Another important milestone has now been set for the expansion of production capacities: In September, a new engine assembly line for the production of highly efficient 4 and 6 cylinder petrol engines went into operation. To this end, the BMW Group has invested a total of around 102 million euros at the Steyr location, of which 73 million euros went into the direct construction of the line and 29 million euros into the necessary process integration of the assembly line into the existing infrastructure.
The new assembly line was set up on two levels with a total area of over 12,800 m 2. The innovative line includes 50 automatic stations with robots and 65 manual workstations for employees.
The special thing is its flexibility: the annual capacity utilization of the production line can be flexibly scaled from 180,000 to 360,000 units. In this way, the range of gasoline engines can be expanded significantly and the volatile market demand can be responded to.
“With the investments in our new assembly line, we are once again sending out a positive signal for Austria as a production location. By further expanding our expertise in the field of gasoline engines, we are preparing for all eventualities at the Steyr plant. Even in times of COVID-19, we will not make any cuts that endanger our future and will try with all means to ensure the high capacity utilization of our plant, "said Dr. Alexander Susanek,
Bundled know-how at one location
The extensive competencies in engine production, component production and the development of drives make the Steyr plant an elementary part of the BMW Group's global research and production network. The plant is also taking important steps for the future in the area of alternative drives, as investments are also being made in the production line for the production of housings for the new generation of electric drives. A further expansion stage will take place in the next few months in order to achieve the planned capacity of 460,000 units by 2025.
The line currently has a capacity of 50,000 units, the next stage comprises a further 50,000 units. This means that a total utilization of 100,000 units is planned in this expansion stage.
“By bundling the concentrated drive expertise at the location, the plant makes a significant contribution to the 'Power of Choice' guiding strategy. Because parallel to the further expansion of the combustion engine, the plant is also relying on consistent electrification. This means that the Steyr location is ideally positioned in all areas and has the flexibility required to actively shape the future of the drive system,” says Michael Nikolaides, Head of Production Motors and E-Drives at the BMW Group.
BMW Group in Austria.
For over 40 years now, the BMW Group plant in Steyr has been one of the most important economic drivers in the country. During this time around 7.5 billion euros were invested in Austria. Today around 4,500 people are employed at the Steyr location. In this way, the BMW Group is making a significant contribution to the sustainable success and above all to the growth of the location. "We are committed to Austria and will continue to invest in the future - in our development center, in the modernization of our production facilities and in digital innovations," concluded Susanek.
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