BMW i8 visits nation's capitol
Senator Maria Cantwell, D-WA, left, BMW North America CEO Ludwig Willisch, center, and Senator Jim Risch, R-ID, right, view the new BMW i8 in Washington, D.C. last week.
WASHINGTON, D.C.- BMW's newest model from its i-series line of cars, which are all made with carbon fiber manufactured in Moses Lake, was recently showcased in the nation's capitol.
The BMW i8 was in Washington, D.C. last week as part of a visit hosted by Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA). BMW North America president Ludwig Willisch was also on hand and test drove the i8 with Cantwell.
American sales of the new i8, a plug-in hybrid sports car, are expected to begin this August. The car starts at $135,700, according to BMW's United States web site.
Like the i3, the new i8 is made of carbon fiber manufactured in Moses Lake.
The BMW/SGL plant currently produces about 3,000 metric tons of carbon fiber a year with two production lines in one building. The plant's second building, with lines three and four, will be commissioned this year and bring the plant's capacity to 6,000 metric tons of fiber a year.
A $200 million plant expansion already underway will bring production capacities to 9,000 metric tons a year once complete. BMW and SGL officials broke ground on their third production building this past May.
Once complete, the Moses Lake facility will be considered the world's largest carbon fiber plant. Officials from both companies previously said they anticipate the third building will be completed in 2015.
Cantwell said the two BMW cars have the first two carbon fiber car frames in a mass market vehicle.
"We're proud the carbon fiber for these ground-breaking cars is made right in Moses Lake, Washington," she said in a statement. "BMW's investment means jobs in Grant County and it means the State of Washington will continue to lead the way on lightweight composite technology that reduces fuel consumption and increases efficiency."
Using carbon fiber instead of steel can lower a car's weight by 50 to 70 percent, which improves its battery range and fuel economy. The material is also 30 percent lighter than aluminum and 50 percent lighter than steel, helping auto makers cut vehicle weight and carbon emissions.