Magna to build new hybrid BMW 5-Series at Austrian contract manufacturing plant
by Canadian Manufacturing.com Staff
The Canadian auto parts company will assemble the new plug-in sedan in Graz, Austria, adding a second electrified vehicle to its lineup
The BMW 530e can cover up to 50 kilometres (31 miles) and reach 140 km/h (87 mph) using just electric power. PHOTO: BMW
SAILAUF, Germany—German luxury carmaker BMW has contracted Canadian auto parts company Magna International Inc. to build its new 5-Series plug-in hybrid.
The Aurora, Ont.-based company will assemble the new BMW 530e at its plant in Graz, Austria—a contract manufacturing facility where it’s previously built a number of vehicles, including the BMW X3 and Mini Paceman.
Magna did not release the value of the contract.
The 5-Series will become the Graz plant’s second electrified car program after Magna won a contract to produce Jaguar’s new I-Pace at the site last year.
“We are excited to be adding another electrified vehicle architecture to our line-up,” said Guenther Apfalter, president of Magna Steyr, the division that oversees the Graz plant. “Vehicle electrification is a growing trend in the industry and, with our complete vehicle know-how, we are in a great position to help our customers meet the demands.”
Magna is already building the petrol version of the 5-Series in Graz and said it will begin manufacturing the hybrid in early 2018.
BMW says the 530e can range up to 650 kilometres (404 miles) with a full gas tank and its 9.2 kWh lithium-ion battery fully-charged. Meanwhile, it can cover up to 50 kilometres (31 miles) and reach 140 km/h (87 mph) using just electric power.
