BMW celebrates the production kick-off for the first-ever 2 Series Gran Coupe (F44) at the group’s Leipzig facility. The newest addition to the compact model portfolio now joins the new 1 Series, which is being assembled at the site since July this year.
Hans-Peter Kemser, Leipzig plant manager said on the occasion: “We are proud to produce the new four-door coupe at the Leipzig plant for the entire world market. This new vehicle leads to a significant increase in volume.”
The BMW Leipzig plant, located in the northern part of Germany, is accelerating the process of becoming a competence facility for the BMW entry-level compact models. With the advent of the 2 Series Gran Coupe, the production for the new model was seamlessly integrated into the whole assembly process without the need of further adaptations and without jeopardizing the production of the new 1 Series, which is at full swing.
The Leipzig factory is also undergoing a daily investment program which aims to reduce costs and improve production efficiency through the optimization of various complementary and auxiliary facilities, such as the Integrated Paint Process, the press shop, the body construction and the assembly logistic structures.
Hans-Peter Kemser commented: “Integrating a second, completely new vehicle concept while production is running so quickly, and at the same time expanding capacity, just after the start of production of the new BMW 1 Series poses a special challenge. I am very proud of the employees Employees of the plant who master this Herculean task with perfection and passion.”
At the start of sales, a range of three powerplants will be available for the new 2 Series Gran Coupe: 1 diesel (220d Gran Coupe) and 2 petrol choices (218i and M235i xDrive). In addition to the new F40 1 Series and F44 2 Series Gran Coupe, the Leipzig plant is also the production site for the 2 Series Coupe, the M2 Competition and the front-driven BMW compact MPVs (2 Series Active Tourer, 2 Series Gran Tourer).
Additionally, the factory will also expand its production to meet customer demands for the i8 plug-in hybrid sports car in Coupe and Roadster versions and the all-electric i3.
Kemser further added: “This high level of flexibility and employee competence are the hallmarks and thus a genuine success factor of our Leipzig production system.”
