BMW is ramping up its electric vehicle (EV) production with plans to produce a second fully-electric model at its factory in Regensburg. The iX2 will follow the iX1, which has been rolling off production lines since autumn 2022.
By late 2023, BMW aims to hire approximately 500 new employees at the site and invest over €350 million in vehicle production. While it is not clear where exactly the investment will go, it is evident that the German automaker is preparing the plant for a greater number of EVs.
See also: BMW starts production of iX1 electric crossover in Regensburg, Germany
Already, in Q1 2023, every fifth car produced in Regensburg was an EV. BMW plans to increase the percentage of EVs produced at the plant to 33% by 2024. With the iX1 and iX2, this goal is well within reach.
Little is known about the iX2’s technical specs, but it is unlikely to differ significantly from the iX1. The latter model features a 64.7 kWh battery and an electric all-wheel drive with 200 kW system power (230 kW in boost). The iX1’s range is between 413 and 438 kilometers, depending on the trim.
Regensburg’s EV production is boosted by the nearby EV component factory in Leibnizstraße. The factory has an assembly area of roughly 45,000 square meters and has already assembled 30,000 high-voltage batteries since its commissioning in autumn 2022.
The plant is also equipped to paint battery cells, which are coated with a thick varnish to increase mechanical robustness and thermal conductivity.
See also: BMW iX1 electric crossover teased, make debut at the end of this year
Markus Fallböhmer, Head of Battery Production at the BMW Group, stated: “The close connection of component production to vehicle production is part of our strategy. Within less than two years, we have completely converted our component plant in Leibnizstrasse for electromobility.
BMW’s investment in Regensburg and the production of the iX2 is yet another step towards the company’s goal of electrifying a third of its Bavarian plants by 2024. The automaker is clearly committed to the EV revolution and is making strides to become a leading player in the market.
