BMW has spent €400m on expanding its production plant in Leipzig so that its new, “born electric” models can be made in a simpler and more modern way than conventional vehicles. However, the innovation doesn't start there but at the OEM's JV in Moses Lake, US, which makes the carbon fibres used for the lightweight bodies of the all-electric i3 and – soon – the hybrid i8.

Read the article here.

Watch i3 production here, starting with carbon fibre manufacture at Moses Lake:
 

Life module production at BMW Leipzig:

Production of the thermoplastic skin at BMW Leipzig:


"We have moved on to the next generation"
Helmut Schramm, head of BMWi production,
on the pioneering all-electric, carbon fibre i3


Parallel assembly of the Life module and Drive module at BMW Leipzig:

Drive module production, beginning at BMW Dingolfing and ending at Leipzig:

Cockpit and thermoplastic shell production at BMW Landshut and Leipzig: