Strong demand following early order opening: BMW Plant Munich launches BMW i3* series production with steep ramp-up curve

BMW Group Plant Munich has started series production of the fully-electric BMW i3, the second model in the Neue Klasse lineup, following high demand since orders opened in mid-June. The plant, which has undergone four years of transformation including new facilities and modernized processes, now prepares to scale output rapidly. Company executives highlighted the model’s popularity and the plant’s strategic importance in BMW’s global production network.

The Munich plant has reduced manufacturing costs by 10% with the i3’s launch, achieved through new production technologies, automation, and digitalization. The site’s overhaul included a new body shop, assembly hall, and logistics areas, enabling more efficient and flexible operations. Peter Weber, head of the Munich plant, emphasized that workforce innovation and continuous improvement are central to maintaining quality while increasing efficiency.

Starting in 2027, Plant Munich will produce only fully-electric vehicles, with the i3 serving as the first of several Neue Klasse models to secure the site’s future. The plant has produced over nine million BMW 3 Series vehicles since 1975 and has been adapted during ongoing production to handle up to 1,000 vehicles daily. A new delivery hall is currently being commissioned for final vehicle inspections before handover to sales.

The BMW i3’s high-voltage battery is produced at the newly built Plant Irlbach-Straßkirchen, while its electric motor is manufactured at Plant Steyr in Austria. These components are supplied under BMW’s ‘local for local’ strategy, supporting regional value creation. The Munich plant now operates under the BMW iFACTORY vision, integrating efficiency, sustainability, and digitalization to enhance global production resilience.