What the last V8 made in Munich means for BMW

On 10 November, something poignant happened at BMW's headquarters in Munich. The last internal combustion BMW engine was built on the assembly line closest to the brand's headquarters.

That last engine assembled on the Munich line is telling for the brand so closely associated with amazing petrol and diesel powerplant innovation. Still, it's not the end of BMW's petrol and diesel engines. The assembly responsibilities, which have anchored the business in Munich for a century, are now globally distributed. BMW builds engines in many locations, including South Africa.

The supply chain responsibility that ended in Munich has been transferred 400km southeast to Austria. BMW’s Steyr facility will keep building the N63 and S63 engines, while the British Hams Hall production asset becomes the sole global source of S68 and N74 engines.