BMW starts series production of electric i3 at Munich plant, cuts manufacturing costs 10%
BMW begins series production of the fully-electric i3 at its Munich plant, with strong demand since orders opened in June driving a steep ramp-up.
- 10%
- 9 million+
- 1,000
What Happened
BMW Group Plant Munich has started series production of the fully electric BMW i3, the second model based on the Neue Klasse architecture. The car has been available to order since mid-June, and high demand has led to a steep ramp-up curve. The launch follows four years of intensive transformation at the plant, including construction of a new body shop and a new assembly hall with logistics areas.
“The models of the Neue Klasse are proving to be very popular. The second Neue Klasse model, the BMW i3, is already seeing strong demand since orders opened ahead of its launch.”
BMW says the start of production lowers manufacturing costs at the plant by a further 10%. The savings come from forward planning, cooperation with development and suppliers, modern production technology, optimised processes, targeted automation and digitalisation, and the Neue Klasse's new vehicle architecture. Starting in 2027, Plant Munich will exclusively produce fully-electric vehicles, securing the plant's future viability. The site was remodelled during ongoing production of up to 1,000 vehicles per day, and is now more efficient, flexible and digital, in line with the BMW iFACTORY production vision.
“With the start of production of the BMW i3, we are lowering manufacturing costs by another 10%.”
BMW 3 Series production begins at Munich plant; more than nine million built since.
Orders open for the BMW i3 ahead of launch.
Series production of BMW i3 starts at Plant Munich.
Plant Munich will exclusively produce fully-electric vehicles.
- Sixth-generation high-voltage batteries from new BMW Group Plant Irlbach-Straßkirchen (Lower Bavaria), about 90 minutes from Munich.
- Gen6 electric motor produced at BMW Group Plant Steyr in Austria, including rotor, stator, power converter and transmission on site.
- Aluminium motor housing supplied by BMW Group Plant Landshut.
- 16.1-13.4 kWh/100 km; 0 g/km CO2; 758-912 km range
- 18.1-15.1 kWh/100 km; 0 g/km CO2; 673-805 km range
Why this matters
The BMW i3 is the second Neue Klasse model, and its launch marks a major step in BMW's transition to electric vehicles at its historic main plant, which will build only fully-electric cars from 2027. A 10% cut in manufacturing costs and new battery and e-motor production in Bavaria and Austria show how BMW is localizing EV supply chains, affecting suppliers and the region's workforce.
Terms in This Story
- Neue Klasse
- BMW's new generation of fully electric vehicles, with the i3 and iX3 being early models.
- Gen6
- Sixth-generation high-voltage battery technology developed by BMW for its Neue Klasse models.
- WLTP
- Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure, the standard used to measure fuel consumption and electric range.
- e-drive
- Electric drive system integrating electric motor, power electronics and transmission.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.