It was time for our first company visit. After a long bus ride through traffic, we finally arrived at the BMW headquarters in Munich. Once we checked in, we attended a presentation from a BMW employee who introduced us to the company’s current corporate strategy and more about the company, followed by a short Q&A session. After that, it was time for the factory tour. Because we were running behind schedule, our guide gave us a speed tour instead of the usual two hour tour but it was still one of the most impressive things I’ve ever seen. The level of automation in the factory was incredible. Robots and highly advanced systems handled much of the production process, while employees mainly monitored operations to ensure everything ran smoothly. Our guide walked us through each step of the production line, from shaping components and painting the cars to final assembly and quality checks before the vehicles are sent out for testing. The factory produces around 1,000 cars every day. One of the most surprising details was that even small imperfections can be corrected easily. For example, if the paint doesn’t fully cover a section, the car is sent back through the painting line again. In those cases, the car actually ends up with an extra layer of paint, making it even more durable and resistant to scratches. Seeing the final stage of production like the cars coming straight off the line, fully assembled and ready to go was an unforgettable memory.
After the tour, some of us grabbed lunch at the factory food area before heading to the BMW Museum. It was fascinating to see how BMW’s design and technology have evolved over the years. To end the day, we visited Olympiapark, where the Olympic Games were once held. We stopped by the swimming arena and took some photos with the Olympic rings. Afterward, we headed back to Augsburg, wrapping up a long but truly memorable day.
