Dingolfing. At the start of this week, BMW Group
Plant Dingolfing began series production of the new BMW 8 Series
Coupé, the sportscar that will launch the BMW model offensive in the
luxury segment. An amount in the low three-digit-million euro range
has been invested in the site in Lower Bavaria in preparation for the
new model series. A large number of digital innovations have also been
integrated into the production process, including self-driving
transport systems and smart devices.
Dr. Andreas Wendt, head of BMW Group Plant Dingolfing: “As the plant
that builds the BMW 7 Series sedans, BMW Group Plant Dingolfing has
outstanding expertise in producing vehicles for the luxury segment. We
are optimally prepared for production of the new BMW 8 Series Coupé. I
am sure our customers around the world will love this luxury sportscar.”
Stefan Schmid, chairman of the Works Council at the Dingolfing
location: “I am proud that we will be producing the new BMW 8 Series
Coupé at BMW Group Plant Dingolfing. It will consolidate our position
as a centre of competence for the luxury class and secure our site’s future.”
Smart material mix and flexible production structures
Intelligent lightweight construction, with a clever mix of materials,
including steel, plastic, aluminium and carbon fibre, is used in the
body of the new sportscar. In addition to the supporting structures at
the front and rear of the vehicle, other components, such as the roof,
doors, bonnet and the front firewall of the all-new BMW 8 Series
Coupé, are made of aluminium.
For the first time in a series-production BMW model, the roof is
available in carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) – which is also
manufactured at the Dingolfing location in an innovative wet-pressing process.
Thanks to the BMW production system’s high level of flexibility, it
was largely possible to integrate the new BMW 8 Series Coupé into
existing production structures. The luxury sportscar, which will roll
off the assembly line alongside BMW 5 Series and 7 Series models,
relies on tried and tested manufacturing processes.
Innovations in the production process
In parallel with ramp-up of the new BMW 8 Series Coupé,
digitalisation of logistics and production processes in Dingolfing
continues apace. For example, in door assembly, parts are delivered to
the line by autonomous tugger trains; on the finish line,
collaborative robots measure gaps and misalignments.
BMW Group Plant Dingolfing increasingly makes use of wearables. These
mobile computer technologies worn on the body support staff with their
tasks. In addition to the ProGlove smart glove scanner, a so-called
“exotics alarm”, for example, will use the vibrating alarm of a
smartwatch to alert staff when a car with non-standard equipment
options is coming up and requires special attention.
Virtual reality glasses have also been used for the first time in
training assembly staff: Specific assembly processes for the new BMW 8
Series Coupé were videoed and viewed by employees through VR glasses.
This enabled them to familiarise themselves with the new model and the
correct fitment process before production ramped up.
Two engine variants available from launch
Two engine choices will be available when the new BMW 8 Series Coupé
goes on sale in November 2018. The V8 engine in the BMW M850i xDrive
Coupé (combined fuel consumption: 10.5 – 10.0 l/100 km; combined CO2
emissions: 240 – 228 g/km)* delivers impressive power: The latest
generation of the 4.4-litre eight-cylinder engine has been completely
redeveloped to deliver a performance topping out at 530 hp and a
torque of 750 Nm.
The BMW 840d xDrive Coupé relies on a diesel engine (combined fuel
consumption: 6.2 – 5.9 l/100 km; combined CO2 emissions: 164 – 154
g/km)* unlike anything else in the competitive environment to deliver
superior traction and low fuel consumption. The 3.0-litre in-line
six-cylinder diesel power unit generates a maximum output of 320 hp
and a maximum torque of 680 Nm.
If you have any questions, please contact:
Birgit Hiller, BMW Group Plant Dingolfing, Head of Communications
Telefon:
+49 8731
7622020, E-Mail: Birgit.Hiller@bmw.de
Thomas Niedermeier, BMW Group Plant Dingolfing, Communications
Telefon:
+49 8731 76 27666 ,E-Mail: Thomas.Niedermeier@bmwgroup.com
Media website: www.press.bmwgroup.com, www.bmw-plant-dingolfing.com
E-mail: presse@bmw.de
The BMW Group Plant Dingolfing
Plant Dingolfing is one of the BMW Group’s 30 global production
sites. At Plant 02.40, about 1,600 cars of the BMW 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8
Series roll off the assembly lines every day. In total, the plant
manufactured more than 376,000 cars in 2017. At present, a total of
approx. 18,000 people and 800 apprentices work at the BMW Group’s site
in Dingolfing.
In addition to the automotive core production, BMW Group Plant
Dingolfing is also home to production facilities for vehicle
components such as pressed parts, seats as well as chassis and drive
components. Due to the plant’s aluminium expertise in vehicle
construction and longstanding experience in producing alternative
drives, BMW Group Plant Dingolfing furthermore provides crucial
components for the BMW i models – such as high-voltage battery,
e-transmission and the drive structure – to the production site in
Leipzig. In addition, Dingolfing produces both high voltage batteries
and electric engines for the BMW Group’s plug-in hybrid models.
The car bodies for all Rolls-Royce models are also manufactured at
the site. The Dynamics Centre, a large storage and transshipment
facility, provides the global BMW and MINI dealership organization
with original parts and equipment.
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 30 production and assembly
facilities in 14 countries; the company has a global sales network in
more than 140 countries.
In 2017, the BMW Group sold over 2,463,500 passenger vehicles and
more than 164,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the
financial year 2017 was € 10.655 billion on revenues amounting to
€ 98.678 billion. As of 31 December 2017, the BMW Group had a
workforce of 129,932 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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