Production of the sixth-generation BMW 3 Series for the 2012 model year officially started on October 28. You know what that means? The new BMW 3 Series should roll into BMW of Sioux Falls, located at 101 S. Carolyn Ave on time. To add to your excitement over its February arrival, we're going to tell you a little about the automaker's efforts, leading up to the cars' build.
In preparation, BMW started by investing $700 million in their home plant, in Munich. These funds went, in part, toward the addition of a high-tech press capable of processing 600-tons of steel a day. Such speed is capable of processing all of the metal used in the Eiffel Tower in just over a week and a half and will be employed to built 680 units of the sixth-gen BMW 3 Series per workday!
BMW also brought in a new team of innovative robots to join those transferred from the Leipzig plant. Together, the bots will use a leading-edge seaming technique to reduce overall vehicle weight, improve rigidity, enhance vehicle dynamics, and optimize safety.
Taking the luxurious, posh atmosphere of the new 3 Series a hundred steps further, BMW has even added a new machine to the plant that will finish the venerable vehicle with firewall soundproofing. The engine will be so inaudible, passengers may ask if they're in an electric.
Of course, machines and robots can improve quality and efficiency only by so much. Before, starting production of the next-gen 3 Series, BMW also strengthened their manpower. Frank-Peter Arndt, Member, BMW AG Board of Management explains, "The BMW 3 Series is the most important volume-produced model from the BMW Group as well as the biggest-selling model in the entire premium segment. To ensure that the sixth generation of the BMW 3 Series likewise leaves the factory in flawless quality, we have invested around 500-euros [approximately $700 million] in our Munich home plant. And that means safeguarding 9,000 workplaces."1
Nine-thousand workplaces! As you can imagine, the Munich's mayor, Christian Ude, was quite pleased with such impressive job creation. "BMW is not just one of our major employers and corporate tax payers, but beyond that also actively contributes to the wellbeing of the city,"2 he says.
The "being" Ude reference transcends economics to includes processes to cut non-recyclable waste created from each next-gen 2012 3 Series to just eight grams (or 0.01763 pounds). In addition, BMW is taking efforts to mitigate all noise pollution the facility produces by installing sound-absorbing cladding, a high-tech ventilation system, silencer and enhanced transport logistics.
As you see...It's not just the 3 Series that's notable. It's the company behind the sleek design, precocious performance, dependable safety and couture comforts. To learn more about the forthcoming 3 Series or BMW's distinct manufacturing philosophies, contact BMW of Sioux Falls today. Or, drop by and visit us in person at 101 S. Carolyn Ave in Sioux Falls, SD. We're always happy to talk about the brand, share new BMW specs, compare models and arrange test drives.
Source: 1,2 http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/28/bmw-announces-start-of-new-3-series-production/ [INFO] http://www.bmwusa.com/standard/content/experience/newsfeed/post/2011/10/14/Introducing-The-All-New-6th-Generation-BMW-3-Series-Sedan.aspx