BMW kicks off lithium-ion battery production at JV plant

rooster59 · September 6, 2019

BMW kicks off lithium-ion battery production at JV plant

By The Nation

From left to right - Mr. Uwe Quaas managing director, BMW Group Manufacturing Thailand, Khun Jaturon Komolmitr, director and Chief Operating Officer, Grand Prix International PCL, Dr. Prachin Eamlumnow, president, Grand Prix International PCL. Khun Kornphattawee Muangnoy, Deputy Director General, Department of Industrial Works, Ministry of Industry and Mr. Gerhard Irnesberger, Plant Director, DRÄXLMAIER Group.

BMW has started up its Bt500-million joint venture facility with Germany's Draxlmaier for the production of lithium-ion batteries.

Located in WHA Chon Buri Industrial Estate 2 and the first high-voltage battery assembly plant of the German luxury carmaker in Asean, it will supply both battery modules and batteries.

The factory works on battery cells from overseas suppliers such as aluminium housing, electronics and cables.

According to BMW, production of its 4th-generation high-voltage batteries utilise cutting-edge production technologies onsite including laser welding, plasma activation, robotics, gluing, automated optical and electrical inline quality inspection along with end-of-line testing.

Uwe Quaas, managing director of BMW Group Manufacturing Thailand Co Ltd, said, “The start of local battery production enables us to better respond to growing domestic demand for electrified vehicles in Thailand. This new capability will also strengthen the performance of our plant in Rayong in line with the country’s policy of sustainable mobility.”

The assembly plant in Rayong churns out regular internal combustion engine models as well as PHEVs (Plugin Hybrid Electric Vehicles) such as the 330e, 530e, X5 xDrive40e and the 740Le. Batteries from the new facility in Chon Buri will initially be used for the 530e.

BMW had earlier applied for BoI (Board of Investment) privileges for its Bt700-million investment in PHEV production.