Bright and early, the 2019 Cohort boarded a bus to visit the BMW headquarters and main manufacturing plant. This time the tour guide on the bus was Michael's sister, Brigitte. Brigitte happily pointed out sites along the way that her brother did not get to during the bus tour the day before ("Yippie, yippie, yippie!").

The tour of the BMW facility began with a free-range walk through of the public showroom and retail store, then a 2-hour tour of the multi-floor manufacturing plant. BMW is very particular about protecting its trade secrets, so photos were only allowed on the showroom floor and inside the lecture hall. Photos of the actual manufacturing process were expressly forbidden.

BMW utilizes a workforce consisting of robots and human labor. Robotics are used through most of the facility for body and frame work, as well as painting. Human laborers are used for fine motor skill functions such as engine building, quality inspections, and interior customization.

Traditionally, in Europe, automobile buyers will visit a website to custom select a car and features, have the vehicle built, then purchase it. This results in no mass production of any one type of car. The automated, robotic manufacturing system employed at BMW is set up to handle a production line where no two automobiles are alike.

The facility itself is so large that many employees have to take a shuttle bus from the main entrance to get to their work areas. Despite the large layout and the heavy production, BMW does try to limit the amount of noise pollution they create in order to be respectful of their neighbors. Surrounding the facility are residential buildings which sprung up after the creation of the manufacturing plant.

BMW began its existence as an engine company for the aviation industry. At first, BMW entered the motorized vehicle business with the production of a motorcycle, then the design and production of automobiles. A German and Bavarian pride, BMW endeavors to be on the cutting edge of technology and business structure.

After lunch, the 2019 Cohort met with the Bill McAndrews, the VP of Communication Strategy where he touched upon a brief history of BMW then went on to talk about how BMW is working to remain relevant in a changing industry and economy.