BMW’s New Body Shop Produces a Car Every 57 Seconds

BMW is stepping up its game in vehicle production with the commissioning of a brand new body shop at Plant Site 6.12 in Neutraubling. This move is more than just about expanding space. It is a signal of strong commitment to meeting global demand for two of its most popular models: the BMW X1 and BMW X2. The local commissioner, Tanja Schweiger, and Neutraubling’s mayor, Harald Stadler, were present at the launch, a clear indication of how important this development is not only for the brand but also for the local community.

According to Plant Director Armin Ebner, the new production hall in Neutraubling is already pumping out over 120 vehicle bodies per day. These are then sent to the Regensburg plant, where they are assembled into finished cars around the clock using a three-shift system. This streamlined operation helps keep up with the ever-increasing demand from customers all over the world.

Commissioner Schweiger emphasized that this expansion is a clear forward-thinking move by BMW, especially in today’s unpredictable economic landscape. She sees this as a strong message about Regensburg’s value as an industrial hub. Mayor Stadler added that having vehicle bodies stamped with “Made in Neutraubling” rolling across the globe fills him with pride and reflects the strong economic partnership BMW has with the town.

At Regensburg, which is now BMW’s highest-volume vehicle plant in Europe, a new car rolls off the line every 57 seconds. That adds up to more than 1,400 vehicles every day. In 2024 alone, the plant produced 342,521 cars — a significant jump from 2023’s 238,301 units. Over one-third of the vehicles built in 2024 were either plug-in hybrid or fully electric, proving that the company is putting its money where its mouth is when it comes to electric mobility.

The new body shop itself is impressive. Spanning approximately 40,000 square meters, it is housed in a hall built back in 2003 that BMW previously used for logistics. About 150 employees work in a single shift at the facility. To make this expansion possible, BMW had to obtain a change of use approval, which was granted in April 2024. Ebner gave a big thank you to the local authorities for their quick and cooperative support.

What is even more impressive is the speed at which the new body shop came together. In less than 12 months, the entire transformation from a logistics hub to a high-tech body production line was completed. This involved dismantling old infrastructure and installing 294 robots and 238 welding guns, which now handle up to 4,771 weld points on each vehicle body. Since March, the new shop has been fully operational, sharing production duties for the BMW X1 with the main Regensburg body shop.

This whole move is part of a broader vision. With over 550 million euros invested in the Regensburg and Wackersdorf sites in the past two years, BMW is not just building cars — it is building the future. Ebner highlighted that the team is already preparing for the next model generation, including the NEUE KLASSE platform that promises advances in digitalization, electrification, and sustainability. Major updates to Regensburg’s body shop, paint shop, and assembly line are ongoing, with even more planned during a five-week production pause in the summer of 2025.

The plant’s transformation and efficiency were recently recognized with the “FACTORY OF THE YEAR” 2024 award in Germany. Judges praised Regensburg’s innovation, flexibility, and teamwork, calling it a shining example of modern car manufacturing. That recognition only confirms what the numbers already show — BMW’s strategic expansion is not only working, it is setting new industry standards.