With an investment of 800 million euros , the German assembly company BMW announced that it will produce “NEUE KLASSE” electric cars at its plant located in San Luis Potosí. In addition, he revealed that they will start up a high-voltage battery production center. 

"We are reconfiguring our production network to move towards electric mobility. In Mexico, we are investing 800 million euros in our plant and creating nearly 1,000 new jobs," said Milan Nedeljković, Member of the Board of Management at BMW AG responsible for Production. . 

In a press conference, Harald Gottsche, president and CEO of the BMW Group Plant San Luis Potosí , announced that the production of the new electric vehicles will begin at the beginning of 2027. 

He explained that in this plant they will continue to produce the BMW M2 models, the 3 Series and the BMW 2 Series Coupé, but it is expected that in the coming years the production will be entirely electric vehicles. 

Currently, he said, the San Luis Potosí plant produces 150,000 vehicles and with the incorporation of the new electric cars it is expected to manufacture 175,000 units per year. 

He recalled that the company plans that, by the end of 2030, more than 50% of its global vehicle sales will come from fully electric models.

The Mexican plant is characterized by its responsible management of resources and measures to reduce carbon dioxide. In addition, this site is home to the first BMW Group paint shop to operate without producing wastewater in the process, as it is treated and reused. 

Likewise, it uses green energy that is generated in the installation of solar panels that has an area of ​​more than 70,000 square meters and complements it with electricity that comes from a solar park. By 2024, it will expand its total panel area in the plant to 140,000 square meters.

High voltage battery production center 

Of the 800 million euros that will be invested , 500 million will be allocated to the construction of a new high-voltage battery production center , located on the grounds of the Plant in San Luis Potosí. 

Harald Gottsche explained that they are in the planning stage of this center, which is estimated to begin construction in 2024 and battery production to begin in 2026.

The production center will cover an area of ​​85,000 square meters. More than 500 additional employees will work there, producing state-of-the-art batteries for fully electric vehicles.

"With this new investment, our plant in San Luis Potosí will play a central role in the transition of the BMW Group towards electric mobility," he said.

Likewise, he commented that the company reinforces its commitment to Mexico and its participation in the production network, not only due to its strategic location but, above all, thanks to a solid work team: "After a little less than four years of having started its operations, we already produce three models in this plant, we supply 74 global markets ”.

The ' NEUE KLASSE' models will use new round lithium-ion battery cells, developed specifically for what will be the sixth generation of BMW eDrive technology . The new battery format will increase density by 30%. At the same time, CO2 emissions from cell production will be reduced by up to 60%, since cell suppliers will use energy from renewable resources, and in the case of raw materials such as lithium, cobalt and nickel , They will use a percentage of secondary materials.

San Luis Potosí is electrified 

At the official investment announcement event for the production of electric cars and high-voltage batteries for  BMW in San Luis Potosí , Andrés Manuel López Obrador, President of Mexico; Marcelo Ebrard, Secretary of Foreign Relations of Mexico ; and José Ricardo Gallardo, governor of the state. In addition to the executives of BMW . 

During his speech, Harald Gottsche highlighted that it is the first premium automaker to produce high-end vehicles and state-of-the-art batteries. “ Today we begin a new stage. San Luis Potosí will be totally electric”.

For his part, Milan Nedeljković stated that they decided to invest in Mexico due to its industrial strength. “ Today's announcement further deepens our commitment to Mexico. Today we produce three models in the country and to date we have invested around 1,200 mde. In addition, we have made a significant investment in the training of our collaborators ”.

Marcelo Ebrard pointed out that electromobility has gained greater momentum in the world. For this reason, he maintained that the federal government ordered that the commitments to increase clean energy be increased and that automotive companies have been promoted to accelerate the production of electric vehicles and batteries. 

“Mexico is sought to be a leading country in this new form of production, which adds value to our economy and society. Countries that do not achieve this are not going to be in the new market.

In his speech, López Obrador said that the government has two objectives in economic matters: to reactivate the economy to combat poverty and boost productive activity. He maintained that the T-MEC has promoted the arrival of record foreign investments in the country because " Mexico has many advantages, including first-rate workers."

Finally, he thanked BMW for trusting in Mexico, in San Luis Potosí and in the Mexican workers.

BMW IN MEXICO

* It will create about 1,000 new jobs in San Luis Potosí.

* The BMW San Luis Potosí Plant , located in the Desarrollo Logistik II Industrial Park , is one of the most sustainable.

*Adopted state-of-the-art technologies to be highly flexible and carry out efficient processes.

*The facilities promote predictive maintenance to monitor around 800 robots, machines and more than 600 motors, predicting and avoiding failures.

*Additive manufacturing or 3D printing allows the San Luis Potosí Plant to manufacture lighter parts with complex geometry.

* BMW Plant San Luis Potosí has ​​a digital twin to plan future changes and modify existing facilities efficiently, precisely and flexibly.

https://www.visita-bmw-slp.com.mx/