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In Steyr, Austria, the BMW Group has successfully completed the construction of new production halls dedicated to the future manufacturing of electric drives, marking a significant advancement in the automotive industry’s shift towards electrification. Initiated in September 2022, the project celebrated its topping-out ceremony one year later, showcasing the rapid progress made. The facility spans 60,000 square meters and stands as a testament to BMW’s commitment to innovation and sustainability.
Helmut Hochsteiner, the head of electric drives at the BMW Group’s Steyr site, expressed satisfaction with the project’s pace, emphasizing the transition to the next critical phase of equipping the facility with approximately 300 pieces of plant and machinery. This installation, valued at over 500 million euros, is crucial for kickstarting pre-series production by July.
The machinery includes a diverse array of equipment, notably a 30-meter-long ‘marriage’ station, where robots and systems will integrate the transmission with the main motor. This highlights the sophisticated technology and engineering expertise behind BMW’s electric drive production.
Klaus von Moltke, Senior Vice President of Engine Production at BMW AG and Plant Director of Steyr, outlined the project’s economic impact, confirming an investment exceeding 500 million euros. This investment not only reinforces BMW’s dedication to the Steyr site but also sets the stage for the commencement of e-drive series production for the Neue Klasse by autumn 2025.
The assembly hall welcomed its first piece of equipment, a crane, in January, setting the stage for the intricate assembly process of power electronics components. This crane plays a pivotal role in transferring components between assembly stages, ensuring a seamless production flow.
By 2030, BMW Group plans to invest 1 billion euros in e-drive production at Steyr, aiming to produce over 600,000 e-drives annually. This ambitious goal underscores BMW’s commitment to leading the transition to electric mobility while maintaining high production volumes of diesel and petrol engines, which continue to be a crucial part of Steyr’s product portfolio.
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