Integrating robotics and electric powertrains in BMW production
By Mark Smyth2020-12-14T15:01:00
BMW is on an EV offensive and is taking the opportunity to revamp its plants with automation and digital twins. Mark Smyth spoke to the global boss of production, Milan Nedeljković, about the challenges and opportunities
BMW has ambitious plans to meet the demand for electro-mobility around the world. Earlier this year it revealed its iX3 SUV after years of offering just one fully electric car, the i3. Then at its NextGen 2020 event in November it revealed its new iX, the production version of the iNext concept, which will begin production in 2021. It will be followed by the i4 saloon and then by electric derivatives of most other BMW models, including the X1 and the 3, 5 and 7 Series.
It’s very much all change then as the BMW Group adapts to a new era of electrification, but how will it impact on a production network that manufactures over 2,500,000 vehicles a year? Milan Nedeljković, member of the board of management at BMW AG for production, gives his view on implementing the latest production technology.