BMW begins iX2 series production.
The new X2 and its all-electric derivative, the iX2, are now
being produced in Regensburg, Germany, by BMW. The automaker established a
third shift in Regensburg with the start of production (SOP) of the second
generation X2.One may already setup the iX2 online, which was unveiled in
October. In Germany, the starting list price for the iX2 xDrive30 is 56,500
euros. The BMW iX2 xDrive30 M Sport has a starting price of £57,445 in the UK.
But BMW doesn't say when the iX2, which is only going to be offered with all-wheel drive at first, will start to be delivered. Early 2024 was a topic of conversation during the
premiere.
For almost a year already, the sibling model iX1 has also been leaving the Regensburg factory. There are two tiny X models with combustion engine versions made there, in
addition to the 1 series. BMW says that it assembles 1,000 cars a day among
these three model series, but it does not specify how the models are
distributed among their electric counterparts. Production between electric drives
and combustion engines is versatile since multiple drive systems are created on
the same line.
The Regensburg facility is immediately moving to a three-shift operation due to the new X2's
standard operating procedure and the increased production quantities. In
addition to the current early and late shifts, there will be a night shift.
before the year's end.
Numerous elements of BMW's "iFacotry" production plan are currently being implemented
in Regensburg as well. Regensburg is "the automotive industry's first
plant worldwide," according to the business, to adopt an automated and
digitalized inspection process from start to finish.
Robots driven by artificial intelligence (AI) are used in serial production to machine and mark
painted vehicle surfaces.
The company also houses a facility for producing EV components. BMW began painting battery cells in Regensburg in April 2021. During the procedure, a thick varnish is applied
to the prismatic cells' aluminum housings, which, according to BMW, improves
the battery cell's mechanical durability and thermal conductivity. From one to
four lines of painting by the end of 2021, high-voltage battery assembly got
underway in October 2022.