BMW has confirmed that the BMW 1-series three-door model line, which goes on sale across Europe this summer, will be produced in Leizpig, in eastern Germany.

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The ‘greenfield’ plant was opened in 2005 and has since produced only one model line, the 3 series – it began with sedans in both left- and right-hand drive. The plant has body assembly and paint shops, and ingenious final assembly lines that can easily be lengthened or shortened, but no panel pressing or engine building facilities.


Construction, including integration and test operations, took just under three years and overall investment volume was estimated at EUR1.3bn.


When opened, BMW said Leipzig eventually would have capacity of up to 650 vehicles a day and a start-up workforce of 2,500, rising to over 5,000.


A BMW spokesman would not comment on the plant’s current model mix but confirmed all 1-series three-door versions would be made there.

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