The cornerstone-laying ceremony for BMW’s new Lightweight Design Center under construction at the Landshut site was recently held by the company, bringing the research center one step closer to reality.
Once completed, the center is expected to host around 160 engineers, who will be working on the creation of new “innovative materials and manufacturing processes,” which are intended for use in next-gen vehicle development. The facility is expected to be up and running by the end of next year.
The Chief of Production at BMW AG, Oliver Zipse, commented: “Lightweight construction is one of the key technologies of the global automotive industry and a key differentiating feature in competition. In addition to all dynamic driving benefits the lower weight also provides substantial CO2 savings. The concentration of light metal, castings, plastic and fiber composite expertise at a single location is unique in the world. Landshut and lightweight are already mentioned in one breath.”
Altogether, the company is investing roughly €20 million into the research center.