BMW Announces Carbon Fiber Production in Washington for Megacity Urban EV

 BMW Announces Carbon Fiber Production in Washington for Megacity Urban EV
Bimmerfest East 2003 - E46 Carbon Fiber Hood

Jointly-operated with SGL Automotive

BMW will build a new factory in Moses Lake, Washington to produce carbon fiber parts for the Megacity electric-vehicle.

Jointly-operated with SGL Automotive, the plant will import raw materials from Japan, spin them into fibers one-tenth the width of a human hair, and then send them to SGL's factory in Germany to be turned into carbon fiber fabric. Once completed, the sheets will be sent to BMW's Landshut plant to be turned into carbon fiber components. Eventually, the finished parts will be shipped to Leipzig, Germany where the Megacity will be assembled.

Ground breaking will begin in June and SGL plans to invest $100 million (€74,660,720 / £ 65,544,325) on the first phase of construction. According to Theodore Breyer, deputy CEO of SGL, "This will be the leading carbon-fiber plant in the world."

Source: freep.com

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 peterjames7 peterjames7
sounds like the carbon footprint of the mega city will be as big as the prius before anyone even drives it...
April 7, 2010 3:16 pm
 EDavis EDavis
Japan to Washington State to SGL factory in Germany to BMW's Landshut plant in Germany to BMW's plant in Leipzig, Germany. Now that's EfficientDynamics. Maybe they'll source the headliner fabric from Brazil via Austrailia, and then to Germany.
April 7, 2010 3:40 pm
 BavarianMS BavarianMS
They chose that location for the use of hydro-power to run the plant.
April 8, 2010 12:29 am
 sideskraper sideskraper
Not just that (or the tax breaks). SGL carbon in has just about the most advanced carbon fibre manufacturing facilities in the world in Washington for the aerospace industry, amongst others. Locating it nearby their existing facilities allows them to leverage their expertise and technology effectively.
April 8, 2010 2:19 am
 Mikeado Mikeado
I doubt the hydro-power will cancel out the air miles and lorry driving needed.
April 8, 2010 2:26 am
 sideskraper sideskraper
Hydroelectric power is cheap. Power hungry industries see their bottom line benefit if there is access to cheap electricity.
April 8, 2010 4:52 am
 moodyaaa moodyaaa
i am thinking about M5 in full carbon body.
April 7, 2010 5:18 pm
 BavarianMS BavarianMS
I think that is a great investment for BMW. Lightweight is always the big key that cost lots of money. If they can do this to make CF more affordable than its a huge plus.
April 7, 2010 5:23 pm
 sub39h sub39h
liking the old german car fans stamp on the photo lol... ahh, good times!
April 7, 2010 6:11 pm
 jerry05cod4 jerry05cod4
+1
April 7, 2010 10:39 pm
 schizo schizo
Good eye! I second that as well...
April 7, 2010 11:36 pm
 Edison Edison
Wow, that is some well-travelled stuff. Wonder how expensive this Mega-City will be. I like the fact that they are trying to achieve low consumption through low weight. The inherent benefit here is good performance as well.
April 7, 2010 6:24 pm
 Mikeado Mikeado
Ah, carbon fibre. Just the low-cost, low-guilt material an Urban Electric Vehicle needs... Seriously, are BMW losing it? They've been in a lot of posts in recent weeks and some of it has been quite disagreeable.
April 8, 2010 2:23 am
 sideskraper sideskraper
You're missing the point.
April 8, 2010 4:49 am