The vehicle was officially handed over by Peter Weber, Director of BMW Group Plant Munich, to Franciscus van Meel, CEO of BMW M GmbH, in a ceremony that not only celebrated a historical figure, but also the evolution of a division that has taken the performance of the circuits to the streets for more than 50 years.
The event also has an important connection with Latin america: Mexico is part of the international network of production of BMW M thanks to the manufacture of the BMW M2 in San Luis Potosí.
A million vehicles BMW M
Million represents far more than a figure for the BMW M. From its origins, the division of sport BMW has built its identity around the high-performance, technology and a philosophy that seeks to combine the capabilities needed for the circuit with vehicles able to be used all day.
The BMW M3 chosen to commemorate the event also maintains a strong link with Munich. The current generation of the sporty occurs in this plant from the 2020 and their story will continue there during the transition from BMW to a new generation of electric vehicles.
“BMW M combines the capabilities for both road and circuit with the convenience needed for everyday use,” explained Franciscus van Meel.
For the executive, up to a million vehicles confirms that, four decades after the arrival on the market of the first BMW M3, clients continue to associate himself with that combination.
Mexico, a key piece in the global history of BMW M
Although the vehicle number a million came out of Munich, the contemporary history of BMW M also passes through Mexico.
BMW Group Plant San Luis Potosi currently produces the BMW M2, one of the sport's most representative of the range M, from where it is sent to different international markets.
The mexican plant is also involved in the production of variants and models related to the high performance, among them the BMW M2 CS, BMW M2 Racing and the BMW M240i xDrive, reinforcing the importance of Mexico within the productive structure global BMW Group.
In addition, there is another connection mexicana behind the M2: the external design of the model was the responsibility of the designer mexican Jose Houses.
In this way, the participation of Latin america in the BMW M goes beyond representing a market for their cars. Mexico is directly involved in the manufacturing and development of some of the models that build the current identity of the division of sport.
The future of the BMW M3 will be electric
The vehicle's number one million also works as a starting point for a new stage.
BMW confirmed that the Plant Munich will produce the first BMW M3 fully electric, a high-performance model that will incorporate the technology BMW M Neue Klasse.
The future M3 will be the second model, Neue Klasse produced in Munich after the BMW i3 all-electric, model, whose production is also referred to later to San Luis Potosí.
For BMW M, the electrification does not mean abandoning the philosophy that has defined the brand. The goal will be to move their performance characteristics to a new technology architecture and a new generation of vehicles, all-electric.
“We are very happy that you also come here the first BMW M3 fully electric,” said Peter Weber. “BMW M has a particular emotional significance to our partners, so we are particularly proud to contribute actively to the future of this icon.”
Munich is transformed to a new generation
The historic plant German-crosses one of the most important transformations in its history.
From 2027, the BMW Group will exclusively all-electric vehicles at its Plant in Munich. To prepare for this transition, the company is investing around € 650 million in the modernisation of the facilities.
The project includes new productive structures, processes, digitized, and logistics areas, and a modern assembly line. Approximately one-third of the total surface area of the plant has been earmarked for new facilities, including a new area of the body.
The transformation has been carried out while the factory is still in operation, preparing the facilities for next-generation models and, particularly, for high-performance vehicles as the future BMW M3 electric.
Munich to San Luis Potosi: a global history
The million vehicles produced summarizes the evolution of BMW M: a division closely related to motor sport to a brand of high performance industrial presence international.
Munich preserves the historic link with the BMW M3, while San Luis Potosí represents an important part of the global expansion of BMW M through the BMW M2.
For Mexico, the event takes on a special meaning. A BMW M made in mexican territory, and with an exterior design that was in charge of a mexican form part of the history that led to the BMW M up to your first million vehicles.
Now, while BMW M celebrates the past, the next chapter is already underway: electrification, Neue Klasse and a new generation of sports that will seek to keep intact one of the letters more recognized within the universe BMW: M.
Source: BMW Group