BMW announced that its new plug-in hybrid, the 530e, will be built at Magna’s contract manufacturing plant in Graz, Austria, starting this summer.
Magna noted the decision by BMW to have the 530e built in Graz means that the Canadian company is now the manufacturing partner for two premium electrified vehicles – the BMW 530e and the Jaguar I-PACE.
BMW’s decision to build the 530e in Graz isn’t exactly a surprise since Magna already builds the 5-Series for the German luxury carmaker at the manufacturing complex.
Production of the new BMW 5 Series marks the successful continuation of the strategic partnership between the BMW Group and Magna that started more than 15 years ago. The first BMW produced in Graz, an X3 SUV, rolled off the assembly line in Graz in 2003, Magna noted in announcing the new contract.
(BMW hires Magna to build new 5 Series sedan. Click Here for the story.)
This vehicle program further demonstrates the trust BMW places in Magna’s expertise in contract manufacturing and electrified products, Magna officials said.
“We are excited to be adding another electrified vehicle architecture to our line-up,” said Guenther Apfalter, president Magna Steyr. “Vehicle electrification is a growing trend in the industry and, with our complete vehicle know-how, we are in a great position to help our customers meet the demands.”
Magna started the split production on the BMW 5 Series sedan in March and will commence production of the Jaguar I-Pace, Jaguar Land Rover’s first electric vehicle, in the first quarter of 2018.
(Click Here for details about the Jaguar I-PACE.)
Apfalter noted Magna Steyr is celebrating a milestone, having produced a total 3 million vehicles for various automakers during the life of the plant in Graz.
The Magna Steyr plant in Graz can build roughly 200,000 units annually. Over the years, Magna Steyr has also produced vehicles such as BMW’s Mini Countryman and the Mercedes-Benz ultra-expensive sport utility vehicle, the G-Wagen. Reports circulating in Europe also have suggested that Magna is looking to expand its contract manufacturing business by adding a second plant, possibly in Slovenia.
Magna is one of the auto industry’s top global suppliers with 321 manufacturing operations and 102 product development, engineering and sales centers in 29 different countries around the world.
(Global initiative seeks to push EVs to account for 30% of new car sales by 2030. Click Here to see more.)
It offers complete vehicle engineering and contract manufacturing expertise, as making body, chassis, exterior, seating and powertrain components for automakers around the world. In recent years, Magna also has branched out to provide driver assistance and vision systems.
