The BMW factory in Leipzig built four million cars

BMW’s smallest car in the Individual color is something of a rarity, but there’s another reason why we’re bringing this 1 Series forward. Painted in Anglesey Green, this four-cylinder 120 gas model marks an important milestone for the Leipzig factory. The compact hatchback will go down in history as the four millionth vehicle built at the site. Coincidentally, this “F70” will be released when the factory celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2025.

This 1 Series goes to a customer in the Netherlands, one of around 1,300 cars produced at the factory every day. The BMW Leipzig plant has already assembled 148,084 units of this generation since production began at the end of last year. The same factory also builds the mechanically related 2 Series Gran Coupé and the 2 Series Active Tourer. In addition, the Countryman is manufactured in Leipzig, making it the first plant to produce BMW and MINI under one roof.

Although the factory now focuses exclusively on compact cars, that wasn’t always the case. Production began in 2005 with the 3 Series Sedan (E90). Over the years, some of the most exceptional BMW models have been built here, including the i3 hatchback from 2013 to 2022 and the i8 coupe from 2014 to 2020.

The i8 Roadster was also assembled in Leipzig, but only 3,884 examples were produced between 2018 and 2020. Speaking of small series cars: An honorable mention goes to the 1 Series M Coupé, of which only 6,342 examples were completed in 2011 and 2012.

Looking back at past milestones, the one millionth vehicle was a 116d in Alpine White, completed in December 2011. An i3 in Protonic Blue reached the two million mark in October 2016, followed by an M240i convertible in Sunset Orange, which reached the three million mark in March 2021.

Leipzig was the sixth most productive BMW plant last year, with production increasing by 30.8% to 246,195 units. The German luxury automaker expects to set another record by the end of this year.

Below you will find a breakdown of all models assembled in Leipzig since March 1, 2005:

Photos: BMW