secondary material in the wheel rims. These measures represent a targeted further development, applying proven sustainability approaches to another BMW model.

Sixth-generation (Gen6) battery cells in the new BMW i7: Measures to reduce CO₂e in core component.
Essential levers for reducing supply chain CO₂e emissions include increased use of secondary materials and renewable energies, in combination with selected product and process innovations.
Gen6 battery cells for the BMW i7’s high-voltage battery are manufactured exclusively using energy from renewable sources. The same applies to production of the necessary anode and cathode active material. Cell production also relies in part on secondary raw materials for the lithium, cobalt and nickel required. This reduces the overall supply chain CO₂e footprint of the Gen6 battery cell in the new BMW i7 60 xDrive by approximately 33 percent compared to the previous Gen5 cell used in the BMW i7 to date.

Aluminium wheels with high percentage of secondary raw materials.
From 2026, selected rim designs for the BMW i7 will be available with 70 percent secondary aluminium. Electrolysis of the remaining primary aluminium, as well as wheel rim production, is carried out in part using renewable energy. All components with a high percentage of secondary raw materials meet the BMW Group’s same strict quality standards, while also contributing to resource efficiency.

Enhanced efficiency during use phase.
With its EfficientDynamics technology package, the BMW Group optimises vehicle efficiency across all relevant subsystems during the use phase. This includes aerodynamics, lightweight construction, rolling resistance and overall energy management. EfficientDynamics has been used by the BMW Group across all drive technologies since 2007.

Production at BMW Group Plant Dingolfing.
All model variants of the new BMW 7 Series Sedan are produced at BMW Group Plant Dingolfing. The facility in Lower Bavaria, the Group’s primary plant for BMW luxury cars, increasingly relies on renewable energy for electricity and heating. 100 percent of its external electricity comes from renewable sources, some of which is also generated directly on site. In late 2025, an approximately 100,000-square-metre rooftop photovoltaic system with an output of almost 11 MWp was commissioned at the facility. In addition, a biomass heating plant went on-stream late last year to ensure that locally-produced heat is partially supplied from renewable energy sources.

In line with BMW Group’s sustainable development goals.
The BMW Group’s commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement and to reaching “net zero” no later than 2050 is an integral part of its holistic 360° approach to sustainability, which is anchored in its corporate strategy. The BMW Group has set itself ambitious science-based CO₂e targets for the coming years and intends to reduce its CO₂e emissions by a total of at least 40 million tonnes from 2019 levels by 2030.

Transparency through BMW Vehicle Footprint.
The BMW Group has published its vehicles’ Product Carbon Footprint, as validated by the German Technical Inspection Association (TÜV), in the so-called Vehicle Footprint for several years. This report is publicly available here for all drive trains of the new BMW 7 Series from the start of production and can also be accessed in the My BMW app. In this way, the BMW Group creates transparency around the percentage of secondary materials and CO₂e emissions throughout the vehicle’s lifecycle.

+++ Het BMW Group Recycling and Dismantling Centre (RDC) wordt het Competentiecentrum Circulaire Economie +++ Versterking van de circulaire economie, efficiënt gebruik van hulpbronnen en technologische ontwikkeling +++ Een duidelijk signaal voor de toekomst van de locatie in Wackersdorf +++

Munich/Wackersdorf. The BMW Group is relocating its Recycling and Dismantling Centre (RDC) from Unterschleißheim to the company’s Wackersdorf site, with a significant expansion. At the new location, a technologically state-of-the-art competence centre for circularity is being built, advancing vehicle dismantling and recycling expertise for the future. Commissioning is scheduled for early 2029.

“The circular economy is a key element of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy,” says Jörg Lederbauer, Vice-President Circular Economy, Spare Parts Supply High Voltage Battery and Electric Powertrain at the BMW Group. “Our new competence centre in Wackersdorf will be a core component of our circular value chain and will help make the mobility of the future more resource efficient. We want to find the best way to keep materials in the cycle, ensuring that resources retain their value for further use in the long term. This will also reduce our dependence on primary raw materials. At the same time, the use of high-quality secondary materials will continue to significantly lower our vehicles’ carbon footprint.”

For more than 30 years, at its current location in Unterschleißheim, near Munich, the BMW Group Recycling and Dismantling Centre (RDC) has developed methods aimed at achieving significant advances in the recycling of parts and the recovery of materials, and has tested them in practice. The insights gained by the RDC into the recyclability of components and materials, in line with Design for Circularity principles, are already incorporated into product development at the BMW Group. These insights also feed into the cooperation with PreZero, which the BMW Group recently entered into in order to leverage the strategic and economic potential of the circular economy in end‑of‑life vehicle recycling. 

The recycling industry’s global network also benefits from the work of the RDC. Around 3,000 businesses in 32 countries rely on a shared recycling database for information on how recyclable components can be disassembled cost-effectively and valuable materials efficiently recovered.

At the future site, process, material and technology development will be even more closely integrated with vehicle recycling operations. The new scope of activities at the Competence Centre Circularity includes the recycling of hydrogen vehicles, automation of dismantling processes and development of expertise in innovative shredding and sorting technologies.

The BMW Group sees Wackersdorf as the ideal new location for the Competence Centre Circularity, with BMW Group Plant Wackersdorf having embodied flexibility for decades: Housing cockpit production, the Rolls-Royce door and flap production centre, parts supply for overseas plants and the battery testing centre, the site has wide-ranging expertise and is firmly established within the BMW Group network.

“In recent years, the company has set a decisive course for the future of the Wackersdorf location. Throughout this process, the entire plant team has consistently demonstrated flexibility. Building the competence centre for circularity here provides our site with a broader foundation. In this way, we are tapping into an attractive, future-oriented area of activity,” says Stefan Betz, head of BMW Group Plant Wackersdorf.

“The company is systematically continuing its successful transformation. Establishing the new Competence Centre Circularity here represents an important strategic decision by the company in favour of the Wackersdorf location – and, above all, its employees. As employee representatives, we also supported this,” says André Mandl, Works Council Chairman for BMW Group Plants Regensburg and Wackersdorf.

“In Wackersdorf, BMW has been a strong partner by our side for many decades. We are delighted that the BMW Group is reaffirming its commitment to the location with this move. It sends a clear signal for our site and for sustainable future technologies,” says Thomas Falter, Mayor of Wackersdorf.

“The cutting-edge Competence Centre Circularity will make a major contribution to regional value creation and further development of the circular economy,” adds Thomas Ebeling, District Administrator of Schwandorf District. “In combination with the trechnology transfer centre planned for Wackersdorf by the Regensburg University of Applied Sciences and the University of Applied Sciences Amberg Weiden, close integration of business and academia on the circular economy will now also be possible. In this way, we are strengthening the region.”

Following the location decision, the detailed planning phase for the Competence Centre Circularity at the new site can now begin. The existing RDC in Unterschleißheim will remain fully operational until the relocation. The BMW Group will provide further information on the next steps in due course.

Bornem. En de elektrificatie gaat verder. Kijken we naar de binnenkomende bestellingen van het afgelopen jaar, dan zijn die bij BMW in 2025 voor het eerst geklommen naar 55 procent, wat een mooie voorafspiegeling is van de inschrijvingen in de komende maanden. Voor 2026 ziet BMW Belux de elektrische bestellingen verder stijgen richting 60 procent, gedreven door het enthousiaste onthaal van de elektrische BMW iX3, het eerste model van de Neue Klasse die een nieuw tijdperk in digitale, geconnecteerde elektromobiliteit inluidt.

Opvallend is verder dat de klanten van marktleider BMW meer en meer overstappen naar een volledig elektrische mobiliteit zonder daarbij de overstap via een hybride te maken. Waren plugin-hybrides in 2023 nog goed voor ruim een derde van de binnenkomende bestellingen, dat is dat percentage in 2025 gezakt tot 13 procent. Het percentage benzine- en dieselwagens bleef de jongste 3 jaar stabiel op ongeveer één derde van de binnenkomende bestellingen en de verwachting is dat dat ook in 2026 zo blijft.

De BMW Group

De BMW Group is met haar merken BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce en BMW Motorrad de voornaamste constructeur ter wereld van premium-wagens en motorfietsen en aanbieder van hoogstaande financiële diensten en mobiliteitsdiensten. Het productienetwerk van BMW Group omvat meer dan 30 productielocaties wereldwijd. De onderneming heeft een wereldwijd verkoopnetwerk met vertegenwoordigers in meer dan 140 landen.

In 2024 verkocht de BMW Group wereldwijd meer dan 2,45 miljoen auto's en meer dan 210.000 motorfietsen. Het resultaat voor belastingen in het boekjaar 2024 bedroeg € 11,0 miljard en de omzet € 142,4 miljard. Op 31 december 2024 telde de onderneming wereldwijd 159.104 werknemers.

Langetermijndenken en verantwoordelijk handelen waren altijd al de basis van het economisch succes van de BMW Group. Duurzaamheid is een belangrijk onderdeel van de bedrijfsstrategie van BMW Group, van de toeleveringsketen over de productie tot het einde van de levenscyclus van alle producten.

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Bornem. Het gaat dus om elektrische auto’s die het afgelopen jaar minstens één keer zijn opgeladen in België. Samen waren ze goed voor 9,7 miljoen laadsessies in het afgelopen jaar. BMW is al 12 jaar actief op de markt voor elektrische auto’s maar de mediaanleeftijd van het park (amper 1,83 jaar oud) toont aan dat de grootschalige transformatie naar elektrisch rijden toch een recent gegeven is. Ook de mediaankilometerstand van 24.000 kilometer toont dat aan.

Toch is de impact van elektrisch rijden op onze lokale emissies enorm: cumulatief hebben de Belgische elektrische BMW’s en MINI’s samen liefst 2,867 miljard kilometers gereden. Vergeleken met een auto met verbrandingsmotor die via de uitlaat 150 gram CO2 per kilometer uitstoot, betekent dat een totale besparing van meer dan 430.000 ton CO2 die niet is uitgestoten op Belgische wegen. Dat komt overeen met 0,5 procent van de totale Belgische CO2-uitstoot in een jaar (2023).

De elektrisch rijdende Belgen met een BMW of MINI wachten niet tot hun batterij bijna helemaal leeg is: gemiddeld wordt maar 2% van de laadsessies gestart als de auto minder dan 30 kilometer rijbereik heeft. De meeste Belgen pluggen de stekker in als ze nog meer dan 30% batterijcapaciteit over hebben.

Tot slot blijken de Belgen ‘vrijdagladers’ te zijn. Met 16,24% van alle gestarte laadsessies is vrijdag de populairste dag van de week waar de Belgen (met het weekend in het vooruitzicht) hun elektrische wagen inpluggen. Ook elektrische auto’s mogen blijkbaar genieten van de zondagsrust want dan laden Belgen hun BMW of MINI het minst op (11,92% van de gestarte laadsessies).

De BMW Group

De BMW Group is met haar merken BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce en BMW Motorrad de voornaamste constructeur ter wereld van premium-wagens en motorfietsen en aanbieder van hoogstaande financiële diensten en mobiliteitsdiensten. Het productienetwerk van BMW Group omvat meer dan 30 productielocaties wereldwijd. De onderneming heeft een wereldwijd verkoopnetwerk met vertegenwoordigers in meer dan 140 landen.

In 2024 verkocht de BMW Group wereldwijd meer dan 2,45 miljoen auto's en meer dan 210.000 motorfietsen. Het resultaat voor belastingen in het boekjaar 2024 bedroeg € 11,0 miljard en de omzet € 142,4 miljard. Op 31 december 2024 telde de onderneming wereldwijd 159.104 werknemers.

Langetermijndenken en verantwoordelijk handelen waren altijd al de basis van het economisch succes van de BMW Group. Duurzaamheid is een belangrijk onderdeel van de bedrijfsstrategie van BMW Group, van de toeleveringsketen over de productie tot het einde van de levenscyclus van alle producten.

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Munich/Salching. The new Cell Recycling Competence Center (CRCC) in Salching in Lower Bavaria has now been officially commissioned – marking a major step forward in implementing innovative direct recycling as a joint project between the BMW Group and Encory GmbH. For construction and operation of the new Competence Center, the BMW Group and Encory are relying on regional partners.

Innovative direct recycling enables reuse of battery raw materials

Direct recycling allows residual materials from battery cell production, including complete battery cells, to be mechanically dismantled. The raw materials are not entirely reverted to their original state, but are instead “directly” fed back into the cell production cycle. This direct recycling methodology, developed by experts from the BMW Group, therefore eliminates the conventional, energy-intensive chemical or thermal processing previously required. At the new CRCC, direct recycling will be scaled up and introduced in stages until, once fully operational, the annual volume of battery cell material recycled will be in the mid-double-digit tonne range. Going forward, the recovered raw materials will be directly reused in pilot production of battery cells at the company’s own Cell Manufacturing Competence Center (CMCC) in Parsdorf.

Direct recycling: A process for the future

“Our direct recycling process puts us at the forefront of the industry,” explains Markus Fallböhmer, SVP of Battery Production at BMW AG. “This technology has tremendous potential to further optimise battery cell production.” It is also conceivable that, for the first time, cell manufacturers could be enabled to use direct recycling in series production.

Joint venture runs Competence Center – IP remains with BMW Group

An existing hall owned by the company Sturm in Salching in Lower Bavaria (Straubing-Bogen district) will be used for the new Competence Center. In addition to the production area and warehouse space of around 2,100 m², the building also offers just under 350 m² of offices and break rooms, as well as photovoltaic systems on the roof. While the Competence Center will be built and operated by Encory GmbH, the intellectual property for the recycling method is fully owned by the BMW Group. As a joint venture between the BMW Group and the Interzero Group, Encory will develop and implement logistics and consulting solutions, including for recovery, recycling and reconditioning of vehicle components. Both partners hold a 50-percent stake in the company. The new Competence Center will employ about 20 people.

Strong partners from the region

With the exception of one Swiss company, only German firms were contracted for the construction and operation of the Competence Center. Nearly half of these companies are located within a 100-kilometer radius of Salching.

Optimal location for new Competence Center in Bavaria

The BMW Group consolidates its battery cell expertise at its Competence Centers in Munich, Parsdorf and Salching. The Battery Cell Competence Center (BCCC) in the north of Munich offers state-of-the-art labs and research facilities for developing the battery cells for next-generation high-voltage batteries and producing them in small quantities. The best battery cell from the BCCC will be scaled up for series processes on a pilot line at the Cell Manufacturing Competence Center (CMCC) in Parsdorf. Recycling of surplus material from pilot production in Parsdorf will take place at the new Cell Recycling Competence Center (CRCC) in Salching. The recovered raw materials will then be reused in cell production, ensuring short distances between all Competence Centers and preventing valuable raw materials from being lost. Following on from the BCCC and CMCC, the CRCC thus represents the next step in the BMW Group’s battery cell strategy on the road to the circular economy.

Circular economy at the BMW Group

The BMW Group views the circular economy as one of the key issues in shaping more resource-efficient mobility. Its approach is aimed at finding the best ways to keep materials in the cycle – ensuring that resources are not lost, but retain their value for long-term use. The BMW Group applies the principles of Re:Think, Re:Duce, Re:Use and Re:Cycle. From vehicle design and production, to recycling and reuse, everything is geared towards ensuring that vehicles can serve as a source of raw vehicles at the end of their use phase. The BMW Group is taking steps to increase the percentage of recycled materials. It returns selected production residues to the material supplier or material processor, enabling their recovery and reintroduction into a new manufacturing process. In this way, recycled and reused materials are already making their way into BMW Group vehicles today. The circular economy requires holistic thinking – from product design, all the way through to vehicle recycling. 

Munich, 2 December 2025. The BMW Group has defined a new 2035 milestone for cutting CO₂e emissions on the road to net zero. The company aims to reduce its CO₂e emissions by at least 60 million metric tons compared to 2019 levels, an additional reduction of approximately 20 million tons of CO₂e beyond the existing 2030 target.

In doing so, the BMW Group is pursuing a comprehensive decarbonization strategy along the entire life cycle, with the goal of achieving net zero by 2050 at the latest. This represents a firm commitment to the goals set out in the Paris Agreement. To date, the target has been to cut at least 40 million metric tons of CO₂e across the entire life cycle (scopes 1, 2 and 3) by 2030 compared to 2019 levels. The new 2035 milestone is a logical next step on this road toward advancing decarbonization. At the same time, the climate impact of the BMW Group’s business model will also be drastically reduced. By 2035, each euro generated will see less than half as much CO₂e emitted compared to 2019.

The key measures for achieving these results include the increasing use of renewable energies in production and the supply chain, the increased utilization of secondary raw materials, efficiency improvements in the use phase, as well as product and process innovations. The latter are being implemented across all drive variants as part of the BMW Group’s technology-neutral approach. In addition, an increasing proportion of the vehicle fleet will continue to be electrified.

Decarbonization along the entire life cycle

The BMW Group has intentionally set itself the additional 2035 milestone to consistently advance its decarbonization strategy. Global customer demand for electric vehicles alone will not be sufficient to achieve the CO₂e targets set for 2030 and 2035. The comprehensive approach to reducing CO₂e emissions therefore spans the entire vehicle life cycle, irrespective of the drive variant.

In the supply chain, which is increasingly relevant in terms of CO₂e emissions, especially for electric models, the company focuses on expanding the use of secondary raw materials and renewable energies. The specific priorities are highly CO₂e-emitting components such as high-voltage batteries, aluminum, and steel. In addition, the company will be implementing product and process innovations, such as in the BMW Group’s sixth generation (Gen6) of battery technology.

The BMW Group also applies high standards in production: for example, since 2020, all electricity sourced from external suppliers for all plants worldwide has come exclusively from renewable sources. The BMW Group also works continuously on replacing fossil fuels. The new iX3 plant in Debrecen, Hungary, is the BMW Group’s first car factory to produce vehicles without any fossil fuels such as oil and gas in standard operation.

To lower CO₂e emissions during the use phase, the BMW Group is implementing additional efficiency measures such as BMW EfficientDynamics, in addition to electrifying its vehicle fleet. As a result, efficiency potential in all vehicle subsystems, such as the drive system, tires, and aerodynamics, is consistently identified and implemented, regardless of the drive technology. The new BMW iX3, for instance, uses up to 20% less energy (WLTP combined) than its predecessor.

Reaching the new milestone will also depend on a variety of external factors, such as the transformation of the steel industry in favor of more CO₂e-reduced steel, the expansion of the charging infrastructure, progress in the circular economy, and the advancement of battery cell technologies. This is why the BMW Group continues to pursue a number of strategic initiatives, such as the ongoing expansion of in-house expertise in state-of-the-art battery cell centers of excellence and innovative circular economy projects.

Further  information:

Sustainability in the iX3

Battery Competence Center

Recycling and Dismantling Centre 

If you have any questions, please contact:

BMW Group, Press and Public Relations

Isabel Richter

Teamlead Sustainability Communication BMW Group

Telefon: +49-151-601-53189

E-Mail: Isabel.Richter@bmwgroup.com

Internet: https://newsroom.bmwgroup.com/global/en

E-Mail: presse@bmwgroup.com

The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2024, the BMW Group sold over 2.45 million passenger vehicles and more than 210,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2024 was € 11.0 billion on revenues amounting to € 142.4 billion. As of 31 December 2024, the BMW Group had a workforce of 159,104 employees.

The economic success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. Sustainability is a key element of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy and covers all products from the supply chain and production to the end of their useful life.

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Munich. 2025 sees the Bavarian capital host the annual One Young World Summit, a top conference of young leaders from across the globe. With delegates from 196 countries, the Summit is one of the few global events to bring young people from all continents together and offer them a platform. It is now being hosted by the City of Munich – for a second time. With its special mix of tradition, innovation and quality of life, Munich is the ideal place to pursue the shared goal of developing innovative and visionary solutions to social challenges.

Ilka Horstmeier, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible for HR and Real Estate, said: “The One Young World Summit 2025 in Munich brings together young leaders from across the globe to inspire and connect. For us at the BMW Group, social responsibility extends far beyond our products and organisation: by supporting One Young World, we foster responsible leadership and encourage young people to take a stand and remain committed to resolving the challenges of the future.”

BMW Group fosters young leaders

A premium partner of One Young World, the BMW Group plays an active role in the event series. It sees itself as an integral part of society and supports the development of solutions to meet global challenges. One aspect of this consists of fostering a generation of future leaders dedicated to achieving a responsible, just and forward-looking society. Since 2016 the BMW Group has had its own delegation of committed young leaders aged between 18 and 30 at the four-day forum, which it sees as an opportunity to contribute to a better future. This year it will once again be staging the closing ceremony at BMW Welt – a symbol of technology, design and emotional experiences.

Driving change together

The One Young World Summit is an invitation to debate social, business and environmental issues, share knowledge and experience, ask critical questions and make lasting connections. The aim is to enable talented and ambitious young people to actively drive change. Delegates come from a variety of backgrounds, from business and science to NGOs. It’s in this diversity and passionate commitment that the BMW Group sees the potential of the international conference.

With a BMW Group delegation of more than 50 people, this year’s event will focus on education, the circular economy, responsible tech, combating hatred, and on peace and security. For even more impetus and different perspectives, a range of influential figures from business, politics, sport and culture will make guest appearances. One of them will be Philipp Lahm, former captain of the German national football team and 2014 football World Champion. He will be talking to Ilka Horstmeier at the opening ceremony of the Summit on 3 November in Munich’s Olympic Hall.

Education is key

In a podium discussion during the four-day conference, Ilka Horstmeier will explore how effective leadership can help restore trust in institutions, science and democracy, and the key role of education in this. Her panellists will be His Excellency Miguel Ángel Moratinos, Under-General-Secretary of the United Nations and High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilisations (UNAOC), and Gabriela de la Torre, responsible for gifted and talented education at the Mexican Ministry of Education and General Director of the Programa Adopted un Talento (Adopt a Talent Programme, PAUTA), which is dedicated to providing extra-curricular activities to support children and young people across Mexico looking to pursue a career in the sciences.

The BMW Group has long been committed to educational initiatives at its various sites, and a million children and young people have already benefited. Its longstanding collaboration with the UNAOC primarily fosters grass-roots initiatives to develop their knowledge of STEM subjects (sciences, technology, engineering and mathematics), which are important foundations to careers in exactly the areas that enable participation in global growth.

In addition, the BMW Group will invite delegates at the conference to join an interactive workshop on the circular economy. Participants will learn more about how the principles of circularity can be integrated into business ideas to help save resources and CO₂ emissions.

If you have any questions, please contact:

BMW Group Corporate Communications

Dr Hans-Peter Ketterl
Spokesperson for HR and for the Member of the Board of Management for HR and Real Estate
Tel: +49-89-382-23923
Email: Hans-Peter.Ketterl@bmwgroup.com

Bernd Eckstein
Head of Communications for HR, Real Estate, Culture, Corporate Citizenship
Tel: +49-89-382-59490
Email: Bernd.Eckstein@bmwgroup.com

The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2024, the BMW Group sold over 2.45 million passenger vehicles and more than 210,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2024 was € 11.0 billion on revenues amounting to € 142.4 billion. As of 31 December 2024, the BMW Group had a workforce of 159,104 employees.

The economic success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. Sustainability is a key element of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy and covers all products from the supply chain and production to the end of their useful life.

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Munich/Parsdorf. With the publication of its Environmental Impact Statement 2024, all BMW Group operations in Parsdorf are now part of the European environmental register, EMAS. In addition to the BMW Group Cell Manufacturing Competence Centre (CMCC) and test-parts logistics, the pilot plant for high-voltage batteries in Parsdorf has been included in the environmental impact statement and EMAS registration for the first time. EMAS stands for the “Eco-Management and Audit Scheme”, which claims to be the most stringent environmental management system in the world. “We are very pleased with the EMAS registration of all our operations in Parsdorf, which underlines that our processes operate at a very high level – both economically and environmentally,” says Hansjörg Schilp, director of the CMCC and pilot plant for high-voltage batteries in Parsdorf. “The entire team has done an outstanding job.”

EMAS: Strict requirements and high environmental standards

To be listed in the EMAS Register, companies must fulfil strict requirements and adhere to rigorous environmental standards. EMAS is a globally recognised framework that enables organisations to manage and continuously improve their environmental impact. A key element of the EMAS environmental management system is the international environmental management standard ISO 14001. EMAS also focuses on measurable improvements, transparency and legal certainty. Auditing aims to support companies in continuously improving their environmental performance – for example, by using energy and material more efficiently and reducing emissions, wastewater and waste from their sites. Beyond these direct environmental impacts, EMAS also addresses and evaluates indirect aspects, including the sustainability of products, procurement and supply chains, contractor practices and the environmental impact of employees commuting to work. (Source: https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/themen/wirtschaft-konsum/wirtschaft-umwelt/umwelt-energiemanagement/emas-umweltmanagement-guetesiegel-der-europaeischen#systematisches-umweltmanagement-mit-emas)

Efficient operations and concepts for the circular economy

The validated environmental impact statement and the resulting inclusion in the EMAS Register by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK) for Munich and Upper Bavaria underscore the rigorous environmental standards upheld by the BMW Group in Parsdorf. Battery cell production at the CMCC, one of the three Parsdorf facilities, is powered entirely by electricity from 100% renewable energy sources. Hot water for process ventilation is generated using waste heat recovered from various primary processes, and all three Parsdorf facilities utilise heat pumps in their operations. “On our pilot lines for battery cells and high-voltage batteries, we are focusing on reducing the use of critical raw materials and energy, avoiding solvents and developing innovative circular economy approaches,” explains Schilp. Raw materials represent a significant cost factor for battery cells and high-voltage batteries. Efficient and responsible use of these resources is therefore necessary and also makes economic sense. The BMW Group is gaining valuable insights in this area in Parsdorf. Residual materials from the production process are collected and, wherever technically feasible, reintegrated into the value-creation cycle at the BMW Group’s Competence Centres through direct recycling. This innovative procedure enables residual materials from battery cell production, as well as whole battery cells, to be mechanically dismantled into their components.

Transparent reporting: Environmental impact statement now online

The environmental impact statement for the BMW Group’s Parsdorf  operations (CMCC, pilot plant for high-voltage batteries and test-parts logistics) has been independently reviewed by TÜV SÜD Umweltgutachter GmbH and is now available online at: www.bmwgroup-werke.com/produktionskompetenz/de.html

How the cell is created: Production steps for sample manufacturing at the CMCC

Cell manufacturing at the CMCC in Parsdorf begins with electrode production: Here, the base material, comprising, for example, graphite for the anode and nickel oxides for the cathode, with binders and solvents, is metered and mixed in a precisely measured ratio. This creates the so-called “slurry” – which means wafer-thin metal foils are coated and then compressed after drying. In technical jargon, this is referred to as “calendering”. The highest level of precision is required: The foil is just a few micrometres thick – in other words, thinner than the threads of a spider web – while the coating is in the micrometre range. During cell assembly, the coated foils, referred to in the jargon as calendered electrodes, are coiled into so-called “jelly rolls” using the separator and inserted into the cell housing. The cells are filled with electrolyte, then charged for the first time and finally checked for functionality and quality.

Parsdorf pioneers: How the BMW Group builds Gen6 high-voltage batteries

Parsdorf is also home to the BMW Group’s largest pilot plant for Gen6 high-voltage batteries, where production processes are developed and tested before large-scale production begins at the series plants in Debrecen (Hungary), Irlbach-Straßkirchen (Lower Bavaria), Shenyang (China), San Luis Potosí (Mexico) and Woodruff (USA). More than 350 employees have been building initial high-voltage battery prototypes here since 2023. In the meantime, these batteries have also been delivered to the vehicle plant in Debrecen, Hungary, where they were installed in test vehicles for the Neue Klasse. For series production, the BMW Group sources battery cells for its high-voltage batteries from leading cell manufacturers, who produce the cells to the company's specifications. The highest technical standards apply. Upon receipt of goods, additional measurements – such as voltage checks – are carried out. Next comes cell clustering, where the battery cells are connected to coolers. This step ensures optimal insulation and cooling of the cells. The cell clusters and cell contact system are then laser-cleaned and welded with pinpoint precision. The in-line inspection continuously monitors each weld seam in real time. An innovative foaming process follows, ensuring that all elements are protected as a mechanical unit. The foam thus guarantees the safety, stability and durability of the high-voltage battery. The housing is then closed, sealed and riveted. In the final assembly step, the Energy Master – the central control unit – is installed onto the high-voltage battery. A permanently elastic sealing adhesive is applied to ensure a reliable seal. Finally, each high-voltage battery undergoes a 100% end-of-line inspection to ensure quality, safety and function.

Debrecen. With an impressive ceremony that artistically combined Hungarian culture and modern automotive production, Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, today officially opened the BMW Group plant in Debrecen. The BMW Group’s newest and most innovative production site marks the beginning of a new era for the company. In late October, the new BMW iX3 will enter series production in the Hungarian university town of Debrecen as the first vehicle of the Neue Klasse. Plant Debrecen was planned virtually and realised in practice fully in line with the principles of the BMW iFACTORY, becoming the first BMW Group car plant to rely entirely on electricity from renewable energy during normal operation.

In addition to Oliver Zipse, high-ranking representatives from Hungarian politics, such as Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and the Mayor of Debrecen, László Papp, as well as Milan Nedeljković, Member of the Board of Management for Production, Ilka Horstmeier, Member of the Board of Management for Human Resources and Real Estate, and Hans-Peter Kemser, President and CEO BMW Manufacturing Hungary Kft., attended the grand opening.

“In our global production network, our new plant in Debrecen is a pioneer: It is our first fully-electric plant, the first production site to operate entirely without fossil fuels – and the first to build vehicles for the Neue Klasse. This makes our plant in Debrecen a decisive factor in the BMW Group's future success,” said Oliver Zipse. “The opening also sends a strong signal: We are expanding our footprint on our home continent and reaffirming our commitment to Europe as a strong and competitive location for industry.”

Hans-Peter Kemser added at the ceremony: “This is not only a new BMW Group plant – it is a cornerstone of progress. We are a partner to culture, to education and to the University of Debrecen, where together we foster the talents that will shape the future. And above all, it is a community – deeply embedded in the life of Debrecen and Hungary.”

Strengthening the industrial base and expanding training

The official opening ceremony began with a look back at the plant’s construction, following a 2018 decision that launched one of Hungary’s largest greenfield investments. The BMW Group’s first Central European location has firmly placed Debrecen on the region's automotive map, creating more than 2,000 direct jobs – and many more along the supply chain, at regional suppliers and service providers that have recently established themselves in Debrecen, alongside national and international companies. The new plant has also strengthened the industrial park and driven additional investment in transport and infrastructure.

At the same time, through collaborations with institutions such as the local university and the Vocational Training Centre of Debrecen, DSZC, Plant Debrecen has also become one of the largest training hubs for dual education programmes in Hungary.

Only the best of the best for Debrecen

Plant Debrecen is the first BMW Group production site not tied to a specific primary plant. Instead, it serves as a network plant, combining best practices from different locations worldwide. For example, the press shop is modelled on the systems used in Spartanburg (USA) and Swindon (Great Britain), with their know-how and technologies further refined for Debrecen. In the body shop, the positioning of nearly 1,000 industrial robots, along with their processes, was digitally simulated in detail beforehand. The number of joining methods was also significantly reduced, with further streamlining allowing design features for the Neue Klasse to be integrated early in development.

Paint shop key to largest reduction in CO₂e emissions

At BMW Group Plant Debrecen, the paint shop plays a critical role in significantly reducing the BMW iX3’s CO₂e footprint. Production of the new BMW iX3 will generate a total of about 80kg CO₂e (scope 1/2 emissions). This figure covers CO₂e emissions from Plant Debrecen, as well as in-house parts production at other BMW Group facilities, including components manufactured in Landshut, for example. This represents a reduction of approx. two-thirds compared to production of existing BMW derivatives. For Plant Debrecen alone, this approach will reduce CO₂e emissions from the manufacture of a vehicle, including its high-voltage battery, by around 90% – to about 34 kg CO₂e (when operating at full capacity, compared with other BMW Group facilities).

About a quarter of the plant's annual power needs will be supplied by the 50‑hectare on-site photovoltaic system, one of the largest in Hungary. Surplus solar energy, such as that generated on non-working days, is stored in a 1,800 m³ thermal storage system with a capacity of 130 MWh.

Digitalised assembly processes and smart “finger structure”

Complete digitalisation of production processes further boosts assembly efficiency – for example, sensors and camera systems along the production line are used to automate quality processes. AI evaluates the data and provides real-time feedback to employees on the assembly line. The building's “finger structure” – an optimised version of BMW Group Plant Leipzig – allows 80% of parts to be delivered directly to the correct point of assembly on the line. In-house logistics are fully electric.

High-voltage battery assembly in line with “local for local” principle

High-voltage batteries are assembled directly on site, allowing for short distances in line with the “local for local” principle. Plant Debrecen will be the first of five plants worldwide to begin series production of Gen6 high-voltage batteries at this location. Seamless in-line quality inspections and 100% end‑of‑line monitoring enable a consistent zero-defect approach.

Final photo with employees and two BMW iX3s

The opening ceremony concluded with a music and dance performance celebrating Hungarian culture and traditions, which the BMW Group also supports through local events and organisations. To wrap up, numerous employees joined Viktor Orbán and Oliver Zipse on stage, alongside two new BMW iX3s.

Regensburg. As it transitions from natural gas to renewable energy, the BMW Group is gradually electrifying its paint shops as part of its efforts to decarbonise vehicle production. A recently concluded pilot project at Plant Regensburg demonstrates how this transition can be simplified and accelerated. The key lies in the installation of a thermal oil system. Using thermal oil as a heat transfer medium enables heat generation to be decoupled from the rest of the system’s components. This allows the energy supply to the coating lines to be adapted flexibly at any time.

“One advantage of switching to thermal oil is the flexibility to choose the energy source for heat generation in our paint shops. For example, thermal oil can be heated using electricity, geothermal energy, solar thermal energy – or even a hydrogen-powered heating system. The ability to change fuels quickly at any time makes our paint shops more resilient. If an energy source becomes scarce or unavailable, we can respond at short notice,” explains Samuel Flieger, project manager for technical planning in the Regensburg paint shop.

This means paint shops can already be set up to run on renewable energy – even if gas-free heating is not yet an option. The power grid is not currently equipped at all locations to handle the high energy demands of a fully electrified paint shop, largely due to its extremely energy-intensive drying processes. A thermal oil-based system can also be operated with gas as an interim solution.

Testing successfully concluded in Regensburg

The Regensburg pilot project team took advantage of the production downtime over the New Year period to install the thermal oil technology. Within just a few days, they replaced the gas-powered drying equipment used for one of the three top coat lines with an electrically heated thermal oil system – complete with an innovative electric-powered eRTO exhaust air unit.

The key innovation lies in using the new electric heating unit to transfer heat to the thermal oil, instead of directly heating the air around the car bodies in the drying chamber after paint application. The heated oil circulates in a closed loop and, in a second step, heats the air in the drying chamber via heat exchangers. The circulating thermal oil reaches temperatures of several hundred degrees Celsius. Unlike water, it remains stable even at these high temperatures.

Retrofitting boosts energy efficiency

Wherever waste heat is generated, it is recovered and reused as process heat. This reduces the temperature of the exhaust air released through the hall's roof. As a result of these retrofitting measures, the drying equipment’s total energy consumption has been reduced by approximately 40 percent. Switching to thermal oil heating, combined with the system's improved energy efficiency, will reduce the carbon footprint of BMW Group Plant Regensburg’s paint shop by approximately 480 tons of CO₂e per year.

If you have any questions, please contact:

Christian Dürrschmidt, Communications Regensburg
Cell phone: +49 151 6060 5194,
Email: Christian.Duerrschmidt@bmw.de
 
Saskia Graser, head of Communications Regensburg and Wackersdorf
Cell phone: +49 151 6060 2014,
Email: Saskia.Graser@bmw.de
 
Media website: https://newsroom.bmwgroup.com/global/en
Email: presse@bmw.de

BMW Group Plants Regensburg and Wackersdorf
 
The BMW Group vehicle plant in Regensburg has been in operation since 1986 and is one of more than 30 BMW Group production locations worldwide. Every workday, around 1,400 vehicles of the BMW X1 and BMW X2 models roll off the production line at Plant Regensburg, destined for customers around the globe. Different types of drive trains are flexibly manufactured on a single production line – ranging from vehicles with internal combustion engines to plug-in hybrids and fully-electric models.

BMW Group Plant Regensburg was recognised as “FACTORY OF THE YEAR” 2024 in the category “excellent large-series assembly” of the prestigious industrial competition. As it implements the so-called BMW iFACTORY, the BMW Group is focused on digitalisation of the Regensburg plant site to create a digital and intelligently connected factory. It is already possible to experience in virtual form what the factory will look like a few years from now. Production of models for the NEUE KLASSE, BMW’s next generation of vehicles, will ramp up in Regensburg in the second half of the decade.

The BMW Group plant in Wackersdorf is home to cockpit production and parts supply for overseas plants. With the opening of a new battery testing centre and commissioning of the first phase in autumn 2024, the location also makes a significant contribution to electromobility. An entirely new area of expertise is the door and flap centre for Rolls-Royce.

The BMW Group core staff at the Regensburg and Wackersdorf locations in eastern Bavaria consists of around 9,250 employees, including about 350 apprentices.

www.bmwgroup-werke.com/regensburg/de.html

Munich. The new BMW iX3 demonstrates the BMW Group's take on implementing a holistic approach to product sustainability across the entire life cycle. During product development, extensive measures were implemented throughout the supply chain, production and use phases, explicitly focused on conserving resources and reducing the model’s environmental footprint. As such, the Neue Klasse marks an important milestone toward achieving the company's 2030 and 2050 CO₂e targets.
 
CO₂e benefits achievable after only one year of use
The extensive decarbonization measures in the supply chain results in an early break-even point: when charged with electricity from the European energy mix, the CO₂e footprint of the new BMW iX3 50 xDrive is lower than that of a comparable model with a combustion engine after about 21,500 kilometers (WLTP combined). When charged exclusively with electricity from renewable sources, the BMW iX3 50 xDrive beats the comparable ICE model after only 17,500 kilometers (WLTP combined), allowing customers to potentially achieve CO₂e benefits in as little as one year.

Decarbonization in the supply chain
The key levers to reduce CO₂e emissions in the supply chain are the use of secondary materials and renewable energy, alongside product and process innovations. This combination of measures has led to a decrease of CO₂e emissions in the supply chain of 35% during product development.
The Gen6 battery cells of the BMW iX3 high-voltage storage system are made of 50% secondary cobalt, lithium, and nickel materials. In addition, renewable energies are harnessed in the anode and cathode materials and cell production. This is how CO₂e emissions per watt hour were reduced by 42% compared to the Gen5 cell of the previous model.

The BMW Group is increasingly focused on the use of innovative and secondary materials in other components as well. 
For instance, 30% of the secondary raw material  used for the engine compartment cover and the storage compartment under the front hatch is recycled maritime plastic. This post-consumer material consists of old fishing nets and ropes, preventing these materials from potentially being dumped in the ocean.
Secondary aluminum accounts for 80% of the wheel carriers and swivel bearings as well as 70% of the cast aluminum wheels.

‘Design for Circularity’: consistent implementation in the Neue Klasse 
The BMW Group applied the ‘Design for Circularity’ approach consistently in developing the BMW iX3. The approach builds on the concepts of secondary first (the prioritized use of secondary materials), strategic material selection and disassembly optimization. As a result, secondary materials account for one third of all material used in the new BMW iX3 50 xDrive.
One example of implementing these three concepts is the Econeer seat cover, available in the interior trim Essential, whose fabric, adhesive and fleece are all made from PET. This mono-material choice increases recyclability. Moreover, the textile yarn used consists entirely of recycled PET as well.
Other components whose development followed the ‘Design for Circularity’ approach include the center console, instrument panel and interior floor trim.

Significantly improved efficiency in the use phase    
BMW EfficientDynamics involves consistently identifying and harnessing efficiency potential in all vehicle subsystems. Applying this approach, the energy consumption of the new BMW iX3 is 20% lower than in the predecessor model (WLTP combined).
This significant improvement is primarily based on optimized aerodynamic properties, reduced rolling resistance and on-board power consumption as well as the drive’s unparalleled combination of efficiency and dynamics. 

Sustainability-centric production at BMW Group’s Debrecen plant
Designed and built according to the BMW iFactory principles, the new BMW Group plant in Debrecen, Hungary, is fully focused on efficiency, digitalization and sustainability. It is the first BMW Group car factory that is operated and produces vehicles without using fossil fuels, such as oil and gas, under normal operating conditions.
The only energy source to power operations at the site is electricity. According to current planning, up to 25% of the plant's annual electricity needs can be covered by the photovoltaic system located on the premises. The remaining electricity is obtained from other renewable energy sources. Surplus solar energy is stored in a heat storage unit and used to heat the paint shop ovens as needed.
Only 0.1 tons of CO₂e are emitted in the production of a BMW iX3 car, about two third below production at other BMW Group plants.

The BMW Group’s sustainability targets
The BMW Group's commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement and to achieving Net Zero by 2050 or earlier is an integral part of the comprehensive 360° sustainability approach incorporated in the corporate strategy. The company is pursuing ambitious, scientifically derived CO₂e targets for the coming years. For instance, the BMW Group intends to reduce its CO₂e emissions by at least 40 million tons in 2030 (baseline: 2019).

Publicly accessible, TÜV-verified Product Carbon Footprint 
For years, the BMW Group has released its vehicle footprint, which includes a greenhouse gas report for its vehicles verified by Germany’s TÜV Technical Inspection Association. The report for the new BMW iX3 50 xDRIVE can be downloaded here and is also available in the My BMW app. It offers increased transparency regarding raw materials used and CO₂e emissions over the entire vehicle lifecycle.

^{All information regarding the BMW iX3 50 xDrive’s mileage, energy consumption, range, energy content, dimensions, weights, share of secondary raw materials/recycled materials and other technical data and derivations thereof are provisional as of the start of production in November 2025.}

^{All model variants, equipment levels, technical data, fuel consumption and emission data mentioned correspond to the range offered in the German car market, provided the respective model is available there. Deviations in other markets are possible. Dimensions refer to the base model available in Germany; depending on wheel and tire size as well as optional equipment selected, dimensions may vary depending on the specific configuration.}

^{Power consumption and range data were measured in accordance with the mandatory WLTP procedures and comply with the German Passenger Car Energy Consumption Labelling Ordinance (EnVKV). For more information, see www.bmw.de}

^{If you have any questions, please contact:}

^{BMW Group Corporate Communications
Dr. Cornelia Bovensiepen, Spokesperson Sustainability BMW Group
Phone: +49 89 382-94935
E-Mail: Cornelia.Bovensiepen@bmw.de
   
Sofia Elena Rizzi, Spokesperson Product Communications BMW Compact & Mid-size Segments
Phone: +49-151-601-67436
E-Mail: Sofia-Elena.Rizzi@bmw.de}

^{Internet: https://newsroom.bmwgroup.com/global/en
E-Mail: presse@bmwgroup.com}

^{The BMW Group}

^{With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.}

^{In 2024, the BMW Group sold over 2.45 million passenger vehicles and more than 210,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2024 was € 11.0 billion on revenues amounting to € 142.4 billion. As of 31 December 2024, the BMW Group had a workforce of 159,104 employees.}

^{The economic success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. Sustainability is a key element of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy and covers all products from the supply chain and production to the end of their useful life.}

^{www.bmwgroup.com 
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/
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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup
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X: https://www.x.com/bmwgroup} 

+++ BMW Group adds to the range of My Trips driving statistics with an update for the My BMW App and MINI App +++ The driver’s carbon impact is based on their vehicle’s footprint and routes they have driven +++ Available for selected models with all types of drive system +++

Munich. The BMW Group is now offering customers even broader scope for personalising analysis of their driving stats in the My BMW App and MINI App. The latest update, available from June, will allow drivers to view their personal carbon footprint for the first time. Almost three years after My Trips was launched to help drivers evaluate their journeys, this function will now also provide data on the emissions those trips are producing.

“Our usage research shows: The information in My Trips is one of the most popular features in the app,” says Dirk Wiedmann. “We are now expanding this successful function with carbon footprint calculation, giving our customers simple and straightforward access to sustainability-related information via a popular and widely used channel.”

Emissions from vehicle production and use: two sets of figures make up the driver’s personal footprint.
The personal carbon footprint function has been designed with a technology-open approach and is available for vehicles with combustion engines, as well as plug-in hybrid and fully electric models. At launch, this feature will be rolled out across selected models in various European countries *. Calculation of the personal footprint is based on two central sets of figures.

• Emissions from vehicle use: My Trips analyses the routes the driver has completed and uses the energy consumed in the process to work out the CO₂ emitted. To this end, CO₂ equivalents are calculated using data from the International Energy Agency (IEA). For vehicles with combustion engines, the app calculates the amount of CO₂ emitted based on the fuel consumed. For battery-electric vehicles, it shows the emissions generated when using the average national energy mix – and also tells the driver how high emissions would be by comparison if green energy were used.
• Emissions from vehicle production: These are emissions generated during the manufacturing process. Emissions are recorded from the processing of raw materials, procurement of materials, transport logistics and the production of the model at hand. The BMW Group already sets out the emissions figures for numerous models in the form of Vehicle Footprint Reports. These are calculated according to recognised standards for life cycle assessments and certified by the TÜV Rheinland agency. They can also be downloaded from the BMW Group website.

Ready for electric mobility: My BMW App helps with the transition.

The My BMW App also includes the Electric Vehicle Analysis introduced last summer. This function allows customers whose BMW is powered by a combustion engine to simulate how well a fully electric BMW fits their personal driving profile. Here, the customer selects an electric BMW model as an alternative vehicle in the app. Once the combustion-engined model has made at least 200 journeys and covered a distance of 2,000 kilometres (over 1,240 miles), the analysis shows the journeys the user could have completed on a single charge with the electric vehicle selected, and also flags up charging stations close to frequently visited destinations. More than 100,000 customers had used this analysis by May 2025.

Over 14 million customers around the world use the My BMW App and MINI App. The My Trips function is available in more than 90 countries and is actively used by 1.9 million users.

* The new function will only be available to users of selected vehicles for which a TÜV-certified carbon footprint has been calculated. This feature will launch in Germany, Austria, Belgium, France, Luxemburg, the Netherlands and Switzerland, and be available in the BMW 1 Series (key number 81GE), BMW 2 Series (31GH), BMW X2 (71GM, 21GM), BMW X3 (11GR, 31GP, 65GP), BMW 5 Series (31FK, 11JF, 71FJ), BMW 5 Series Touring (11HH, 11GW, 21GV), BMW M5 (81FK) and BMW iX (41CF) and MINI Cooper (11GC), MINI Cooper C (11GD), MINI Aceman (31GC) and MINI Countryman (41GA, 11GA).

In the event of enquiries please contact:                                                                   

Corporate Communications

Wieland Bruch

Product Communication BMW

Electric Mobility and Sustainability

Telephone: +49-89-382-72652

Mobile: +49-176-601-72652

E-mail: Wieland.Bruch@bmw.de  

Martin Tholund, 
Spokesperson Digital Car, Electronics and Software, Technology Partnerships, Digital Products and Services

Telefon: +49-151-601-77126

E-Mail: Martin.Tholund@bmwgroup.com  

Internet: https://newsroom.bmwgroup.com/global/en

E-mail: presse@bmw.de

The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2024, the BMW Group sold 2.45 million passenger vehicles and more than 210,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2024 was € 11.0 billion on revenues amounting to € 142.4 billion. As of 31 December 2024, the BMW Group had a workforce of 159,104 employees.

The economic success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. Sustainability is a key element of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy and covers all products from the supply chain and production to the end of their useful life. 

www.bmwgroup.com

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/bmwgroup

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bmwgroup

X: https://www.x.com/bmwgroup

Brussel - De BMW Group heeft vandaag haar ‘Tour d'Europe’ afgesloten met een hoogstaand slotevent in Autoworld in het Jubelpark in Brussel. Onder het motto ‘De weg vooruit: decarbonisatie stimuleren met brandstoffen uit hernieuwbare bronnen’ bracht het evenement leiders uit de industrie en beleidsmakers samen om de cruciale rol van brandstoffen uit hernieuwbare bronnen te onderzoeken in functie van het terugdringen van de CO2-uitstoot en de overgang naar koolstofneutrale mobiliteit.

Tijdens een zes maanden durende tournee heeft de “Tour d'Europe” 20 landen in Europa doorkruist, 70 evenementen georganiseerd en 14 voertuigen gepresenteerd die uitsluitend op brandstoffen uit hernieuwbare bronnen rijden. Met de steun van 28 partners heeft het initiatief aangetoond hoe beschikbare oplossingen van vandaag al tastbare voordelen voor het klimaat opleveren en heeft het de dialoog over klimaatvriendelijkere vervoersoplossingen gestimuleerd. Op drie routes door Europa reden drie BMW-modellen uitsluitend op HVO 100 (ook wel XTL genoemd) of benzine met een aandeel hernieuwbare grondstoffen. Tijdens de tournee in juni werden evenementen georganiseerd in München, Wenen, Rome en Berlijn, waarbij de rol van BMW in het promoten van oplossingen voor decarbonisatie werd benadrukt.

Een duidelijke boodschap aan Brussel: we hebben elke technologie nodig.

Het slotevenement van de Tour d'Europe versterkte een centrale boodschap: om koolstofneutraliteit in het vervoer te bereiken, moeten alle haalbare technologieën worden toegepast. Om concrete vooruitgang te boeken, moet Europa de invoering van wat nu al werkt, versnellen.

Technologische openheid is onvermijdelijk.

De BMW Group benadrukte de noodzaak van oplossingen in plaats van verboden. Het bedrijf blijft investeren in een breed scala aan technologische opties – van batterij-elektrische voertuigen en plug-in hybrides tot waterstofbrandstofcellen en zeer efficiënte verbrandingsmotoren die worden aangedreven door brandstoffen uit hernieuwbare bronnen.

De BMW Group heeft haar voertuigen al jarenlang getest voor een reeks brandstoffen uit hernieuwbare bronnen, waaronder HVO 100, B10 en synthetische brandstoffen (eFuels) volgens de EN590-norm voor dieselmotoren, en E25 en synthetische brandstoffen (eFuels) volgens de EN228-norm voor benzinemotoren.

Sinds begin 2025 worden alle in Duitsland geproduceerde BMW-dieselmodellen geleverd met HVO100 – een biodiesel op basis van hoogwaardige hernieuwbare grondstoffen die de CO2-uitstoot gedurende de levenscyclus met tot 90% vermindert, zonder dat aanpassingen aan het voertuig of de infrastructuur nodig zijn. Dit initiatief onderstreept het streven van BMW om vandaag al een schaalbare en concrete decarbonisatie te realiseren.

De regelgeving moet een inhaalslag maken.

Terwijl de technologie en de industrie zich ontwikkelen, is de regelgeving nog niet klaar. Om de acceptatie van brandstoffen uit hernieuwbare bronnen op de bredere markt te versnellen, roept het bedrijf op tot een ambitieuze implementatie van de richtlijn inzake hernieuwbare energie (RED III), met inbegrip van nationale quota die een vermindering van ten minste 30 % van de broeikasgassen uit transportbrandstoffen voorschrijven, die nog dit jaar in nationale wetgeving moeten worden omgezet. Bovendien pleit BMW voor een prestatiegericht regelgevingskader dat meetbare CO2-reducties beloont. Voertuigen op “koolstofneutrale brandstof” (CNF), zoals die tijdens de Tour werden gepresenteerd, moeten formeel worden erkend in de EU-wetgeving inzake wagenparken.

De technologieën zijn aanwezig, de brandstoffen zijn beschikbaar. Wat we nu nodig hebben, is regelgevende zekerheid zodat innovatie zich kan ontwikkelen.

Meer informatie op tourdeurope.eu

De BMW Group

De BMW Group is met haar merken BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce en BMW Motorrad de voornaamste constructeur ter wereld van premium-wagens en motorfietsen en aanbieder van hoogstaande financiële diensten en mobiliteitsdiensten. Het productienetwerk van BMW Group omvat meer dan 30 productielocaties wereldwijd. De onderneming heeft een wereldwijd verkoopnetwerk met vertegenwoordigers in meer dan 140 landen.

In 2024 verkocht de BMW Group wereldwijd meer dan 2,45 miljoen auto's en meer dan 210.000 motorfietsen. Het resultaat voor belastingen in het boekjaar 2024 bedroeg € 11,0 miljard en de omzet € 142,4 miljard. Op 31 december 2024 telde de onderneming wereldwijd 159.104 werknemers.

Langetermijndenken en verantwoordelijk handelen waren altijd al de basis van het economisch succes van de BMW Group. Duurzaamheid is een belangrijk onderdeel van de bedrijfsstrategie van BMW Group, van de toeleveringsketen over de productie tot het einde van de levenscyclus van alle producten.

www.bmwgroup.com  

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/

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+++ Langetermijnpartnerschap met SK tes +++ Hoogspanningsbatterijen worden gerecycleerd, waarbij de teruggewonnen secundaire grondstoffen worden teruggevoerd in de waardeketen +++ Gesloten kringloop voor kobalt, nikkel en lithium +++ Wereldwijde uitrol gepland +++

//

München. Nu elektrische mobiliteit terrein wint, staat het recycleren van hoogspanningsbatterijen steeds meer in de belangstelling. Na de succesvolle lancering van een closed-loop-recyclagesysteem voor het hergebruik van grondstoffen uit hoogspanningsbatterijen dankzij de BMW Brilliance Automotive Joint Venture (BBA) in China in 2022, heeft de BMW Group nu een nieuwe mijlpaal bereikt. Op 1 november 2024 lanceerde ze een pan-Europese samenwerking met SK tes, een toonaangevende leverancier van innovatieve technologische levenscyclusoplossingen. Het speciale recyclageproces recupereert kobalt, nikkel en lithium uit gebruikte batterijen en voert deze stoffen terug naar de waardeketen om er nieuwe batterijen van te maken. Het is de bedoeling dat dit geslotenlussysteem al in 2026 wordt uitgebreid naar de regio VS-Mexico-Canada.

Door de langdurige samenwerking met SK tes is de BMW Group direct betrokken bij de praktische recyclageprocessen, zodat waardevolle inzichten kunnen worden teruggekoppeld naar de ontwikkelingsafdelingen. Hoogspanningsbatterijen uit de ontwikkeling, productie en markten van de BMW Group in Europa die niet langer geschikt zijn voor gebruik, worden geleverd aan SK tes. Dat is de eerste stap op weg naar een effectieve en duurzame circulaire economie voor batterijen. SK tes zet de oude batterijen vervolgens om in hoogwaardige metalen die opnieuw in de batterijproductie kunnen worden gebruikt. Bij dit laatste proces worden de batterijen mechanisch versnipperd, waarbij de metalen worden geconcentreerd tot een materiaal dat zwarte massa wordt genoemd. De waardevolle materialen, namelijk nikkel, lithium en kobalt, worden vervolgens teruggewonnen in een zeer effectief chemisch proces dat hydrometallurgie wordt genoemd. Deze secundaire grondstoffen zullen onder andere worden gebruikt voor de nieuwe aandrijflijn van de zesde generatie.

“Samenwerkingsverbanden als deze vergroten onze efficiëntie op het gebied van de circulaire economie. In het geslotenlusproces profiteren alle partners van elkaars ervaringen”, zegt Jörg Lederbauer, Vice President Circular Economy, Spare Parts Supply High Voltage Battery and Electric Powertrain bij BMW AG. 

Het batterijrecyclageproces van SK tes heeft wereldwijd talloze duurzaamheids- en innovatieprijzen gewonnen – van de Business Intelligence Group’s Sustainability Service of the Year tot de Apex Award van het UN Global Compact.

Circulaire economie bij de BMW Group

“De bevordering van de circulaire economie is een belangrijk strategisch thema voor de BMW Group. De ontwikkeling van recycleerbare producten, de toename van secundaire materialen in onze componenten en het sluiten van kringlopen spelen een even belangrijke rol”, zegt Nadine Philipp, Vice President Sustainability Supplier Network bij BMW AG. “En door middel van de circulaire economie vergroten we ook onze veerkracht in de toeleveringsketens.”

De BMW Group volgt de principes van Re:Think, Re:Duce, Re:Use en Re:Cycle in de zin van het behoud van hulpbronnen wat betreft de circulaire economie. Van het ontwerp en de productie van wagens tot recyclage en hergebruik: alles is erop gericht om ervoor te zorgen dat BMW wagens een bron van grondstoffen worden voor nieuwe wagens zodra ze het einde van hun nuttige levensduur hebben bereikt. Een voorbeeld hiervan is het recyclage- en demontagecentrum van de BMW Group. Over een periode van 30 jaar heeft het centrum processen ontwikkeld en in de praktijk gebracht, waardoor belangrijke vooruitgang is geboekt in het recycleren van onderdelen en materialen.

De BMW Group

De BMW Group is met haar merken BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce en BMW Motorrad de voornaamste constructeur ter wereld van premium-wagens en motorfietsen en aanbieder van hoogstaande financiële diensten en mobiliteitsdiensten. Het productienetwerk van BMW Group omvat meer dan 30 productielocaties wereldwijd. De onderneming heeft een wereldwijd verkoopnetwerk met vertegenwoordigers in meer dan 140 landen.

In 2023 verkocht de BMW Group wereldwijd meer dan 2,55 miljoen auto's en meer dan 209.000 motorfietsen. Het resultaat voor belastingen in het boekjaar 2023 bedroeg € 17,1 miljard en de omzet € 155,5 miljard. Op 31 december 2023 telde de onderneming wereldwijd 154.950 werknemers.

Langetermijndenken en verantwoordelijk handelen waren altijd al de basis van het economisch succes van de BMW Group. Duurzaamheid is een belangrijk onderdeel van de bedrijfsstrategie van BMW Group, van de toeleveringsketen over de productie tot het einde van de levenscyclus van alle producten.

www.bmwgroup.com

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+++ Mechanisch proces zonder traditionele chemische of thermische bewerking +++ Methode intern ontwikkeld door BMW Group +++ Batterijcel expertise gebundeld in Bayern +++

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Munich. The BMW Group is building a Cell Recycling Competence Centre (CRCC) for battery cells in Kirchroth, in the Straubing-Bogen district of Lower Bavaria, where it will implement a process referred to as “direct recycling”. This innovative procedure enables residual materials from battery cell production, as well as whole battery cells, to be mechanically dismantled into their valuable components. The recovered raw materials are then directly reused in pilot production of battery cells at the company’s own Battery Cell Competence Centres.

“The new Cell Recycling Competence Centre brings another element to our in-house expertise: From development and pilot production to recycling, we are creating a closed loop for battery cells,” says Markus Fallböhmer, SVP Battery Production at BMW AG, “taking advantage of the short distances between our Competence Centres in Bavaria.” The BMW Group is investing around 10 million euros in construction of the new Competence Centre. Installation work at the building is already scheduled to begin in the second half of 2025. Once completed, validation of the recycling method in near-series processes will get underway.

Innovative direct recycling recovers valuable raw materials

Battery cell raw materials – primarily lithium and cobalt, but also graphite, manganese, nickel and copper – are among the main cost factors in cell production. Responsible use of these resources is essential from both environmental and economic perspectives. “The direct recycling will help reducing the costs for our battery cell pilot line”, explains Fallböhmer. Unlike conventional methods, the main characteristic of direct recycling is that raw materials from battery cells are not reverted to their original state, but are instead fed back “directly” into the cell production cycle. This method dispenses with the previously common energy-intensive chemical or thermal processing. The recycling method was developed by BMW Group experts at the Competence Centres in Munich and Parsdorf. At the new CRCC, it will be implemented on a larger scale and, once the processes are finalised, battery cell material in the mid-double-digit tonne range can be recycled per year.

Optimal location for new Competence Centre in Bavaria

The BMW Group consolidates its battery cell expertise at its Competence Centres in Munich and Parsdorf. The Battery Cell Competence Centre (BCCC) in the north of Munich offers state-of-the-art labs and research facilities for developing the battery cells for next-generation high-voltage batteries and producing them in small quantities. The most promising battery cell from the BCCC will be scaled up for series processes on a pilot line at the Cell Manufacturing Competence Centre (CMCC) in Parsdorf. Once completed, recycling of surplus material from pilot production in Parsdorf will take place at the new Competence Centre in Kirchroth. The recovered raw materials will then be reused in cell production in Parsdorf. This ensures short distances between all Competence Centres and prevents valuable raw materials from being lost. Following on from the BCCC and CMCC, the CRCC thus represents the next step in the BMW Group’s battery cell strategy on the road to the circular economy.

Joint venture operates Competence Center, intellectual property at the BMW Group

The new CRCC, spanning an area of 2,200 m², will be integrated into the expansion of an existing building in the Kirchroth-Nord industrial park, near Straubing. Electrical energy from the discharged cells will be captured in energy storage systems within the building and used to operate the recycling systems. The energy concept will be rounded out by photovoltaic systems installed on the roof of the building. While the intellectual property for the recycling method is fully owned by the BMW Group – the Competence Centre will be built and operated by Encory GmbH. As a joint venture of the BMW Group and Interzero Group, Encory develops and implements logistics and consulting solutions in areas such as collection, recycling, and remanufacturing of vehicle components. Both partners hold a 50% stake in the company. Around 20 people will be employed in the new Competence Center.

Circular economy at the BMW Group

The BMW Group views the circular economy as one of the key issues in designing more resource-efficient vehicles. The premise is to optimize the circularity of materials. This means resources are not lost, but retain their value for long-term use. The BMW Group applies the principles of Re:Think, Re:Duce, Re:Use and Re:Cycle. From vehicle design and production, to recycling and reuse, everything is geared towards ensuring cars can serve as a source of raw materials for new vehicles at the end of their use phase. Recycling focuses, in particular, on the use of innovative methods to recover high-voltage batteries from electrified vehicles.

+++ Gebruik van waterstof in intralogistiek - levering van onderdelen aan alle productiezones door sleeptreinen en vorkheftrucks op waterstof +++ Geleidelijke overgang van elektrische naar waterstofaandrijving tegen 2030 +++

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Regensburg. BMW Group Plant Regensburg plans to utilise hydrogen for its production logistics going forward. Starting in 2026, hydrogen-powered tugger trains and forklift trucks will be deployed for all transport and logistics tasks. This includes operations in the press shop, body shop and assembly, ensuring that the necessary components and individual parts are delivered to the correct locations for installation.

The project aims to capitalise on the benefits of hydrogen propulsion. “The gradual transition from electric to hydrogen propulsion brings us another step closer to the BMW iFACTORY, our digital and sustainable factory of the future,” says Armin Ebner, head of BMW Group Plant Regensburg.

“Switching production logistics from electricity to hydrogen will diversify our plant’s energy mix – while optimising logistics processes and saving valuable space,” explains Project Manager Katharina Radtke. “The advantage of hydrogen is that refuelling is very fast – just like with conventional fuels. The filling stations required for this will be installed directly within the different production areas and do not take up much space.”

The entire logistics fleet at the Regensburg plant is currently being equipped with electric drive trains. The batteries used in the industrial trucks need to be changed twice per shift. Battery replacement, which is performed manually using a crane, takes about 15 minutes and requires space.

To ensure the wide-scale supply of hydrogen in the future, BMW Group plant Regensburg will install a two-kilometre-long pipeline network, with six decentralised filling stations, between now and early 2026. These stations will supply the logistics fleet in the various production areas with hydrogen, delivered in special trailers that can also be used for interim storage. “Once the conversion is completed, our annual hydrogen consumption will be around 150 tonnes,” says Radtke.

The logistics fleet at BMW Group Plant Regensburg currently comprises about 230 tugger train haulers and forklift trucks. The transition will be completed in stages by 2030.


BMW Group Corporate Communications

Christian Dürrschmidt, Communications Regensburg
Cell phone: +49 151 6060 5194
Email: Christian.Duerrschmidt@bmw.de

Saskia Graser, head of Communications Regensburg and Wackersdorf
Cell phone: +49 151 6060 2014
Email: Saskia.Graser@bmw.de

Media website: https://newsroom.bmwgroup.com/global/en

Email: presse@bmw.de


BMW Group Plants Regensburg and Wackersdorf

The BMW Group has viewed itself for decades as the benchmark for production technology and operational excellence in vehicle construction – including at its locations in Regensburg and Wackersdorf. The BMW Group vehicle plant in Regensburg has been in operation since 1986 and is one of more than 30 BMW Group production locations worldwide. A total of up to 1,400 vehicles of the BMW X1 and BMW X2 models come off the production line at Plant Regensburg every workday – destined for customers all over the world. Different types of drive trains are flexibly manufactured on a single production line – from vehicles with internal combustion engines to plug-in hybrids, to fully-electric models.

High-voltage batteries for the electric models built in Regensburg are also produced locally, in direct proximity to the vehicle plant. They are assembled at the electric component production facility, which opened in 2021 at the Leibnizstrasse location.

BMW Innovation Park Wackersdorf also belongs to the Regensburg site. The 55-hectare campus built in the 1980s was originally intended as a nuclear reprocessing facility. The BMW Group has located its cockpit production there, as well as its parts supply for overseas plants. In addition to BMW as the largest employer, several other companies are also based at Innovation Park Wackersdorf. A total of around 2,500 employees work there.
The BMW Group core staff at the Regensburg and Wackersdorf locations in eastern Bavaria is made up of around 9,250 employees, including more than 300 apprentices.


www.bmwgroup-werke.com/regensburg/de.html

+++ BMW Group Fabriek Dingolfing en BMW Group Fabriek Regensburg gaan hun eigen stroom opwekken met zonne-energie, rechtstreeks van hun eigen daken vanaf 2025 +++ Totaal geïnstalleerd vermogen van 14 MWp +++

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Dingolfing/Regensburg. BMW Group Plants Dingolfing and Regensburg will obtain electricity generated from renewable energy directly from their own roofs. Dingolfing’s rooftop PV system, with a capacity of 11.1 MWp, will be one of the most powerful in Germany. To achieve this objective, the premium automotive manufacturer is renting roof space at its two plant sites in Eastern Bavaria to Sunrock Holding Deutschland GmbH, which will generate electricity using photovoltaics and make it available to the plants under direct supply contracts from 2025 onwards.

Nicole Haft-Zboril, head of BMW Group Real Estate Management, underlined that: “With this project, we are not only creating one of Germany's biggest rooftop photovoltaic systems – we are also promoting the generation of renewable energy directly on site at BMW Group plant locations.”

In Dingolfing, photovoltaic modules cover more than 100,000 square metres of hall roof space, with an additional area of over 25,000 square metres installed in Regensburg. Together, the systems are designed to achieve an output of 14 MWp. The annual renewable electricity output is estimated at 11.3 GWh for Dingolfing and 2.9 GWh for Regensburg, which corresponds to the annual electricity needs of several thousand single-family homes.

Georg Brenninkmeijer, managing director of Sunrock Germany, said: “It is such an honour for us to collaborate with a renowned automotive company like BMW. In a sector with high energy demands, like many other industries, it is crucial to develop localised solutions to ensure a sustainable energy supply. We are delighted to start installing the PV systems in Dingolfing and Regensburg soon, which will supply the two BMW Group plants with locally produced green solar power in the future.”

The planned photovoltaic systems are scheduled to be commissioned and start supplying electricity in Regensburg as early as spring 2025, with Dingolfing targeting autumn of next year. Work will get underway at both locations in the coming months. In Dingolfing, the modules will be installed on the roof of one of the central aftersales logistics halls – the Plant 02.70 “Dynamics Centre” – while Regensburg will utilise the roof area of one of its logistics halls.

If you have any questions, please contact:

Julian Friedrich, BMW Group Plant Dingolfing, head of Communications

Telephone: +49 8731 76 22020, Email: Julian.Friedrich@bmw.de

Saskia Graser, BMW Group Plant Regensburg, head of Communications

Telephone: +49 941 770 2014, Email: Saskia.Graser@bmw.de

+++ Groene stroom en stadsverwarming op basis van lokaal geproduceerde houtsnippers +++ Aangekondigd voor 2025, eerder dan gepland geïntroduceerd in september 2024 +++ Arnold Schwarzenegger en Milan Nedeljković voeren een symbolische energieswitch uit +++

Steyr. BMW Group Plant Steyr is switching entirely to district heating for warmth: in regular operations the Austrian engine facility now no longer uses natural gas, relying instead on heat from a nearby biomass powerplant. In a symbolic act, Milan Nedeljković, Board Member for Production at BMW AG, and Arnold Schwarzenegger turned on the new power supply. The change of energy source marks yet another step in the BMW Group’s efforts to reduce its carbon footprint.

Milan Nedeljković, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Production: “We are optimising the carbon footprint of all our production facilities worldwide, using innovative technologies and the potential of the local area to generate energy from fossil fuel-free sources. Today, we are setting a new milestone here in Steyr.”

Consistent reductions in energy consumption

BMW Group Plant Steyr uses around 250 gigawatt hours of energy a year – enough to power about 59,000 homes. Over the last few years, energy consumption has fallen steadily: “Since 2006 we have succeeded in almost halving the amount of energy we use per engine,” explained Plant Director Klaus von Moltke.

Heat supplies play a particularly important role in all of this: “The plant was first connected to the district heating grid in 2012. Since then, there have been multiple expansions,” Klaus von Moltke continued. The transition to purely district heating was expected to reach completion at the turn of the year 2024-2025 but has now been realised two and a half months earlier.

Where the heat comes from: regional district heating from wood chips

The switch would not have been possible without a strong partner in the region: BMW Group Plant Steyr now sources its heat from the biomass powerplant of Fernwärme Steyr, just under a kilometre away. This is operated by the state’s two energy providers – Energie AG Oberösterreich Erzeugung GmbH and EVN Wärme GmbH – in their joint subsidiary, Bioenergie Steyr GmbH. To provide the heat energy that Plant Steyr needs, an additional heat generation plant with a 10-megawatt biomass boiler is being erected at the site. So, Plant Steyr will source its heat from renewable resources: wood chips from the surrounding forests.

Klaus von Moltke summarised the situation saying: “By switching to 100 percent heat from regenerative biomass, we are taking a major step today. Our plant now sources both its electricity and its heat for regular operations from renewables.”

Today’s symbolic energy switch took place on stage as more than a thousand employees looked on. In his keynote speech Arnold Schwarzenegger called on everyone present to act on climate change. He then shut down the plant’s gas supply. Milan Nedeljković, Board Member for Production at BMW AG, then symbolically turned on the final expansion to the district heating supply.

Arnold Schwarzenegger then joined Klaus von Moltke and Milan Nedeljcović for a tour of the training and education centre, engine assembly and BMW Group Plant Steyr’s recently opened electric motor production line, chatting with employees as he went.

Na 50 auto’s schenkt BMW ook motoren aan technische scholen

BMW Group Belux schenkt 6 gloednieuwe BMW-motorfietsen aan technische scholen uit heel België. De motoren, inclusief alle opties goed voor een cataloguswaarde van zo’n 100.000 euro, vinden op die manier hun weg naar klaslokalen en zorgen ervoor dat kandidaat-technici kunnen werken met de nieuwste technologie.

//

‘De schenkingen zijn een win-winsituatie’, legt algemeen directeur Christian Lambert van BMW Motorrad Belux uit: ‘Scholen krijgen nieuw materiaal, wat de kwaliteit van de opleiding verbetert. Ook voor de studenten is het fijner om te werken met de nieuwste technologie. Wij van onze kant zorgen ervoor dat onze dealers stagiairs – en later nieuwe collega’s - krijgen die al vertrouwd zijn met de BMW-motorfietsen.’

Het is de eerste keer dan BMW Group Belux motorfietsen schenkt aan technische scholen, maar het bedrijf heeft al een lange traditie van samenwerkingen met scholen. In de afgelopen drie jaar schonk BMW Group Belux al liefst 50 nieuwe auto’s aan scholen en onderwijsinstellingen in de Belux.

De scholen die dit jaar een motor in ontvangst nemen zijn Don Bosco uit Hoboken, HEPL en IFAPME uit Luik, EFP uit Ukkel, Thomas More uit Sint-Katelijne-Waver en het Scheppers Instituut uit Wetteren.

Aan de schenking van een BMW auto of motor aan een onderwijsinstelling is typisch een heel leertraject gekoppeld: Zo krijgen leerlingen krijgen informatie van geschoolde BMW-specialisten en krijgen ze toegang tot de nieuwste BMW-diagnosesoftware. Ook een samenwerking met de BMW of BMW Motorrad dealer in de buurt van de scholen zit vervat in het concept. Zo wordt het sleutelen aan een BMW auto of motorfiets gekoppeld aan stageplaatsen bij de lokale dealer.

Meer info over de vacatures bij BMW Group en onze dealers is te vinden op www.werkenbijbmw.be

Munich / Hanover. The BMW Group showcased current fields of application for the Catena-X data ecosystem at the Hannover Messe on Wednesday. Working together with partners and suppliers, the company has modelled a complete data chain for the first time using real-world CO₂ data from the manufacture of the iconic kidney grille on the BMW iX. The company also demonstrated the benefits of data-driven quality work. 

“We – the BMW Group and our partners – will use the radical new collaboration approach embodied by Catena-X to improve our value creation processes within the context of sustainability, supply security and quality – and at the same time reduce costs,” announced Oliver Ganser, Vice President Digitalisation of the Purchasing and Supplier Network at the BMW Group and Chairman of the Board of Catena-X e.V., at the Hannover Messe. “The more national and international companies come on board, the greater the added value for all concerned,” added Ganser.

Catena-X makes its debut in production.
At BMW Group Plant Landshut, the company is piloting data-based energy consumption measurement in the manufacture of a whole component for the first time. “Together with our partners, we are using the Catena-X data ecosystem to calculate the product carbon footprint (PCF) of the kidney grille on the BMW iX,” explained Sabrina Schrangl, Project Lead Catena-X BMW Group Component Manufacturing. The iconic kidney grille on the BMW iX serves as an optimum application example here due to its complexity.

The PCF is calculated based on the Catena-X rulebook and covers all “grade-to-gate” emissions generated during the product’s manufacture – starting with the extraction of the raw materials, through the emissions generated in the supply chain to the manufacturing processes at the production facility. Here, the partners use the Catena-X-certified CO₂ application from Siemens AG, which enables data exchange (based on the Catena-X calculation logic) and connectivity between Plant Landshut and high-performance plastics supplier Covestro AG.

Looking further ahead, the aim will be to record all data until the end of the life cycle (cradle-to-grave) and so enable a circular economy across industries over the long term.

Catena-X enables improved quality at the BMW Group by using a data-driven instead of hardware-based approach.
By introducing a shared “language” for all companies in the automotive value chain, the data ecosystem enables smooth exchange of data. Catena-X members can use this data in their quality assurance processes to carry out an early-warning analysis based on field data. At present, the BMW Group exchanges data with Robert Bosch GmbH on the particle sensor and steering gear, among other things. In this way, patterns and anomalies can be identified up to four months earlier, often before an error or fault occurs. In the future, we will look to replace alternative cooperation channels with Catena-X in order to enable rapid, resource-efficient implementation in the area of quality assurance.

Munich/New York. Today, on World Children’s Day, the BMW Group and UNICEF are announcing their long-term partnership under the slogan “BRIDGE. Educating young people for tomorrow, today.”

The partnership will contribute to UNICEF’s global aim to reach 10 million children and young people each year through education. The BMW Group’s long-term support, with an initial commitment over seven years, will help provide science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) education and skills development to children and young people in Africa, Asia and Central and South America. 

STEM-related jobs are the engine of global economic growth, yet millions of these jobs are projected to go unfilled due to a gap in skills. The problem is more acute in low- and middle-income countries and much more prevalent among girls and women. Today, women constitute a minority in both STEM education and careers, representing only 28 per cent of engineering graduates, 22 per cent of artificial intelligence workers and less than one third of tech sector employees globally.

“Young people around the world have the power and creativity to influence societies for the better,” says Georg Graf Waldersee, Chairman of the Board at UNICEF Germany. “We need to empower and support them so they can become the innovators and change makers of tomorrow. Because sustainable transformation and the path to a fairer, safer world begin where young minds come together and discover their potential – in classrooms or working labs. We are proud and grateful that the BMW Group is accompanying and supporting us on this journey as a strong private sector partner.”

“At the BMW Group, we believe that education is the engine that drives the development of our society,” states Ilka Horstmeier, Member of the Board of Management at BMW AG, People and Real Estate, Labour Relations Director. “With UNICEF, we have a long-standing partner at our side who shares this opinion. Therefore, I am beyond delighted that we are joining forces with our global collaboration over the long term from now on. Together, we will bridge the gap between schooling and working life as well as enable the transfer of knowledge.” 

Ilka Horstmeier continues: “With our multinational workforce on five continents, we consider ourselves as a true corporate citizen. It is not only important for us to be engaged on a global level, but also on a local one. That’s why, together with UNICEF, we get involved at the BMW Group sites worldwide. Additionally, it is great that we can give our diverse network of stakeholders the chance to engage and participate in the partnership to ensure basic education for children in crisis situations.”

Following the launch of the collaboration between the BMW Group and UNICEF in South Africa in 2023, the partnership will be expanded in 2024 to Brazil, China, India, Mexico and Thailand – all of which have programme needs and have BMW Group presence. The collaboration will support programmes ranging from providing laboratory equipment to developing a customized teacher training curriculum, and from mentorships to job-shadowing. With this in mind, the BMW Group is not only providing financial support amounting to two million euros each year until 2030, but also contributing its own expertise and network. 

In addition, in 2024, the BMW Group will join forces with its global network of affiliates and with the involvement of stakeholders to raise funds to support the UNICEF’s work in emergencies and protracted crisis thereby ensuring continuity of children’s learning in safe environments.

For further information, please contact:

BMW Group Corporate Communications
Milena Pighi
Spokesperson Corporate Citizenship
Email: milena.pa.pighi@bmw.de
Telephone: +49-89-382-66563

Bernd Eckstein
Head of Communications Human Resources, Working Environment, Real Estate, Corporate Citizenship
Email: bernd.eckstein@bmw.de
Telephone: +49-89-382-59490

Media website: https://newsroom.bmwgroup.com/global/en
Email: presse@bmwgroup.com

UNICEF
Laila Ali
UNICEF Geneva
Email: laali@unicef.org
Telephone: + 41 76 784 65 32

Leipzig. The start of MINI Countryman production marks a number of firsts and milestones for BMW Group Plant Leipzig: for the first time, a MINI model is being made in Germany – on the same production line as the BMW 1 Series and 2 Series. It’s all made possible by the plant’s flexible structures and development. Over the last five years the BMW Group has invested €700 million to ready Leipzig for increased vehicle volumes and adapt it for MINI-specific requirements. By the end of 2024 the workforce in production will increase by over 900. In addition, the new MINI Countryman is a catalyst for innovations in sustainable production.

“By launching production of the MINI Countryman here in Leipzig, we are introducing multibrand operations to our flexible production system,” explained Milan Nedeljković, Board Member for Production. “Plant Leipzig also offers a number of highlights in terms of resource conservation in production, providing further evidence of the successful rollout of our long-term masterplan: the BMW iFACTORY.”

Seamless integration through flexible structures 

When it comes to production of the new MINI Countryman, the BMW Group is building on the skills and extreme flexibility of Plant Leipzig to forge new pathways in manufacturing. Seamlessly integrated into the production process, the MINI Countryman now rolls off the same assembly line as the BMW 1 Series, BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé and BMW 2 Series Active Tourer.

Thanks to its flexible assembly structures, Plant Leipzig is in a position to produce two brands with three different drives – combustion, plug-in-hybrid and fully electric – all on the same production line. The third-generation MINI Countryman will be available with a petrol, diesel or fully electric powertrain, with the high-voltage batteries for the MINI Countryman Electric also being made in Leipzig. It will reach dealerships on 17 February 2024.

Investments and recruitment to increase production volume

The BMW Group has invested some €500 million in Leipzig to increase production volume for new models. Since 2018 the bodyshop, paintshop, assembly and logistics have undergone extensive additions and upgrades, taking production capacity up from 250,000 units previously, to as much as 350,000 units a year at present.

To adapt the production system to MINI-specific requirements, the BMW Group invested around €200 million. Initially approx. 100 MINI Countryman cars a day will roll off the production lines, rising to 500 during the course of next year – in addition to the almost 1,000 BMW cars already coming out of the factory every day. This will not only secure existing jobs but also create up to 900 new ones in vehicle production alone.

Electromobility and MINI production drive development

Another important milestone in the development and extension of Plant Leipzig is its transition to electromobility. “Leipzig remains electric,” says a cheerful Petra Peterhänsel, Plant Director. “With the BMW i3 and i8, we were at the vanguard of e-mobility at the BMW Group, and from 2024, we will be producing our next fully electric car: the MINI Countryman Electric. We will manufacture the high-voltage batteries for it in-house as well.”

Starting next year BMW Group Plant Leipzig will run the entire production process for the current fifth generation of high-voltage batteries. This consists of three stages: cell coating, module production and battery assembly. The five cell coating lines, three module production lines and the first high-voltage battery assembly lines are all in the process of going into operation, with a second high-voltage battery assembly line scheduled for launch in 2024.

Capacity for e-component production has also been increasing, since 2021, making Plant Leipzig an important a supplier across the BMW production network. The parts are used in fully electric vehicles such as the BMW iX1, BMW i4, BMW i5 and BMW iX. E-component production in Leipzig currently employs over 800 people, and there are plans to develop it further, with investments totalling more than €800 million.

Sustainable materials and production 

The MINI Countryman Electric is a major step in the MINI brand’s transition to full electrification by 2030 and combines an electrified go-kart feel with a reduced environmental footprint. In developing the new model, the MINI brand’s responsible attitude was very much in the focus with regard to materials and production: chrome no longer features anywhere in the interior or exterior, and the light-metal alloy wheels are cast from up to 70 percent secondary aluminium. The permanently electrically excited synchronous motors are highly efficient and made entirely without rare earth minerals.

The interior is made purely from innovative, high-quality materials that are easy on the environment. The dashboard, door facias, floor covering and foot mats, for example, are made of recycled textiles. A high-quality alternative to conventional materials such as plastics, recycled textiles reduce CO₂ emissions along the value chain and require less water to manufacture.

Innovative painting method for contrast roof 

One of the striking design features of the MINI exterior is the contrast roof, which can be ordered in a different colour from the rest of the body. In the MINI Countryman it will be painted using a new, resource-friendly method known as overspray-free painting. Currently being readied for series operation, overspray-free painting does away with the excess paint – or overspray – generated by conventional painting methods and makes surfaces with more than one colour easier to produce, as they no longer require the laborious process of masking. Overspray-free painting also helps save CO₂ emissions, as exhaust air from the cabin requires less cleansing. Plus it requires considerably less conditioned air, i.e. air that is brought to a set temperature and humidity. As a result, less energy is needed to temper air and treat exhaust.

Another sustainable innovation operating at Plant Leipzig is the burner technology used to dry the paint on contrast roofs. Last year Leipzig became the first car plant in the world to pilot the new technology, which can run on not only natural gas but also hydrogen. The flexible burners can burn hydrogen (H2), natural gas (methane – CH4) or a mixture of the two and can even switch between them without having to halt operations. After successful tests, Plant Leipzig has now installed five hydrogen-capable bivalent burners for series operations, which are now being used for the contrast roof of the MINI Countryman. Plans are in place to convert further burners in the paintshop to bivalent operations.

Plant Leipzig – Built for sustainability

At Plant Leipzig, the focus has always been very much on efficient processes and a long-term strategy for energy generation and consumption, ever since planning began. “Sustainability is in the DNA of BMW Group Plant Leipzig. There’s one example that everyone can see: our four wind turbines, which generate electricity for the plant,” Petra Peterhänsel explained. They were erected in 2013 and deliver 10 MW (generating approx.  25 GWh/year). The second milestone came in 2017, when the battery storage farm went on stream. Equipped with up to 700 second-life high-voltage batteries from BMW i3 vehicles, it offers interim electricity storage for energy from the wind turbines and elsewhere, helping to optimise local energy management and stabilise the grid.

“Our vision at Plant Leipzig is to decarbonise production as far as possible by replacing fossil fuels with green hydrogen,” said Petra Peterhänsel, explaining the long-term focus of the facility. This will require sufficient green hydrogen from a grid. A regional hydrogen grid is currently in planning, with Plant Leipzig set to benefit.

CO2 EMISSIONS & CONSUMPTION.

+++ Er werd een belangrijke stap gezet: voor het eerst leveren proefwagens in de praktijk waardevolle kennis op voor de toekomst. +++ De weg wordt vrijgemaakt voor potentiële massaproductie +++

//

München / Antwerpen. De BMW Group presenteert internationale mediavertegenwoordigers de eerste voertuigen van een proefvloot die dit jaar in gebruik zal worden genomen. Na vier jaar ontwikkelingswerk gaat het BMW iX5 waterstof voertuig- en ontwikkelingsproject zijn kritische volgende fase in.

De vloot van minder dan 100 auto’s zal dan internationaal worden ingezet voor demonstratie- en testdoeleinden voor verschillende doelgroepen. Deze actieve rijervaring zal daarom de eerste kans zijn voor mensen die niet betrokken zijn bij het ontwikkelingsproces om een directe indruk te krijgen van wat de BMW iX5 Hydrogen te bieden heeft.

"Waterstof is een veelzijdige energiebron die een sleutelrol speelt in het energietransitieproces en daarmee in de klimaatbescherming. Het is immers één van de meest efficiënte manieren om hernieuwbare energie op te slaan en te transporteren", aldus Oliver Zipse, voorzitter van het Board of Management van BMW AG.  "We moeten dit potentieel gebruiken om ook de transformatie van de mobiliteitssector te versnellen. Waterstof is het ontbrekende stukje in de puzzel als het gaat om emissievrije mobiliteit. Eén technologie alleen zal niet voldoende zijn om wereldwijd klimaatneutrale mobiliteit mogelijk te maken."

De BMW iX5 Hydrogen.

De BMW iX5 Hydrogen ontwikkeld op basis van de huidige BMW X5 werd voor het eerst onthuld als concept op de IAA show in 2019. De eerste prototypes werden vervolgens op de IAA Mobility 2021 beschikbaar gesteld voor bezoekers om als shuttle-auto in actie te ervaren.

Het waterstof-brandstofcelsysteem is een verder bewijs van de toonaangevende ontwikkelingsexpertise van BMW Group op het gebied van elektrische aandrijftechnologieën. De BMW Group zet systematisch vaart achter de ontwikkeling van waterstof-brandstofceltechnologie als extra optie voor lokaal emissievrije individuele mobiliteit in de toekomst.

BMW's technologische expertise.

De BMW Group produceert de uiterst efficiënte brandstofcelsystemen voor de proefvloot in zijn eigen competentiecentrum voor waterstof in München. Deze technologie is één van de kernelementen in de BMW iX5 Hydrogen en genereert een hoog continu vermogen van 125 kW/170 pk.

In de brandstofcel vindt een chemische reactie plaats tussen gasvormige waterstof uit de tanks en zuurstof uit de lucht. De constante toevoer van beide elementen naar het membraan van de brandstofcel is van cruciaal belang voor de efficiëntie van het aandrijfsysteem. Naast de technologische equivalenten van voorzieningen die in verbrandingsmotoren te vinden zijn, zoals laadluchtkoelers, luchtfilters, regeleenheden en sensoren, ontwikkelde de BMW Group ook speciale waterstofcomponenten voor zijn nieuwe brandstofcelsysteem. Daartoe behoren bijvoorbeeld de hogesnelheidscompressor met turbine en de hoogspanningskoelvloeistofpomp.

De BMW Group betrekt de afzonderlijke brandstofcellen van de Toyota Motor Corporation. De twee bedrijven hebben al vele jaren een partnerschap dat wordt gekenmerkt door vertrouwen en werken sinds 2013 samen aan brandstofcelaandrijfsystemen.

Brandstofcelsystemen worden in twee grote stappen vervaardigd, op basis van de afzonderlijke brandstofcellen. De cellen worden eerst geassembleerd tot een brandstofcelstapel. In de volgende stap worden alle andere componenten gemonteerd tot een compleet brandstofcelsysteem.

Het stapelen van de brandstofcellen is grotendeels een volledig geautomatiseerd proces. Nadat de afzonderlijke componenten op eventuele schade zijn gecontroleerd, wordt de stapel met een kracht van vijf ton machinaal samengeperst en in een behuizing geplaatst. De behuizing van de stack wordt vervaardigd in de lichtmetaalgieterij van BMW Group Plant Landshut met behulp van een zandgiettechniek.

Hiervoor wordt gesmolten aluminium gegoten in een mal van verdicht zand vermengd met hars in een proces dat speciaal voor deze kleine serie voertuigen is ontworpen.

De drukplaat, die waterstof en zuurstof aan de brandstofcelstapel levert, is gemaakt van gegoten kunststof onderdelen en gietstukken van een lichte legering, eveneens uit de fabriek in Landshut. De drukplaat vormt een gas- en waterdichte afdichting rond de schoorsteenbehuizing.

De eindassemblage van de brandstofcelpakketten omvat een spanningstest en uitgebreide tests van de chemische reactie in de cellen. Ten slotte worden alle verschillende onderdelen in de assemblageruimte in elkaar gezet om het complete systeem te produceren.

Tijdens deze systeemassemblage worden nog meer onderdelen gemonteerd, zoals de compressor, de anode en kathode van het brandstofcelsysteem, de hoogspanningskoelvloeistofpomp en de kabelboom.

In combinatie met een sterk geïntegreerde aandrijving met BMW eDrive technologie van de vijfde generatie (de elektrische motor, transmissie en vermogenselektronica zijn samengebracht in een compacte behuizing) aan de achteras en een speciaal voor deze auto ontwikkelde vermogensaccu met lithium-ion technologie, kan de aandrijflijn een maximaal vermogen van 295 kW / 401 pk op de weg brengen. In de uitloop- en remfase doet de motor ook dienst als generator, die energie terugvoert naar een vermogensaccu.

Productie in proeffabriek München.

De BMW iX5 Hydrogen wordt gebouwd in de proeffabriek van de BMW Group in zijn onderzoeks- en innovatiecentrum (FIZ) in München. Dit is het raakvlak tussen ontwikkeling en productie, waar elk nieuw model van de merken van de onderneming voor het eerst wordt gemaakt. Ongeveer 900 mensen werken er in de carrosserieafdeling, de assemblage, de modelbouw, de constructie van conceptvoertuigen en de additieve productie.

Zij moeten ervoor zorgen dat zowel het product als het productieproces klaar is voor serieproductie. In het geval van de BMW iX5 Hydrogen hebben specialisten op het gebied van waterstoftechnologie, voertuigontwikkeling en de eerste assemblage van nieuwe modellen nauw samengewerkt om de geavanceerde technologie voor aandrijving en energieopslag te integreren.

Waterstof maakt snel tanken mogelijk.

De waterstof voor de brandstofcel wordt opgeslagen in twee tanks van 700 bar, gemaakt van met koolstofvezel versterkte kunststof (CFRP). Samen bevatten ze bijna zes kilogram waterstof, genoeg om de BMW iX5 Hydrogen een actieradius van 504 km (313 mijl) te geven in de WLTP-cyclus. Het vullen van de waterstoftanks duurt slechts drie tot vier minuten - zo kan de BMW iX5 Hydrogen ook over lange afstanden het rijplezier bieden waar BMW bekend om staat, met slechts enkele, korte stops onderweg.

Overzicht van de technische gegevens, prestaties, verbruik en actieradius van de BMW iX5 Hydrogen:

Maximaal vermogen van de totale aandrijving: 295 kW/401 pk

Continu elektrisch vermogen van het brandstofcelsysteem: 125 kW/170 pk

Maximaal vermogen van de batterij (lithium-ion technologie): 170 kW/231 pk

Maximaal vermogen van de sterk geïntegreerde elektrische aandrijving: 295 kW/401 pk

Inhoud van de waterstoftanks: 6 kg waterstof (gasvormig)

Acceleratie 0-100 km/u (62 mph) < 6 s

Topsnelheid: Meer dan 180 km/u (112 mph)

Waterstofverbruik in de WLTP-cyclus: 1,19 kg/100 km

Actieradius in de WLTP-cyclus: 504 km (313 mijl)

FCEV technologie draagt bij aan decarbonisatie.

De BMW Group is de eerste Duitse autofabrikant die zich heeft aangesloten bij de "Business Ambition for 1.5°C campagne" onder leiding van het Science Based Targets initiatief en streeft naar volledige klimaatneutraliteit in de gehele waardeketen.

De volgende stap in dit proces is het plan van de BMW Group om de CO2-uitstoot per voertuig over de volledige levenscyclus - d.w.z. toeleveringsketen, productie- en gebruiksfase - tegen 2030 met minstens 40% te verminderen ten opzichte van 2019.

De BMW Group verkocht in 2022 wereldwijd meer dan 215.000 volledig elektrische voertuigen, een stijging van bijna 108 procent ten opzichte van het voorgaande jaar. Volledig elektrische voertuigen waren vorig jaar goed voor iets minder dan 9 procent van het totale verkoopvolume, en dit aandeel zal in 2023 toenemen tot 15 procent.

Uiterlijk in 2030 wil de BMW Group een situatie bereiken waarin volledig elektrische voertuigen een aandeel van meer dan 50 procent van de totale verkoop opeisen.

De BMW Group ziet de FCEV-technologie nadrukkelijk als een potentiële aanvulling op de aandrijftechnologie van batterij-elektrische voertuigen.

Waterstof als onderdeel van wereldwijde activiteiten voor CO2-vrije mobiliteit.

Volgens een rapport van het Internationaal Energieagentschap (IEA) biedt waterstof een aanzienlijk potentieel als toekomstige energiebron in verband met wereldwijde activiteiten voor energietransitie. Dankzij zijn opslag- en transportmogelijkheden kan waterstof voor een groot aantal toepassingen worden gebruikt.

De meeste geïndustrialiseerde landen stellen daarom waterstofstrategieën vast en ondersteunen deze met routekaarten en concrete projecten. In de vervoerssector kan waterstof, naast batterij-elektrische mobiliteit, een andere technologische optie worden om op lange termijn duurzame individuele mobiliteit vorm te geven.

Dit zal echter afhangen van een concurrerende productie van voldoende hoeveelheden waterstof uit groene energie en de uitbreiding van de bijbehorende vulinfrastructuur, die in veel landen al intensief wordt nagestreefd.

De BMW Group verwelkomt en ondersteunt activiteiten ter bevordering van innovatie in Duitsland en Europa die bijdragen aan de opbouw van een waterstofeconomie en de productie van groene waterstof versnellen. Daartoe behoren met name de grootschalige waterstofprojecten die als belangrijke projecten van gemeenschappelijk Europees belang (IPCEI) zijn geclassificeerd.

De projecten die deel uitmaken van dit initiatief van de Europese Unie, dat in Duitsland wordt gesteund door het federale ministerie van Economische Zaken en het federale ministerie van Vervoer, bestrijken de hele waardeketen - van waterstofproductie tot vervoer en toepassingen in de industrie.

De BMW Group

Met zijn vier merken BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce en BMW Motorrad is de BMW Group 's werelds leidende fabrikant van premium auto's en motorfietsen en biedt ook eersteklas financiële en mobiliteitsdiensten. Het productienetwerk van de BMW Group omvat  meer dan 30 productievestigingen wereldwijd; het bedrijf heeft een wereldwijd verkoopnetwerk in meer dan 140 landen.

In 2022 verkocht de BMW Group wereldwijd meer dan 2,4 miljoen personenauto's en meer dan 202.000 motorfietsen. De winst vóór belastingen voor het fiscale jaar 2022 bedroeg 16,1 miljard euro bij een omzet van 111,2 miljard euro. Op 31 december 2021 had de BMW Group 118.909 mensen in dienst.

Het succes van de BMW Group is altijd gebaseerd geweest op langetermijndenken en verantwoordelijk handelen. Het bedrijf heeft al in een vroeg stadium de koers voor de toekomst uitgezet en stelt duurzaamheid en efficiënt grondstoffenbeheer consequent centraal in zijn strategische koers, van de toeleveringsketen via de productie tot het einde van de gebruiksfase van alle producten.

www.bmwgroup.com  

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Voor vragen gelieve contact op te nemen met:

BMW Group Belux:

Jeroen Lissens, Head of Corporate Communications Belux
E-mail: jeroen.lissens@bmw.be 

Telefoon: +32 3 890 97 08

GSM: +32 488 23 55 85

BMW Group, Corporate Communications

Carolin Seidel, Perswoordvoerster Innovation en Technology

E-mail: Carolin.Seidel@bmwgroup.com

Telefoon: +49 151 601 90340

Munich. The BMW Group is commencing production of its BMW iX5 Hydrogen model. Manufacture of the small-series hydrogen-powered vehicle is taking place in the pilot plant at its Munich Research and Innovation Centre (FIZ). The first ever Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) featuring hydrogen fuel cell technology has already completed an intensive programme of testing under demanding conditions during the development phase and will now be used as a technology demonstrator for locally carbon-free mobility in selected regions from spring 2023.

“Hydrogen is a versatile energy source that has a key role to play as we progress towards climate neutrality,” says Frank Weber, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Development. “We are certain that hydrogen is set to gain significantly in importance for individual mobility and therefore consider a mixture of battery and fuel cell electric drive systems to be a sensible approach in the long term. Fuel cells don’t require any critical raw materials such as cobalt, lithium or nickel either, so by investing in this type of drive system we are also strengthening the geopolitical resilience of the BMW Group. Our BMW iX5 Hydrogen test fleet will allow us to gain new and valuable insights, enabling us to present customers with an attractive product range once the hydrogen economy becomes a widespread reality.”

The BMW iX5 Hydrogen is being built in the BMW Group’s pilot plant at its Research and Innovation Centre in Munich. This is the interface between development and production where every new model from one of the company’s brands is made for the first time. Around 900 people work there in the body shop, assembly, model engineering, concept vehicle construction and additive manufacturing. They each work on up to six vehicle projects simultaneously and are tasked with ensuring that both the product and the manufacturing process are ready for series production. In the case of the BMW iX5 Hydrogen, specialists in hydrogen technology, vehicle development and initial assembly of new models have been working closely together to integrate the cutting-edge drive and energy storage technology.

“Production of the BMW iX5 Hydrogen and the BMW-developed fuel cell systems demonstrates our supreme flexibility and unrivalled know-how in the field of small-scale manufacture,” remarks Milan Nedeljković,  Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Production. “It shows we already boast the necessary expertise for integrating hydrogen technology into the BMW iFACTORY production system as an additional type of drive.”

BMW Group Plant Spartanburg in the USA supplies the base vehicles for the hydrogen model, which has been developed on the platform of the BMW X5. They are fitted with a new floor assembly in the pilot plant’s body shop that makes it possible to accommodate the two hydrogen tanks in the centre tunnel and under the rear seat unit. The model-specific 12V and 400V electrical systems, high-performance battery, electric motor and fuel cell are all integrated during the assembly stage, alongside standard production parts. Positioned in the rear axle area together with the high-performance battery, the electric motor is a product of the current, fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology also employed in battery electric and plug-in hybrid models from BMW. The fuel cell systems located under the bonnet of the BMW iX5 Hydrogen have been manufactured at BMW’s in-house competence centre for hydrogen in Garching to the north of Munich since August this year.

Numerous components are produced exclusively for the hydrogen-powered SAV, including some made at the Additive Manufacturing Campus – the BMW Group’s competence centre for 3D printing – which also forms part of the pilot plant. The BMW iX5 Hydrogen passes through all the customary stages of production, starting at the body shop then proceeding to the paint shop and assembly before ending with a final inspection of each individual vehicle. Following this, every vehicle undergoes a comprehensive operational check at the BMW Group’s test centre in Aschheim.

The BMW iX5 Hydrogen combines all the benefits of a locally emission-free drive system with outstanding everyday usability and long-distance capabilities. This makes its hydrogen fuel cell technology an attractive complementary alternative to the battery electric drive system. This is especially true for customers for whom short refuelling stops and long ranges are a must, as well as for regions still lacking an adequate charging infrastructure.

Munich. Well-thought-out details, subtle styling, sustainable material: BMW is reorienting its lifestyle collection with the GOODS WITH FREUDE product line. All collection pieces are made from high-quality, durable, and resource-conserving materials and stick to a timeless color palette. Scarves, socks, tops, and skirts can be combined as desired. They underline the wearer’s individual style while foregrounding sustainability. Here, BMW Lifestyle proves that quality doesn’t have to be loud to stand out.

BMW Lifestyle has chosen premium materials and a minimalist design. This casual, impactful line has been created in collaboration with the licensing partner stichd. The premium apparel is made from long-lasting materials. Organic cotton has been used for the T-shirts, while Re:Down recycled down and feathers have been used for the lining and scarves.

The collection is aimed at a younger target group and lifestyle enthusiasts to whom the distinguished coolness of the first co-creator appeals: artist Joshua Vides deliberately chose a restrained color palette for the exclusive 12-piece capsule collection, following the principle of understated cool. His graphic design is inspired by the street art of the US West Coast and lowrider scene.

GOODS WITH FREUDE offers the perfect pieces for every day, any mood, and any moment. These include the soft MICRO DOT SWEAT CREWsweater made from 100 percent organic cotton with minimalistic embroidered FREUDE branding on the sleeve, a special feature of the collection. The BMW and FREUDE logos are an elegant feature on the collection pieces. The FREUDE scarf and FREUDE mechanic’s cap underline the minimalist design and the collection’s mission to provide pieces that can be combined as desired. But perhaps the playful FREUDE CREW SOCK with diagonal branding will become the new go-to favorite product of Gen Z fashionistas.

GOODS WITH FREUDE also makes its BMW heritage known. The FREUDE MECHANICS jacket is a homage to the identity of BMW and a statement piece of the collection. Here, GOODS WITH FREUDE has struck out a new path away from classic merchandise products and towards a contemporary collection.

GOODS WITH FREUDE: the must-haves

The INSULATION GILET vest and the INSULATION JACKET are made from 100 percent recycled nylon and feature a lining made from 100 percent Re:Down as well as a water-repellent layer for damp, cold days. The collection also contains simple classics such as T-shirts, polo shirts and comfy hoodies. The style embodies a combination of sportiness and chic, which works for both understated business outfits and sporty leisure looks. The combination of contemporary design, sustainable materials, and the aspiration to provide quality and durability is the red thread running through the entire collection and is what makes it GOODS WITH FREUDE.

BMW M products – elegant materials meet functionality.

The BMW M products in the collectiondon’t just appeal to BMW fans. Sportiness and functionality meet high-quality materials and attention to detail. White and cream tones are the focus, broken up with black and earthy colors, while the branding is discreet.

While the BMW M Series comes across as minimalist and restrained, the BMW M street products are striking and eye-catching. The BMW M logo and the iconic colors are foregrounded. The casual Contrast M Oversized T-Shirt is an everyday companion that turns heads thanks to its oversized fit and the colorful M stripes and M logo. The same applies to the oversized Contrast Sweat Hoodie.

The GOODS WITH FREUDE collection is now available from selected retailers as well as online at https://lifestyle.bmw.com.

++ Zoals beloofd: volledig elektrische modellen uit alle Duitse fabrieken +++ Korte afstanden in de logistiek: hoogspanningsbatterij voor BMW iX1* komt ook uit Regensburg +++ Meer dan 3.300 werknemers werken in de productie van elektrische componenten van BMW Group +++ Tegen 2024 zal een op de drie BMW's van Beierse fabrieken elektrisch zijn +++ Bijgaand het volledige Engelstalige persbericht.

//

CO2 EMISSIONS & CONSUMPTION.

Indien u vragen heeft, kunt u contact opnemen met:

BMW Group Corporate Communications

Bernhard Ederer, BMW Group Innovation Communications

Email: Bernhard.Ederer@bmwgroup.com , Tel.: +49 (0) 176 601 28556

Sandra Schillmöller, Communications Purchasing, Supplier Network, Sustainability

Email: Sandra.Schillmoeller@bmwgroup.com , Telephone: +49-89-382-12225

Munich. On 31 August, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG Oliver Zipse and Frank Weber, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Development, will come together to inaugurate fuel cell system production at the company’s competence centre for hydrogen in Munich. The reason for this occasion is the small series of BMW iX5 Hydrogen cars that will be entering service around the world from the end of this year for test and demonstration purposes. The combination of fuel cell and high-performance battery is set to enrich the company’s portfolio by adding a unique form of drive system for the premium segment. The BMW Group is playing a visionary and pioneering role in this technology with the aim of achieving a more diversified transition to zero-emission mobility.

“As a versatile energy source, hydrogen has a key role to play on the road to climate neutrality. And it will also gain substantially in importance as far as personal mobility is concerned. We think hydrogen-powered vehicles are ideally placed technologically to fit alongside battery-electric vehicles and complete the electric mobility picture,” said Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, in Munich on Wednesday. “By commencing small-scale production of fuel cells today, we are demonstrating the technical maturity of this type of drive system and underscoring its potential for the future.”

“Our many years of research and development work have enabled us to get the very most out of hydrogen technology,” added Frank Weber, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Development. “We have managed to more than double the fuel cell’s continuous output in the second-generation fuel cell in the BMW iX5 Hydrogen, while weight and size have both decreased drastically.”

Thanks to these advances, the BMW Group leads the way in the development of hydrogen technology and considers it to hold great promise for its next generation of vehicles.

Technological expertise and high standards of efficiency in the drive system
The BMW Group will now be manufacturing highly efficient fuel cell systems at its in-house competence centre for hydrogen. This technology is one of the core elements in the BMW iX5 Hydrogen and generates a high continuous output of 125 kW/170 hp. It teams up with an electric motor featuring fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology and a high-performance battery purpose developed for this vehicle to enable its powertrain to deliver 275 kW/374 hp. The development team incorporated the powerful drive system – comprising two hydrogen tanks, the fuel cell and the electric motor – into the existing BMW X5 platform for the small production run. The BMW iX5 Hydrogen already successfully demonstrated its excellent everyday usability, even at very low temperatures, during the final round of winter testing in Sweden at the start of this year.

The impressive testing results of this new small-scale series of cars are rooted in the BMW Group’s extensive experience with the use of hydrogen as a drive technology. Hydrogen-powered combustion engines had already been in use prior to the arrival of the fuel cell system. Efficiency considerations prompted the BMW Group to continue development work in this area from 2015 with the BMW 5 Series GT Hydrogen Cell based on fuel cell technology. Fuel cell technology has since been steadily refined by harnessing the company’s vast know-how in the field of conventional drive technologies and applying the exacting standards of all-round efficiency it expects of all its vehicles.

Production of fuel cell systems in Munich
A chemical reaction takes place in the fuel cell between hydrogen from the tanks and oxygen from the air. Maintaining a steady supply of both elements to the fuel cell’s membrane is of crucial importance for the drive system’s efficiency. In addition to the technological equivalents of features found on combustion engines, such as charge air coolers, air filters, control units and sensors, the BMW Group also developed special hydrogen components for its new fuel cell system. These include the high-speed compressor with turbine and high-voltage coolant pump, for instance.

The BMW Group sources the individual fuel cells required for manufacturing the BMW iX5 Hydrogen from the Toyota Motor Corporation. The two companies have enjoyed a partnership characterised by trust for many years and have been collaborating on fuel cell drive systems since 2013. Fuel cell systems are manufactured in two main steps. The individual fuel cells are first assembled into a fuel cell stack. The next step involves fitting all the other components to produce a complete fuel cell system.

Stacking of the fuel cells is a fully automated process. Once the individual components have been inspected for any damage, the stack is compressed by machine with a force of five tonnes and placed in a housing. The stack housing is manufactured in the light metal foundry at BMW Group Plant Landshut using a sand casting technique. For this, molten aluminium is poured into a mould made from compacted sand mixed with resin in a process specially designed for this small-series vehicle. The pressure plate, which delivers hydrogen and oxygen to the fuel cell stack, is made from cast plastic parts and light-alloy castings, also from the Landshut plant. The pressure plate forms a gas-tight and water-tight seal around the stack housing.

Final assembly of the fuel cell stacks includes a voltage test along with extensive testing of the chemical reaction within the cells. Finally, all the different components are fitted together in the assembly area to produce the complete system. During this system assembly stage, further components are fitted, such as the compressor, the anode and cathode, the high-voltage coolant pump and the wiring harness.

+++ Volledig elektrische BMW i7* en zeer efficiënte varianten met verbrandingsmotor worden gelijktijdig gelanceerd +++ Meer dan €300 miljoen geïnvesteerd in locatie in Neder-Beieren +++ Eén op de vier BMW's uit Dingolfing al geëlektrificeerd +++ Consequente implementatie van BMW iFACTORY +++ Proeven met geautomatiseerd rijden in productieomgeving +++

CO2 EMISSIONS & CONSUMPTION.

De BMW Group

Met zijn vier merken BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce en BMW Motorrad is de BMW Group 's werelds leidende fabrikant van premium auto's en motorfietsen en biedt ook eersteklas financiële en mobiliteitsdiensten. Het productienetwerk van de BMW Group omvat 31 productie- en assemblagefabrieken in 15 landen; de onderneming heeft een wereldwijd verkoopnetwerk in meer dan 140 landen.

In 2021 verkocht de BMW Group wereldwijd meer dan 2,5 miljoen personenauto's en meer dan 194.000 motorfietsen. De winst vóór belastingen voor het fiscale jaar 2020 bedroeg 5.222 miljard euro bij een omzet van 98.990 miljard euro. Op 31 december 2020 had de BMW Group 120.726 mensen in dienst.

De onderneming heeft al in een vroeg stadium de koers voor de toekomst uitgezet en stelt duurzaamheid en efficiënt grondstoffenbeheer consequent centraal in haar strategische koers, van de toeleveringsketen via de productie tot het einde van de gebruiksfase van alle producten.

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Perscontact:

BMW Group Belux

Jeroen Lissens
GSM: +32 488 23 55 85
Tel.: +32 3 890 97 08
E-mail: jeroen.lissens@bmw.be

+++ Waterstof-brandstofcel-aandrijving zorgt voor duurzaam rijplezier als nieuw element van het BMW i merk. +++ Wereldwijd unieke combinatie van high-performance brandstofcel en geoptimaliseerde powerbatterij onderstreept de toonaangevende expertise van BMW Group op het gebied van aandrijfsystemen. +++ Kleine series voor demonstratie- en testdoeleinden worden in 2022 gelanceerd. +++

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Munich. The BMW Group is systematically pushing forward with development of hydrogen fuel cell technology as an additional option for sustainable individual mobility. Two years after unveiling the BMW i Hydrogen NEXT concept car, the company will present the BMW iX5 Hydrogen at the IAA Mobility 2021 in Munich. Currently still in series development, the Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) with hydrogen fuel cell drive train will be one of several vehicles visitors can experience as they are driven along the Blue Lane connecting the main exhibition grounds with other exhibition venues in the city centre.

A small series of the BMW iX5 Hydrogen, developed on the basis of the BMW X5, will be used for demonstration and testing purposes from the end of next year. Its hydrogen fuel cell system is further proof of the BMW Group’s leading development expertise in the field of electric drive technologies. “With its high-performance fuel cell and optimised power battery, the BMW iX5 Hydrogen’s drive system is unique in the world,” said Juergen Guldner, head of BMW Group Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology and Vehicle Projects. “With this, we are forging new paths for sustainable driving pleasure.”

With the right conditions, hydrogen fuel cell technology has the potential to become a further pillar in the BMW Group’s drive train portfolio for local CO2-free mobility. The BMW i brand, which is entirely geared towards locally emission-free mobility, could in the future also offer vehicles with hydrogen fuel cell drive trains, in addition to battery-electric models such as the BMW i3, BMW iX3, BMW iX and BMW i4. Provided the hydrogen is produced using renewable energy and the necessary infrastructure is available, this technology can complement the BMW Group’s electrified drive train portfolio – and, in particular, meet the needs of customers who do not have their own access to electric charging infrastructure, frequently drive long distances or desire a high degree of flexibility.

Model-specific design elements 3D-printed for locally emission-free Sports Activity Vehicle.
The BMW iX5 Hydrogen is a modern luxury Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) that combines ground-breaking drive technology with the powerful proportions, convenience and versatility of a BMW X model. Individual exterior and interior design elements highlight the car’s ties to the BMW i brand, as well as its specific drive technology. The inner edging of the BMW kidney grille, the inserts in the 22- inch aerodynamic wheels and the attachments in the outer portion of the rear apron are all in BMW i Blue. The entry sills and cover trim for the instrument panel also sport a “hydrogen fuel cell” badge.

The mesh inserts covering the cooling air openings at the front of the BMW iX5 Hydrogen, as well as the rear apron and its diffuser element, also have their own unique design. The ornamental grilles covering the BMW kidney grille, the lower and two outer air inlets and the body elements for the lower rear end trim all come from the BMW Group’s Additive Manufacturing Campus, which uses 3D printing to produce prototype and standard parts. Additive manufacturing enables fast and highly flexible production of components – some of which have geometric shapes that cannot be realised with conventional production methods.

Systematic sustainability: Aerodynamic wheels and tyres made of natural rubber.
The BMW iX5 Hydrogen’s aerodynamic wheels come with sustainably produced tyres made of natural rubber and rayon. The raw materials for this are extracted in compliance with the standards of the independent Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) organisation. The BMW Group is the first automotive manufacturer worldwide to use Pirelli tyres made exclusively from certified natural rubber and the wood-based material rayon in its production vehicles.

Hallmark BMW driving dynamics, strong long-distance capabilities.
The BMW iX5 Hydrogen combines fuel cell technology with a fifth-generation BMW eDrive. The drive system uses hydrogen as fuel by converting it into electricity in a fuel cell – delivering an electrical output of up to 125 kW/170 hp, with water vapour as the only emission. This drive power also enables it to maintain consistently high speeds over longer distances. The electric motor was developed from the fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology also used in the BMW iX. In coasting overrun and braking phases, it serves as a generator, feeding energy into a power battery. The energy stored in this power battery is also utilised for particularly sporty driving manoeuvres – delivering a system output of 275 kW/374 hp and guaranteeing the brand's signature driving experience.

The hydrogen needed to supply the fuel cell is stored in two 700-bar tanks made of carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP), which together hold almost six kilograms of hydrogen. “Filling up the hydrogen tanks only takes three to four minutes – so there are no limits on using the BMW iX5 Hydrogen for long distances, with just a few, short stops in-between,” explains Guldner.

Hydrogen as part of global activities for CO2-free mobility.
According to a report by the International Energy Agency (IEA), hydrogen offers considerable potential as a future energy source in connection with global energy transition activities. Thanks to its storage and transport capabilities, hydrogen can be used for a wide variety of applications. Most industrialised countries are therefore adopting hydrogen strategies and backing them up with roadmaps and concrete projects. In the transport sector, hydrogen can become a further technology option, alongside battery-electric mobility, for shaping sustainable individual mobility in the long term. However, this will depend on competitive production of sufficient quantities of hydrogen from green power, as well as expansion of the corresponding filling infrastructure, which is already being intensively pursued in many countries.

The BMW Group welcomes and supports activities to promote innovation in Germany and Europe that will help build a hydrogen economy and accelerate production of green hydrogen. These specifically include the large-scale hydrogen projects classified as Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI). The projects that comprise this European Union initiative, supported in Germany by the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Federal Ministry of Transport, span the entire value chain – from hydrogen production to transport to applications in industry.

+++ Waterstof als brandstof voor duurzame mobiliteit: BMW Group zet systematisch onderzoek en ontwikkeling voort +++ Eerste prototypes worden getest op Europese wegen +++ Productie van kleine serie op basis van BMW X5 start in 2022 +++

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Munich. The BMW Group is beginning to test near-standard vehicles with a hydrogen fuel cell drive train in everyday conditions on European roads. Prototypes of the BMW i Hydrogen NEXT will examine how effectively the CO₂-free drive train, model-specific chassis technology and vehicle electronics systems work together under real-life conditions. The BMW i Hydrogen NEXT is a pure electric vehicle that uses hydrogen as fuel by converting it into electricity in a fuel cell. The recently launched testing programme will pave the way for the BMW Group to present a small-series model with this sustainable drive technology, developed on the basis of the BMW X5, in late 2022. Extensive field testing of these vehicles will provide practical experience in the use of this sustainable drive technology.

Hydrogen fuel cell technology has the long-term potential to supplement internal combustion engines, plug-in hybrid systems and battery-electric vehicles within the BMW Group’s flexible drive train strategy. It could become an attractive alternative to battery-electric drive trains – especially for customers who do not have their own access to electric charging infrastructure or who frequently drive long distances. “Hydrogen fuel cell technology can be an attractive option for sustainable drive trains – especially in larger vehicle classes,” according to Frank Weber, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Development. “That is why road testing of near-standard vehicles with a hydrogen fuel cell drive train is an important milestone in our research and development efforts.”

Like the fuel tank of a conventional combustion-engine model, the hydrogen tank of the BMW i Hydrogen NEXT can also be filled within three to four minutes with a fuel that ensures a range of several hundred kilometres in all weather conditions.

Field testing focused on efficiency, safety, convenience, reliability – and driving pleasure.

A central element of the BMW i Hydrogen NEXT road tests now underway is fine-tuning the software that controls all driving and operating functions. The fuel cell system, hydrogen tanks, performance buffer battery and central vehicle control unit have all previously been tested individually and together in hundreds of test runs conducted on test benches. This functional testing is now being followed with field testing on the roads. The intensive programme, which is conducted under everyday conditions, with thousands of kilometres driven in real traffic situations, helps development engineers validate the efficiency, safety, convenience and reliability of all components. At the same time, the test series is designed to ensure the characteristic driving pleasure of BMW models – even with locally emission-free mobility using pioneering hydrogen fuel cell technology.

The BMW i Hydrogen NEXT uses fuel cells from the product development cooperation with the Toyota Motor Corporation. The individual cells come from Toyota, while the fuel cell stack and complete drive system are original BMW Group developments. The cooperation established in 2013 seeks to optimise the everyday practicality and scalability of hydrogen fuel cell technology for use in each company’s respective production vehicles through the intensive exchange of experience.

Typical BMW driving dynamics delivered by electric drive train with system output of 275 kW/374 hp.

The complete drive system in the BMW i Hydrogen NEXT combines hydrogen fuel cell technology with fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology – which can already be experienced in the BMW iX3 and soon the BMW iX and BMW i4, as well. Energy is generated in the fuel cell as the result of a chemical reaction between the hydrogen carried by the vehicle and oxygen from the air. This delivers an electrical output of 125 kW/170 hp. An electric converter located below the fuel cell adjusts its voltage to that of the electric motor, which powers the BMW i Hydrogen NEXT.

Energy stored in a performance buffer battery is also used for dynamic acceleration manoeuvres and short bursts of speed for overtaking. As a result, the system delivers an output of 275 kW/374 hp that corresponds exactly to that of the most powerful six-cylinder in-line petrol engine currently used in BMW models – thereby guaranteeing the driving dynamics the brand is known for.

The energy stored in the performance buffer battery is generated in a particularly efficient way during driving by recovering energy from coasting overrun and braking phases. The hydrogen needed to supply the fuel cell is stored in two 700-bar tanks made of carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP), which together hold six kilograms of hydrogen. Its precisely controlled reaction with oxygen in the fuel cell generates electricity, while water vapour is the only emission produced by the drive train.

+++ 22-inch banden met gecertificeerd duurzaam natuurrubber en rayon, een op hout gebaseerd materiaal dat wordt gebruikt om de banden te versterken +++ Plantages gecertificeerd volgens de normen van de onafhankelijke organisatie Forest Stewardship Council TM (FSC TM) +++ Wendt: "We helpen de biodiversiteit en de bossen in stand te houden om de klimaatverandering tegen te gaan" +++

Munich. The BMW Group is stepping up its activities in the field of sustainability, becoming the first automotive manufacturer worldwide to equip its cars with tyres using certified sustainable natural rubber and rayon, a wood-based material used to strengthen the tyres. The company will source 22-inch tyres in the first instance exclusively from Pirelli and, from August of this year, will use them in the BMW X5 xDrive45e Plug-in-Hybrid (fuel consumption combined: 1.7-1.2 l/100km (WLTP), 2.1-1.6 l/100 km (NEDC); power consumption combined: 27.7-24.3 kWh/100 km (WLTP), 25.2-23.5 kWh/100 km (NEDC); CO2 emissions combined: 39-27 g/km (WLTP), 47-37 g/km (NEDC)). Certification of the rubber plantations and the complex supply chain for natural rubber and rayon takes place in accordance with the strict standards of the independent Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).

“As a premium manufacturer, we aspire to lead the way in sustainability and take responsibility,” said Dr Andreas Wendt, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Purchasing and Supplier Network. “We have been committed to improving cultivation of natural rubber and increasing transparency in the supplier network since 2015. The use of tyres made of certified natural rubber is a pioneering achievement for our industry. In this way, we are helping preserve biodiversity and forests to counteract climate change.”

Natural rubber is the basic material for many products we use in our daily lives, such as boots and mattresses. About six million small farmers worldwide are responsible for over 80% of the world’s natural rubber cultivation. In the so-called rubber belt across the tropical regions, they run farms of between one and two hectares in size under a wide variety of different conditions. Agreeing uniform social and environmental growing conditions with these millions of small individual farms is therefore a major challenge.

By far the largest share of natural rubber grown worldwide goes into tyre production. Natural rubber’s high elasticity and sturdiness currently make it irreplaceable for tyre production.

Small label, big impact

As an independent organisation, FSC has developed an internationally recognised and demanding certification standard in recent years that is used worldwide for environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable management of the forests. The organisation, whose well-known logo is already established in the wood and paper industry, also applies this standard to products made of natural rubber.

The new 22-inch P ZERO ∗ tyre has now become the world's first tyre to receive the coveted FSC label. To earn this certification, Pirelli adapted its US plant in Rome, Georgia, to produce tyres using FSC-certified natural rubber and rayon. From there, the tyres are delivered to BMW Group Plant Spartanburg, around 370 km away, and mounted on the BMW X5 Plug-in Hybrid. The star ∗ in the name indicates that the new tyre meets the BMW Group’s strict performance requirements, including particularly low rolling resistance and noise level.

Giovanni Tronchetti Provera, Pirelli’s Senior Vice President for Sustainability and Future Mobility, said: “Before even reaching the road, sustainable mobility begins with raw materials. With the world’s first FSC-certified tyre, Pirelli once again demonstrates its commitment to pursuing increasingly challenging goals in terms of sustainability, a testament to the constant work on innovative materials and increasingly cutting-edge production processes. We continue to invest in sustainable growth for our planet, aware that this is also essential for the future of our businesses.”

Jeremy Harrison, Chief Markets Officer, FSC International, added: “The new FSC-certified Pirelli Tyre is a significant milestone in the drive to deliver economic, social, and environmental benefits across the natural rubber value chain. This is a major step forward in the journey towards a more sustainable natural rubber value chain, thereby helping to mitigate deforestation and support the fight against climate change.”

Long-standing commitment to greater transparency and sustainability in the natural rubber supplier network

The use of the first tyres containing certified sustainable natural rubber and rayon at the BMW Group is the result of the company’s extensive commitment in this area. In 2019, the BMW Group joined forces with well-known tyre manufacturers, NGOs, rubber producers and consumers to create the Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber (GPSNR). Small farmers are also represented in this initiative. The GPSNR is committed to improving social and environmental conditions for cultivation of natural rubber and pushing for more sustainability. It also implements measures to stop deforestation and make supply chains more transparent. The GPSNR currently has almost 100 members, who are responsible for about 50 percent of the global natural rubber market.

Through its activities in the GPSNR and close cooperation with its suppliers, the BMW Group is constantly working to further improve sustainability in the natural rubber supply chain. The BMW Group is stepping up these activities and plans to steadily expand its sourcing of tyres made from sustainably grown natural rubber.

The BMW Group has been working with the FSC organisation for many years (Licence code FSC-N002012). The company decided to use FSC-certified wood in the BMW i3, which was first launched onto the market in 2013. The BMW iX for release later this year will also feature FSC-certified wood. In 2017, the BMW Group and FSC advocated for further development of FSC standards for cultivation of natural rubber in Thailand.

Sustainability an integral part of all purchasing activities

Independently of these measures, the BMW Group has contractually obligated all its direct suppliers to respect human rights, comply with expanded environmental and social standards and to introduce management systems to promote occupational safety and protect the environment since 2014. This also includes protecting forests and biodiversity. These requirements must also be contractually passed on to subcontractors. BMW Group Purchasing does not rely on contractual obligations alone for this but is also implementing a large number of additional measures in a transparent process. A risk filter is used to evaluate potential supplier locations worldwide even before the call for bids. The next step is to require possible suppliers to outline their sustainability activities in a detailed questionnaire. External partners also work with internal appraisers to review selected locations. Throughout the contract period, external partners work with internal appraisers to verify compliance with sustainability requirements through questionnaires and audits. In this way, BMW Group Purchasing is able to monitor thousands of locations every year.

Sustainable mobility with the BMW X5 xDrive45e

The BMW Group has completed full lifecycle CO₂ certification for the BMW X5 xDrive45e – from raw material procurement, through the supply chain, production and use phase, all the way to recycling. If charged during the use phase with the average European electricity mix, this gives it an advantage of around 40 percent over the BMW X5 xDrive40i. If charged with green power, the advantage is around 70 percent. The electric range amounts to 77-88 kilometres (WLTP).

CO2 EMISSIONS & CONSUMPTION.

Een ordervolume van 2 miljard euro vanaf 2024 +++ Duurzame productie met 100% wind- en waterkracht +++ Oliver Zipse: "Om een effectieve bijdrage te leveren aan de bescherming van het klimaat wil de BMW Group de algehele milieubalans van zijn producten verbeteren".

BMW Group heeft een langetermijncontract gesloten met het Zweedse Northvolt voor de levering van batterijcellen ter waarde van 2 miljard euro, die vanaf 2024 in Europa zullen worden geproduceerd in de Northvolt gigafactory, die in aanbouw is in Skellefteå, in het noorden van Zweden. Een doorslaggevend aspect voor BMWGroup: Northvolt zal 100% van de energie die nodig is voor de productie van de batterijcellen regionaal in Noord-Zweden halen, en dit uitsluitend uit wind- en waterkrachtenergie.

Munich. The BMW Group is driving the expansion of electromobility and has signed a long-term supply contract worth 2 billion euros for battery cells with the Swedish company Northvolt. The battery cells will be produced in Europe at the Northvolt gigafactory currently under construction in Skellefteå in northern Sweden (series plant Northvolt Ett) from 2024.

A decisive aspect for the BMW Group: Northvolt will obtain 100 percent of the energy needed to produce the battery cells regionally in northern Sweden and exclusively from wind and hydroelectric power. Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, said: “To make an effective contribution to climate protection, we aim to improve our products’ overall environmental balance – from resources to recycling. This applies in particular to energy-intensive production of high-voltage batteries for electric vehicles. That is why we now have a contractual agreement with our cell manufacturers that they will only use green power to produce our fifth-generation battery cells.”

Andreas Wendt, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Purchasing and Supplier Network, added: “Northvolt is the third battery cell supplier we have partnered with, alongside our existing partners, CATL and Samsung SDI. Signing this contract is another step towards meeting our growing need for battery cells in the long term. We are systematically driving electrification of our vehicle fleet. By 2023, we aim to have 25 electrified models on the roads – more than half of them fully-electric.” The BMW Group will also source cells manufactured in Europe from the Chinese manufacturer CATL – from the plant currently under construction in Erfurt, Germany. Every cell generation at the BMW Group is awarded in global competition to the leading manufacturer from both a technology and a business perspective. Wendt: “This ensures we always have access to the best possible cell technology.”

Sustainability plays key role in expanding electromobility

The BMW Group and Northvolt will commonly source the cobalt and lithium needed as key raw materials for cell production from mines that fulfil the high sustainability standards of both companies. This ensures full transparency of the origin of raw materials at any time. Compliance with environmental standards, respect for human rights and reducing the carbon footprint are top priority. “Sustainability is an important aspect of our corporate strategy and plays a key role in expanding electromobility,” emphasised Wendt. The BMW Group will also no longer use rare earths in its fifth-generation electric drive trains from 2021 on.

The BMW Group and Northvolt are pursuing their goal of a sustainable value chain for battery cells in Europe through a joint technology consortium. Recyclable cell design is a consistent focus throughout the development of battery cells. Faced with rapidly growing demand for battery cells, recycling of battery components at the end of their lifecycle and extensive reuse of raw materials will be key to closing the materials loop in the best way possible.

Production of battery cells: an important and effective lever for reducing CO₂ – accounting for up to 40% of carbon emissions

As e-mobility gains more and more traction, the focus of CO₂ reduction shifts to upstream added value – and, especially, the energy-intensive production of high-voltage batteries, because up to 40 percent of a fully-electric vehicle’s emissions come from battery cell production alone. This is a major and very effective lever for reducing CO₂ – so that is precisely where the BMW Group is focusing its efforts. As a leader in sustainability, the company has therefore reached a contractual agreement with CATL, Samsung SDI and Northvolt that they will only use green power to produce fifth-generation battery cells for the BMW Group. “As volumes increase, the use of green power will save around ten million tonnes of CO₂ over the next decade. For comparison, that is roughly the amount of CO₂ a city of over a million inhabitants, like Munich, emits per year,” according to Zipse.

Northvolt potential recognised early

The BMW Group recognised Northvolt's potential and expertise early: In mid-2018, the BMW Group entered a cooperation to develop battery cells with the company formed in 2016. This was underpinned by the BMW Group's financial participation in the firm. Both sides benefit from the partnership: The BMW Group contributes the battery expertise it has acquired over more than 15 years, while Northvolt has enabled itself for mass production with its gigafactory in northern Sweden.

Extensive in-house expertise throughout entire battery cell value chain

The BMW Group operates its Battery Cell Competence Centre in Munich. The aim of the competence centre is to advance battery cell technology and introduce it into production processes. The production of battery cell prototypes makes it possible to analyse and fully understand cell value creation processes. The BMW Group produces batteries in-house at its plants in Dingolfing (Germany), Spartanburg (USA) and at the BBA plant in Shenyang (China). The BMW Group has also localised battery production in Thailand, where it is working with the Dräxlmaier Group.

BMW Group as e-mobility pioneer – 25 electrified models by 2023

The BMW Group will have 25 electrified models in its line-up by 2023. The basis for this is provided by flexible vehicle architectures for fully-electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids and models with combustion engines that allow the company to respond quickly to changing conditions. More than half of the 25 models will be fully electric. The BMW Group will double its sales of electrified vehicles between 2019 and 2021, and the company expects to see a steep growth curve up to 2025: Global sales of our electrified vehicles should increase by an average of over 30 percent every year. In Europe, the company is also pursuing an ambitious growth logic: By 2021, electrified vehicles should make up a quarter of our new vehicle fleet, a third in 2025 and half of our sales in 2030.

As an e-mobility pioneer, the BMW Group is already a leading provider of electrified vehicles. By the end of 2019, the company already had more than half a million fully-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles on the roads. By the end of 2021, the BMW Group will offer five fully-electric production vehicles. In addition to the BMW i3, production of the fully-electric MINI also got underway at Plant Oxford in 2019. This will be followed later in 2020 by the fully-electric BMW iX3, produced in Shenyang, China and, then, in 2021, by the BMW iNEXT, built in Dingolfing, and the BMW i4 from Plant Munich.

The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. The BMW Group production network comprises 31 production and assembly facilities in 15 countries; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2019, the BMW Group sold over 2.5 million passenger vehicles and more than 175,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2019 was € 7.118 billion on revenues amounting to € 104.210 billion. As of 31 December 2019, the BMW Group had a workforce of 126,016 employees.

The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain, comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy.

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CO2 EMISSIONS & CONSUMPTION.

• Verlaging van de gemiddelde CO2 uitstoot naar 122 g/km.

• Daling sinds 1995 bedraagt meer dan 42%.

• Volledig elektrisch model BMW i4 zal gebouwd worden in München.

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Munich. The BMW Group has reduced CO2 emissions from its new car fleet in Europe (EU 28) to 122 grams/kilometre. Compared to 2016, this marks a reduction of a further 2 gram/kilometre (2016: 124g/km). The BMW Group has been reducing CO2 emissions from its EU fleet for years: since 1995, the average CO2 emissions for new BMW Group vehicles sold in Europe has fallen by more than 42%.

“This development clearly shows that our e-mobility strategy is successful. We are adding more electric drives to our vehicle fleet, while also working on fuel-saving technologies for our conventional drives,” said Harald Krüger, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG.

In 2017, the BMW Group sold more than 100,000 electrified vehicles. Last year, the BMW Group accounted for more newly registered electrified vehicles (all-electric + plug-in hybrid) than any other manufacturer in Europe, with a share of 21 percent. In the electrified vehicle segment, the BMW Group’s market share is already three times larger than its share of the conventional vehicle market.

“By 2025, our global vehicle portfolio will include 25 fully- or part-electric models. At last year’s Frankfurt Motor Show, we unveiled our take on the future of e‑mobility with the BMW iVision Dynamics. This vehicle will become reality: we will build it in Munich – as the BMW i4,” Krüger added.

BMW Group bevestigt haar rol als leider in elektro-mobiliteit. Lancering van de BMW Battery Storage Farm met tweedehandsbatterijen. 100.000^e BMW i3 geproduceerd in de Leipzig fabriek. Productie van de BMW i8 Roadster als 3^e BMW i voertuig op de site in Leipzig. Harald Krüger: “We blijven bouwen aan BMW i.”

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Leipzig. The BMW Group continues to build on its leading international role in the field of electro-mobility, as the 100,000th BMW i3 rolled off the production line at the company’s Leipzig plant today. The BMW i3 has played a major part in making the BMW Group one of the most successful suppliers of electrified vehicles worldwide. Harald Krüger, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, and Plant Director Hans-Peter Kemser celebrated this milestone with Saxony’s Minister-President Stanislaw Tillich, other guests and plant employees. At the event, Krüger and Kemser also presented the next member of the BMW i family, the BMW i8 Roadster, as a camouflaged prototype; series production of the BMW i8 Roadster will begin in 2018. A further highlight was today’s official commissioning of the BMW Battery Storage Farm Leipzig, which will connect up to 700 BMW i3 high-capacity batteries. The large-scale battery storage system at the Leipzig plant will give batteries previously installed in BMW i3 cars a second life and put them to profitable use in a sustainable, energy-based business model.

“We are proud of the 100,000th BMW i3 built by our plant in Leipzig. The BMW i3 is the original, a true technological pioneer. With BMW i as our spearhead, we intend to remain the leading premium supplier of electro-mobility going forward. We are now looking ahead to the next member of the BMW i family, the i8 Roadster, which will expand our leading position in the field of electro-mobility. In 2025, we will offer our customers a total of 25 models with electrified drive trains,” said Krüger. “In the interests of sustainability, today we are also presenting a concept for the second use of BMW i3 high-voltage batteries. With our Strategy NUMBER ONE > NEXT, we are looking far beyond the car itself and driving change in our industry with totally new approaches and business models.”

Saxony’s Minister-President Stanislaw Tillich continued to be impressed with the development of BMW’s Leipzig plant: “Two days after I was elected minister-president for the first time, I came to Leipzig to attend the topping out ceremony for the new BMW press shop. I have followed developments very closely ever since and had conversations with the Board of Management of BMW on a regular basis. The plant began building electric cars in 2013 and, by the end of my term of office, the Leipzig plant will have produced over 100,000 electric cars – now, with its battery farm, BMW is beginning a new chapter in its innovative history. I would like to thank the BMW Group for choosing to make Leipzig the leading production location for premium electric vehicles in Germany. I hope that the BMW Group, with its concentrated innovative power and Leipzig production expertise, will continue to spearhead the automotive revolution of the 21st century. I am confident that BMW will further contribute to the positive economic development of the Leipzig region and Saxony as a car-producing state, through future growth in the areas of electro-mobility and connected driving.”

100,000th BMW i3 from Leipzig

Series production of the BMW i3 began in September 2013. The BMW Group has invested a total of 400 million euros in production of BMW i models at the Leipzig location and created more than 800 jobs. Current daily production of the BMW i3 stands at more than 120 units, with an annual production volume in 2016 of 26,631 vehicles. “We are proud of our team performance, which enables us to celebrate production of the 100,000th BMW i3 today – all with the same premium quality and efficiency as our more conventional models. I would like to thank all our associates for this tremendous achievement,” said Plant Director, Hans-Peter Kemser. Production in Leipzig includes making carbon-fibre parts and painted plastic parts for outer skin panels, the BMW i body shop and BMW i assembly hall.

Series production of the BMW i8 got underway in May 2014 and a total of 2,783 BMW i8s were shipped from the plant in 2016. Production of the most successful hybrid sports car worldwide currently stands at eight to ten vehicles per day.

The next member of the BMW i family, the BMW i8 Roadster, an open-topped version of the sports car, will be released onto the market in 2018.

“Battery2ndLife”: Innovative second use of BMW i3 high-voltage batteries for new business model: BMW Group opens large-scale battery storage in Leipzig

The official commissioning of the battery storage farm on the grounds of BMW Plant Leipzig demonstrates innovative, sustainable and profitable second use of BMW i3 batteries after a vehicle reaches the end of its lifecycle. The battery storage unit in Leipzig can house up to 700 used BMW i3 high-capacity batteries. There are currently 500 new and used batteries integrated, because today – four years after the BMW i3 market launch – most battery packs are still in cars on the road. “The capacity of 700 high-voltage batteries is the equivalent of an electric range of 100,000 km in a BMW i3. The scalable approach means that the storage unit could be further expanded to accommodate more batteries. It is also already compatible with upcoming battery generations and therefore future-proof,” underlined Joachim Kolling, Head of Energy Services at the BMW Group. “We are demonstrating once again that the concept of sustainability at BMW i goes far beyond the car.” With wind turbines located on the grounds of the plant, the BMW Battery Storage Farm Leipzig links decentralised captive production from renewable energies with local energy storage and an industrial consumer in a completely unique way. The stationary battery storage farm is also integrated with the public power grid, which enables its electricity to be marketed as primary balancing power. In this way, the BMW Group is making a contri-bution to the stability of the public power grid and performing a valuable function for the wider community. When there is a surplus of power from renewable energies, large-scale battery storage can relieve the grid by absorbing electricity. When there is not enough power in the electricity grid, the facility can release electricity to help stabilise the grid.

The battery storage farm at BMW Group Plant Leipzig will open up new potential for cost and energy efficiency, as well as CO2 reduction in the energy sector. It is yet another example of practical steps the BMW Group is taking in its aspiration to become the most sustainable automotive company in the world.

The BMW Battery Storage Farm project in Leipzig is part of the WindNODE initiative, dedicated to promoting intelligent usage and storage systems for renewable energies. The German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy provides funding for the venture through its "Smart Energy Showcases – Digital Agenda for the Energy Transition" (SINTEG) programme.

BMW Group Plant Leipzig

BMW Group Plant Leipzig is one of the most modern and sustainable car plants in the world. Series production began in March 2005. Today, more than 860 vehicles roll off the assembly line every day from classic production: Currently, these are the BMW 1 Series five-door version, the BMW 2 Series Coupé and Convertible, the BMW 2 Series M Coupé and the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer. In addition, the plant also builds more than 120 BMW i3s and BMW i8s per day – two ground-breaking vehicles with alternative drive trains and innovative lightweight bodies.

Total investment in Leipzig to date exceeds two billion euros. The plant currently employs a permanent staff of more than 5,300 associates.  

About WindNode

A total of 70 partners from Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Brandenburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Berlin, Saxony and Thuringia work together on the WindNODE project to connect energy producers, electricity grid operators, suppliers and consumers through an ICT platform. The goal is to organise supply and demand in such a way that large quantities of renewable energy can be introduced to the grid without causing major voltage fluctuations. A further aim is to develop innovative business models for suppliers, as well as consumer protection and data security standards, market designs and systems architecture. WindNODE receives funding from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy as one of five model regions in the “Smart Energy Showcases – Digital Agenda for the Energy Transition”.

Om het tekort aan autotechniekers bij de bron aan te pakken, ondersteunt BMW Group Belux al vele jaren de scholen die een opleiding automechaniek aanbieden. Dit jaar stelt de Duitse premium autofabrikant twee BMW X3’s ter beschikking van het Diagnose Car project. Op het Autosalon in Brussel werden de symbolische sleutels overhandigd. Tegelijk kreeg ook de middelbare school Githo Nijlen een BMW X3 ter beschikking als didactisch materiaal.

Reeds vier BMW’s en één MINI voor Diagnose Car.

Diagnose Car bundelt een pool van wagens die ze laten rondgaan bij de verschillende scholen die een opleiding automechanieken organiseren. Vanuit BMW Group Belux werden eerder al een BMW 1 Reeks Hatch, een BMW 3 Reeks Berline en een MINI Hatch 3-deurs geschonken. De leerlingen zullen zich voortaan ook op de twee middelgrote SAV’s kunnen uitleven.

Githo Nijlen wil leerlingen best mogelijke ondersteuning geven.

De opleiding Autotechnieken van de Nijlense middelbare school Githo maakt ook graag gebruik van de pool van wagens van Diagnose Car. Om hun leerlingen verder te kunnen laten professionaliseren, heeft BMW Group Belux een extra BMW X3 kunnen vrijmaken die zij voortaan als eigen lesmateriaal kunnen inzetten. De school zal zelf instaan voor de volledige ombouw tot testwagen, maar kan hiervoor ook rekenen op een diagnosetoestel en de nodige opleiding vanuit BMW Group Belux.

Bijblijven dankzij de BMW X3.

Steven Sels is leerkracht Autotechnieken bij Githo Nijlen: “De technologische ontwikkelingen in de autosector gaan razendsnel. Dankzij deze BMW X3 én de nodige software kunnen we onze leerlingen nog meer prikkelen en klaarmaken voor de arbeidsmarkt.”

“Autotechnieker is een beroep met toekomst. We willen er als BMW Group Belux mee voor zorgen dat we jonge techniekers vandaag over de beste materialen en informatie kunnen laten beschikken. Het is dan ook met veel plezier en gepaste trots dat we met deze drie BMW X3’s ons engagement ook in 2017 verder zetten,” zegt Pierre De Cannière, verantwoordelijke voor het BMW Group Belux Center for Development.

+++ Innovatie, digitalisatie en duurzaamheid zijn de belangrijkste succesfactoren voor de logistiek.+++Het testen van toekomstige technologieën tijdens dagelijkse activiteiten.+++ Voortdurende uitbreiding in CO2-efficiente dragers. +++

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Innovationen, Digitalisierung und Nachhaltigkeit als entscheidende Erfolgsfaktoren in der Logistik

Erprobung von Zukunftstechnologien im Alltagsbetrieb

Kontinuierlicher Ausbau CO2-effizienter Verkehrsträger

München. Die BMW Group setzt in der Logistik zukünftig verstärkt auf Innovationen, Digitalisierung  und Nachhaltigkeit. Die komplette Vernetzung der Lieferkette, der Einsatz von autonomen Transportrobotern und die Nutzung von vorhandenen Fahrzeuginformationen bei der Auslieferung machen die Logistik noch flexibler und effizienter. Denn täglich müssen 30 Millionen Teile zur richtigen Zeit am richtigen Ort ankommen, damit an 31 Produktionsstandorten der BMW Group rund 9.000 Neufahrzeuge produziert werden können.

„Logistik ist das Herzstück des BMW Produktionssystems. So wird der Einsatz innovativer und digitaler Technologien zum Schlüsselfaktor innerhalb der komplexen Logistikprozesse, “ sagt Jürgen Maidl, Leiter Logistik im BMW Group Produktionsnetzwerk. Und weiter: „Gleichzeitig sind uns nachhaltige und ressourcenschonende Lösungen wichtig. Wir erproben mit einer ganzen Reihe von Pilotprojekten schon heute die Technologien von morgen.“

Von Augmented Reality-Brillen über autonome Transportsysteme bis hin zum Elektro-LKW testet die BMW Group verschiedenste Technologien und Innovationen. Marco Prüglmeier, Projektleiter Innovation und Industrie 4.0 in der BMW Group Inbound-Logistik: „Wir haben eine klare Zukunftsvision und setzen uns frühzeitig mit den Technologien von morgen auseinander. In allen Phasen des Logistikprozesses haben wir Innovationspotentiale ausfindig gemacht, von der Anlieferung der Bauteile in unseren Werken bis zur Auslieferung der Neufahrzeuge an die Händler in aller Welt“.

Connected Supply Chain: vollständige Datentransparenz

Die Lieferkette der BMW Group besteht aus einem weltweit verteilten Lieferantennetzwerk und einer engen Zusammenarbeit mit verschiedensten Logistikdienstleistern. Zukünftig ist es durch eine vollständige Datentransparenz in der Lieferkette jederzeit möglich zu bestimmen, welche Ware sich wo befindet und ob sie pünktlich ankommt. Durch dieses Wissen kann bei möglichen Verzögerungen sofort reagiert werden. Falls beispielsweise ein LKW in einen Unfall verwickelt ist, berechnet die Connected Supply Chain automatisch alternative Handlungsoptionen und leitet entsprechende Maßnahmen ein.

Gleichzeitig überwachen Sensoren den Zustand prozesskritischer Teile (Condition Monitoring). Es lässt sich damit frühzeitig feststellen, ob Teile beschädigt sind und ob eine Ersatzlieferung nötig ist. Auf diese Weise reduzieren sich kostspielige Sonderfahrten oder Alternativprozesse und Fehler im Prozess können schneller behoben werden.

Erste Flotte autonomer Transportroboter im Alltagsbetrieb

Autonomes Fahren hat auch in der Logistik einen hohen Stellenwert. So transportiert die erste Flotte von zehn selbstfahrenden Smart Transport Robots (STR) in Wackersdorf Bauteile durch die Logistik. Das Besondere: der selbstfahrende Transportroboter benötigt keine im Boden installierten Induktionsschleifen zur Navigation, sondern fährt frei durch die Logistikhalle. Dabei nutzt er bereits verwendete Batterien aus dem BMW i3 nachhaltig weiter und kann bis zu 500 Kilogramm schwere Behälter transportieren. Durch die Abstandsmessung zu Funksendern berechnet der STR die exakte Position und den Fahrweg. Mit Sensoren erkennt und reagiert er auf kritische Situationen und nutzt gemeinsam den Fahrweg mit Menschen und anderen Fahrzeugen. Nach einem fünfmonatigen Prototypenbetrieb geht das Projekt in die Vorserie über. Dabei sind die zehn STR erstmals im Alltagsbetrieb eingesetzt und erledigen Transportaufträge selbstständig. Im nächsten Entwicklungsschritt sorgt ein 3D-Kamerasystem für eine noch präzisere Navigation. Die BMW Group hat das Projekt gemeinsam mit dem Fraunhofer Institut IML in Dortmund auf den Weg gebracht.

Autonome Routenzüge in der Montage

In den Hallen des BMW Group Werks Dingolfing fahren im Rahmen eines Pilotprojektes autonome Routenzüge. Die selbstständig navigierenden Routenzüge werden zur Versorgung in der Montagelogistik eingesetzt – vor allem für Fahrten über längere Distanzen zwischen einzelnen Lagern und Montagebereichen. Technisch funktioniert die selbstständige Steuerung und Navigation der Routenzüge über Lasersignale. Durch Auswertung der Reflektionen entwirft der Routenzug in Echtzeit ein digitales 2D-Raumprofil und ist so in der Lage, auf bestimmten Strecken selbstständig durch Montagehalle und Logistikbereiche zu manövrieren.

Augmented Reality-Datenbrillen unterstützen Logistikmitarbeiter

Augmented Reality-Datenbrillen unterstützen Logistikmitarbeiter und signalisieren dem Mitarbeiter bei der Sortierung von Bauteilen, wo er das richtige Teil findet und wohin er es ablegen soll. In einem weiteren Anwendungsfall geht die Nutzung der Datenbrille noch weiter: Das zu sortierende Bauteil wird dabei von der Datenbrille visuell erfasst und einer optischen Qualitätsprüfung unterzogen. Parallel dazu wird die Bildinformation im Hintergrund mit einer vorher angelegten Datenbank abgeglichen. Schon nach wenigen Millisekunden meldet das System zurück, ob das Bauteil einwandfrei ist. Durch den Einsatz von künstlicher Intelligenz erkennt die Datenbrille verschiedenste Fehlertypen selbstständig.

Connected Distribution: Mehr Transparenz in der Fahrzeugauslieferung

Bei der Auslieferung vom Werk zum Händler wird das Fahrzeug zukünftig zum intelligenten Sensor und versendet oder empfängt wichtige Informationen. Das Fahrzeug übermittelt beim Abstellen seine aktuelle Geoposition sowie seinen Zustand via einer Mobilfunkverbindung an die Logistikzentrale. Diese Informationen helfen, die Termintreue zu steigern und Durchlaufzeiten zu verringern. In einer zweiten Entwicklungsstufe wird das Fahrzeug-Display im Inneren für die Übermittlung von Nachrichten oder die Quittierung von notwendigen Arbeitsschritten in der Transportkette bis zum Händler genutzt. So werden beispielsweise Routeninformationen direkt im Fahrzeug angezeigt und machen die Auslieferung insgesamt effizienter.

Nachhaltigkeit: Schienentransporte reduzieren CO2-Emissionen

Die Logistik trägt zur Erreichung der Nachhaltigkeitsziele der BMW Group bei. Dabei steht der kontinuierliche Ausbau des Anteils CO2-effizienter Verkehrsträger im Vordergrund. Eine Maßnahme zur Reduktion der CO2-Emissionen ist die Erhöhung des Schienenanteils. Heute verlassen zum Beispiel über 60 Prozent aller Neufahrzeuge die Produktionswerke per Schienenverkehr.

Auch bei der Versorgung der Werke mit Produktionsmaterial spielt die Schiene eine wichtige Rolle. Beispielsweise verkehrt zweimal wöchentlich auf der transsibirischen Route ein Zug mit Fahrzeugteilen aus Regensburg und Leipzig bis nach Nordchina. Pro Jahr werden so rund 2.500 Container mit Fahrzeugteilen per Schiene in das knapp 11.000 Kilometer entfernte Shenyang transportiert. Mit einer Transitzeit von unter 20 Tagen unterbieten die direkten Züge den Transport per Seeschiff und anschließend in das Hinterland von China um mehr als die Hälfte bei etwa gleichen CO2-Emissionen. Somit kann mit der Bahn kurzfristig auf Produktionsschwankungen und Nachbestellungen reagiert werden, ohne dass diese Transporte mit dem Flugzeug durchgeführt werden müssen. Mit dieser alternativen Transportoption konnten die Kosten und CO2-Emissionen für eilige Nachsendungen an die chinesischen Werke in den letzten Jahren deutlich gesenkt werden.

Elektro-LKW: Emissionsfrei auf Kurzstrecken

In Zusammenarbeit mit Logistikdienstleistern setzt die BMW Group in München und Leipzig bereits rein elektrisch fahrende LKW im werksnahen Lieferverkehr ein. Dabei geht es zunächst um das Kennenlernen von verschiedenen Antriebstechnologien und das Sammeln von Erfahrungen. Langfristig strebt die BMW Group den kosteneffizienten Einsatz von alternativen Antriebstechnologien an.

De Dodentocht is een sportieve uithoudingstocht bij uitstek, die wandelaars in 24 uur een afstand van 100 km laat afleggen. Om de tocht goed voor te bereiden, kan de organisatie de komende periode rekenen op de nieuwe BMW i3. Deze elektrische stadswagen is sinds deze maand beschikbaar met 50% extra batterijcapaciteit, waardoor bij dagelijks gebruik tot 200 kilometer kan worden afgelegd – oftewel twee keer het parcours van de Dodentocht na elkaar.

BMW ondersteunt de Dodentochtorganisatie al zo’n twintig jaar, steeds met verschillende wagens. Zo is er steeds een BMW X3 of BMW X5 bij om onmiddellijke assistentie te kunnen bieden langsheen het hele parcours, waarvan sommige paadjes midden tussen de velden lopen.

“Met de nieuwe, krachtigere batterij van de BMW i3 beschikt de organisatie van de Dodentocht enerzijds over een krachtige wagen die altijd direct inzetbaar is en anderzijds kunnen ze hun ecologische impact verkleinen”, zegt Thomas Heyens, verantwoordelijke van BMW i.

“Voor de Dodentocht is onze ecologische voetafdruk belangrijk en hebben we reeds verschillende initiatieven genomen. Zo is er een MEP ploeg die instaat voor het plaatsen en ophalen van vuilbakken over een afstand van +/- 20 km én het sorteren van afval, een milieucharter waar we de sponsors / leveranciers vragen om zo veel mogelijk in bulk te leveren, met zo weinig mogelijk verpakking, het gebruik van herbruikbare drinkbekers in het centrum én de lancering van de biologisch afbreekbare drinkbussen voor wandelaars. We maken dan ook graag gebruik van de nieuwe BMW i3, want dankzij de grotere elektrische range kunnen we onze mobiliteitsnood op een groene manier invullen. " zegt Gunter Vergauwen, hoofd-coördinator 100 km Dodentocht.

BMW i3 voortaan met krachtigere batterij.

De BMW i3 (94 Ah) heeft een bruto capaciteit van 33 kilowattuur (kWh), dankzij de hogere opslagdichtheid van de lithium-ioncellen. De afmetingen van de accu blijven ongewijzigd, met een toename van meer dan 50 procent in de standaard NEDC-cyclus, die nu 300 kilometer bedraagt in plaats van 190 kilometer.

Zelfs bij dagelijks gebruik, in slechte weersomstandigheden en met de airconditioning of verwarming ingeschakeld kan met een volledige acculading 200 kilometer worden afgelegd. De rijprestaties van de hybride synchrone elektromotor van 125 kW/170 pk blijven vrijwel ongewijzigd. De motor laat de BMW i3 in 7,3 seconden van 0 tot 100 km/u accelereren. Dat maakt van de BMW i3 zowel de sportiefste als de zuinigste elektrische wagen in zijn segment, met een stroomverbruik van 12,6 kWh/100 km (NEDC).

BMW i3 met Range Extender biedt méér dan 300km autonomie.

De uitvoering met Range Extender krijgt deze upgrade naar 94 Ah ook. In dit geval houdt een 2-cilinder benzinemotor de lading van de accu constant tijdens het rijden en die verlengt op die manier het rijbereik met nog eens 100 tot maximum 150 kilometer (BMW i3 (94 Ah): 11,3 kWh/100 km; gecombineerde CO2-emissie: 12g/km).

De aanbevolen verkoopprijs is € 37.200,00 inclusief BTW voor de BMW i3 (94 Ah) en €41.690,00 voor de BMW i3 (94 Ah) met Range Extender.

München, 6 juli 2015. Milieuvriendelijk en stil transport doorheen München: vanaf vandaag zijn 100% elektrische vrachtwagens van BMW Group en SCHERM Group in dienst. Dit betekent dat de BMW Group de eerste premium autoconstructeur in Europa is die een elektrische vrachtwagen van 40 ton voor het transport van materiaal op de openbare weg gebruikt. De lancering had plaats in de BMW fabriek te München in aanwezigheid van de Beierse minister van economie Ilse Aignier. In bijlage vindt u het volledige Engelstalige persbericht.

BMW heeft alweer motorsportgeschiedenis geschreven op de legendarische Nordschleife van de Nürburgring. Afgelopen zaterdag werd voor de eerste keer sinds 31 jaar het 20.8 kilometer lange circuit afgelegd in een moderne Formule 1-auto voor een menigte van 45.000 mensen. BMW Sauber F1 Teamrijder Nick Heidfeld was zeer enthousiast na 3 rondes gereden te hebben met zijn F1.06. Het volledige persbericht vindt u in de bijlage.

Munich/London. Inspired by the success of BMW's innovative series of
internet-based short films under 'The Hire' banner (starring Madonna, Clive
Owen, James Brown and Gary Oldman, 100 millions viewers), BMW is now entering
another new media arena with audio books. The four debut short stories mix the
best in BMW product with contemporary original literature.

The stories have been designed to be experienced while driving, with the
average length of 45 minutes per story matching the average driver's commute.
The first four stories feature the BMW X3, 1 Series, Z4 and 7 Series models and
scripts have been written by both established and up-and-coming authors - Karin
Slaughter (Kisscut, Faithless, Indelible), James Flint (The Book of Ash, 52
Ways to Magic America), Don Winslow (The Power of the Dog, California Fire and
Life) and Simon Kernick (The Crime Trade, The Murder Exchange).

The first audio book, Don Winslow's Beautiful Ride, features a BMW Z4 and
launches on February 2, 2006, three weeks before the car's European debut at
the Geneva Motor Show. Slaughter, Flint and Kernick's stories will be launched
during the next six weeks.

BMW Audio Books are available for free download via www.bmw-audiobooks.com
Users can then burn their own CDs and / or load the content on their iPods or
other MP3 players. The website also provides background information about the
authors and allows users the opportunity to submit reviews.

The principle behind this new genre for BMW was based on the concept that
senses and experience are influenced by environment. For example, reading a
ghost story while sitting alone at night in a derelict gothic mansion will be
more emotionally involving than reading the same story on a Spanish beach. The
same principle applies to an audio book featuring an exciting or challenging
drive-story heard whilst at the wheel - particularly if the wheel in question
is the same car as described in the story.

Richard Hudson, BMW UK Marketing Communications Manager, said: "BMW Audio Books
are another innovative marketing communication that were inspired by the
success of the BMW Films series. The audio books take a traditional creative
process and twist it into a unique offer for a forward-thinking audience. BMW
has always challenged perceptions and driven new technology forwards and we
believe that BMW Audio Books reflect the same principles. We also think that
the best place to enjoy the stories will be at the wheel of the BMW featured in
the story."

Audio files could be downloaded via the BMW Group PressClub
https://newsroom.bmwgroup.com/global/en