BMW Confirms U.S. Production of iX5, iX6, and iX7 Electric SUVs

BMW will manufacture the electric iX5, iX6, and iX7 in South Carolina, integrating Neue Klasse tech and investing $1.7B in U.S. facilities.

BMW is accelerating its electric transition by moving production of key EV models to the United States. The automaker’s Spartanburg plant in South Carolina—already the largest U.S. automotive exporter by value—will become the production hub for the upcoming iX5 and iX7 electric SUVs. The iX5 is set to enter production in 2026, followed by the full-size iX7 in 2027.

A coupe-inspired iX6 is also expected to join the lineup, although BMW has yet to announce a timeline. All models will be built on the company’s flexible CLAR platform, which accommodates both combustion and electric drivetrains. However, BMW is blending this foundation with core elements from its Neue Klasse EV architecture, including high-efficiency motors, 800-volt electrical systems, next-generation controllers, and Gen6 cylindrical battery cells that promise up to 30% more range and similarly reduced charging times.

This hybrid approach provides both performance gains and manufacturing flexibility—key advantages as automakers navigate the shifting terrain of U.S. trade policy. BMW has committed a total of $1.7 billion in investments: $1 billion to modernize the Spartanburg assembly lines, and another $700 million to build a new battery assembly facility in nearby Woodruff. That site will use battery cells supplied by AESC’s upcoming gigafactory in Florence, South Carolina, which will offer a projected 30 GWh of annual capacity.

The move is not only a hedge against tariffs but also a strategic effort to solidify BMW’s place in the growing luxury EV market. The iX7 is expected to go head-to-head with the Cadillac Escalade IQ, while the mid-size iX5 will rival the Tesla Model X and Cadillac Vistiq. Interestingly, BMW has no plans to develop a second-generation iX, choosing instead to focus on electrified versions of familiar nameplates enhanced with next-gen tech.

Meanwhile, the future of the iX3 in the U.S. remains uncertain. The next-generation model will be built in Hungary for the European market, but for North America, BMW is reportedly eyeing its San Luis Potosi plant in Mexico, with production beginning around 2027. Whether that plan holds may depend on how political winds shift over the coming years.

Rather than rushing into Neue Klasse, BMW is gradually weaving its advanced technologies into established platforms. While this approach allows for cautious scaling, it also raises the bar for fully realized Neue Klasse models yet to come.