Opened a new Battery Manufacturing Factory in San Luis Potosí by BMW
BMW Doubles Down on Electric Vehicle Transition with New Battery Centers
BMW has announced significant investments in its electric vehicle (EV) transition, with the construction of new high-voltage battery assembly plants in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, and Woodruff, South Carolina.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the High Voltage Battery Production Center in San Luis Potosi took place on May 3, 2023, marking a new chapter in eco-friendly mobility advancement in Mexico. BMW CEO Oliver Zipse, Governor Ricardo Gallardo Cardona, and other BMW executives and local officials attended the event. The company has invested 800 million euros into expanding its plant in San Luis Potosi, with 500 million euros dedicated to the construction of the battery center.
The new facility, spanning 85,000 square meters, will be situated within the existing plant. It will be used for the manufacture of local high-voltage battery assembly and the integration of BMW's future Neue Klasse cars. The center is expected to generate 1,000 new jobs.
In addition to the Mexican plant, BMW has also announced a $700 million investment for a new high-voltage battery assembly plant in Woodruff, South Carolina. The groundbreaking for the new plant took place in June 2023, creating more than 300 jobs.
BMW continues to view Mexico as a crucial hub in the international auto market. The Mexican plant, operational since 2019, employs around 3,000 people and produces the BMW 3 Series, 2 Series Coupe, and the new M2.
The BMW Group plans to spend a total of $1.7 billion to build EVs and batteries in the United States. BMW aims to produce electric vehicles powered by lithium batteries by the start of 2027, with an annual output of 175,000 units.
The San Luis Potosi facility's upcoming battery center is designed with sustainability in mind. A more than 70,000 m solar power installation on the plant grounds and electricity from an external solar farm will supply the plant's green power. The plant's first paint shop operates without producing process wastewater, and it sources only green power.
The investment in San Luis Potosi doubles down on BMW's commitment to electric vehicle transition. The company's decision to establish new battery assembly plants in Mexico and the United States reflects its strategic focus on expanding its EV production capabilities and driving the adoption of eco-friendly mobility solutions.
