On Tuesday, we got on the road bright and early at 7:00 a.m. to head to BMW in Munich. After what felt like a long bus ride, we finally arrived at the BMW facility, which was one of the visits I had been most excited for throughout the trip. Since BMW was also the company my group would be presenting on for our final project, I paid especially close attention throughout the day and took a lot of notes during both the presentation and tours.
We started the day with a guest speaker presentation where we learned more about BMW’s development, supply chain, and future plans within the automotive industry. One of the major topics discussed was the company’s sustainability roadmap and transition toward electric vehicles. BMW emphasized its investment in electric mobility, reducing emissions, and adapting to the future of the automotive market.
After the presentation, we got to experience the BMW factory tour, which has definitely been one of my favorite experiences so far on this trip. It was incredibly interesting to see the factory actively operating in real time. One thing that surprised me the most was how few people were actually working on the factory floor. The majority of the production process was being completed by robots and automated systems. At one point during the tour, we stood on a platform above one of the assembly lines while conveyor belts moved different parts of the vehicles below us. Within seconds, groups of robots began rapidly welding and assembling the cars while sparks flew throughout the production area. Seeing how quickly and precisely the robots worked was honestly one of the coolest visuals I have ever seen. It really showed how advanced and efficient modern automotive manufacturing has become. Watching the robotics throughout the factory also made me even more excited for our upcoming visit to KUKA later in the week.
Although BMW discussed its sustainability goals heavily throughout the day, I also noticed some tension between the company’s future ambitions and the current reality of the industry. While BMW is clearly investing heavily in electric vehicles and sustainability, traditional gas-powered vehicles still appear to remain a large part of production. It made me realize how difficult it must be for a global company to balance innovation and sustainability while still maintaining profitability and meeting consumer demand.
Following the factory tour, we visited the BMW Museum, where we got to see the history and development of the company since it was founded in 1916. My favorite part of the museum was seeing Elvis Presley’s BMW on display. The museum also showed how strongly BMW connects itself to German and Bavarian identity through engineering, innovation, and performance. BMW presented itself as more than just a car company — it felt like the company views itself as part of Germany’s industrial and technological identity.
After we returned from Munich, our group went to Enchilada Augsburg to celebrate my roommate Erin’s birthday. I ordered birria tacos, which were honestly very good and one of my favorite meals I have had so far during the trip. It was a fun way to end such a long and exciting day with the rest of the group.
Overall, the visit made me feel like BMW does have a strong path forward despite the turbulence within the automotive market. The company appears very aware of the changes happening within the industry and seems committed to adapting through innovation, sustainability, and advanced technology.
