BMW Munich Plant Transformed for Neue Klasse i3 Production

BMW reports on Munich plant upgrade for Neue Klasse i3, highlighting EV shift, digital production and efficiency gains. Learn what changes from 2026.

Series production of the new BMW i3 will begin in August 2026 at the Munich plant, marking a pivotal step in BMW’s transition to fully electric manufacturing and the rollout of the Neue Klasse lineup.

This is not just about launching a new model. The Munich facility, with over a century of history, is undergoing a comprehensive transformation. Despite ongoing reconstruction, it continues producing up to 1,000 vehicles per day, while preparing to switch entirely to electric vehicle production by 2027.

The shift is closely tied to the Neue Klasse architecture, which introduces an 800-volt system, sixth-generation batteries with cylindrical cells and cell-to-pack integration, and a new electronic platform built around high-performance computing units. BMW expects these changes to improve driving range and charging speed by around 30 percent compared to previous generations.

Production processes are being fundamentally redesigned. Around 800 robots operate in the body shop, with automation levels reaching approximately 98 percent. The number of joining processes has been reduced to five, simplifying manufacturing. Digital twins and AI-based inspection systems are used throughout the process, enabling detection of even the smallest surface deviations.

Logistics has also been restructured. The plant handles roughly 2.5 million parts daily, and in the future about 70 percent of these will be delivered directly to assembly workstations. Around 60 percent of supply tasks will be handled by automated systems and driverless transport solutions, coordinated through a centralized digital control system.

All these changes are part of the BMW iFACTORY concept, which focuses on efficiency, digitalisation and sustainability. This framework is being implemented across BMW’s global production network to enable more flexible and scalable manufacturing for electric vehicles.

The supply chain extends beyond Munich. High-voltage Gen6 batteries will be delivered from the Irlbach-Straßkirchen facility in Germany, built on a “local for local” approach and using digital twins and AI-driven quality control. Electric motors are produced at the Steyr plant in Austria, where all core components — including rotor, stator, inverter and transmission — are manufactured on site.

The new BMW i3 already has partially disclosed specifications. The i3 50 xDrive version delivers 345 kW and 645 Nm of torque. Preliminary figures suggest a range of up to 900 km (WLTP) and charging power of up to 400 kW, allowing up to 400 km of range to be added in 10 minutes. These figures are not yet final.

BMW is investing around €650 million in transforming the Munich plant. With the launch of the new i3, the company expects to reduce production costs at the site by a further 10 percent, bringing them below the level of the current vehicle generation.

The start of BMW i3 production in Munich signals more than a model launch. It represents a structural shift in how the company builds cars, with Neue Klasse forming the foundation for BMW’s future electric portfolio and Munich becoming one of its first fully electric production sites.