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BMW Group Launches Series Production Of Electric Motors For Neue Klasse At Plant Steyr
BMW Group has commenced series production of Gen6 electric motors at Plant Steyr. This initiative supports the Neue Klasse and highlights the company's commitment to e-mobility and advanced technology.
The BMW Group Plant Steyr has initiated the production of its first electric motor for the Neue Klasse. Milan Nedeljković, a member of BMW AG's Board of Management, stated, "Today, we are laying the foundations for the future of the BMW Group." This marks a significant step as Plant Steyr becomes integral to the global production network for these motors.
In 2022, BMW announced plans to produce this electric motor in Steyr. Klaus von Moltke, SVP of Engine Production for BMW AG, expressed pride in delivering on this promise. He noted that this launch signifies more than just increased production; it reflects a commitment to Europe and technological advancement.
BMW is investing over a billion euros by 2030 to expand e-drive development and production at Steyr. This investment ensures that Steyr remains a key location for drivetrain expertise within the BMW Group. The plant has been producing internal combustion engines for over 40 years and will continue to do so alongside electric motors.
The Gen6 electric motor represents a fully-electric drivetrain produced at Steyr. It will be distributed across the production network, powering the Neue Klasse models. The plant's extensive experience makes it ideal for manufacturing these advanced motors while maintaining flexibility in engine production.
Core components like rotors, stators, transmissions, and power converters will be manufactured at Plant Steyr. The aluminum housings will be cast at Plant Landshut and processed further in Steyr. This marks an entry into electrical engineering for the Austrian facility.
The Gen6 e-drive follows a modular system approach, allowing flexible production of various drivetrain derivatives for Neue Klasse models. This modularity results in cost savings and improved scalability of production volumes while keeping supply networks adaptable.
Technological Enhancements
The Gen6 electric motor has undergone comprehensive improvements. Its rotor, stator, and power converter are designed for an 800-volt architecture to enhance performance and efficiency. Geometry and cooling enhancements optimize the two-stage spur gearbox while refining acoustics for better customer experience.
The power converter uses silicon carbide technology to boost efficiency by converting DC from high-voltage batteries into AC for the motor. These advancements lead to reduced weight, costs, and energy loss, significantly increasing vehicle efficiency by about 20% compared to previous models.
BMW's U.S. Presence
BMW of North America was established 50 years ago to support sales and distribution in the U.S. Over time, it expanded with facilities like BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC in South Carolina and MINI USA. Today, BMW operates nearly 30 locations across 12 states with a strong corporate presence.
Plant Spartanburg is BMW's largest single production facility globally and specializes in Sports Activity Vehicles like the X3 and X5. It assembles over 1,500 vehicles daily and contributes significantly to the U.S. economy by supporting over 120,000 jobs nationwide.
The efficient design of new powertrains combined with high-energy batteries enables ranges up to 800 km (WLTP) in models like the BMW iX3 from Neue Klasse. Martin Kaufmann from BMW AG highlighted that energy loss is reduced by 40%, costs by 20%, and weight by 10% compared to previous models.
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