BMW Munich Plant Starts Electric i3 Production in 2026

The Munich plant operated by BMW will start manufacturing the i3 sports saloon in August 2026. The facility has received around €650m (US$760m) in investment to prepare for production of the Neue Klasse range.

According to BMW, the site will manufacture exclusively electric vehicles from 2027 onwards. This could mark a complete transition from internal combustion engine production. The i3 is the second model in the Neue Klasse lineup, following the iX3.

Milan Nedeljković, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG for Production and incoming Chief Executive Officer, says: "We have been making rigorous preparations. With the BMW iFACTORY we have devised a consistent, strategic framework for our production."

The transformation occurred while the plant continued manufacturing up to 1,000 vehicles daily. BMW Group Plant Munich has been producing cars and motorcycles since 1922.

Automation systems deployment

According to BMW, 800 new industrial robots were installed in the body shop to handle joining processes. This could expand the facility's automation capabilities. The company claims an automation rate of roughly 98%.

The systems were planned using virtual twin technology. This allowed engineers to simulate and optimise production flows before physical installation.

BMW has introduced automated surface inspection using cameras and artificial intelligence for quality control in the paint shop and body shop. These AI-powered systems can identify even minor defects, which could improve quality standards while reducing inspection time.

Milan adds: "We have paved the way for the upcoming start-ups in all our plants and have invested heavily in technologies, digitalisation and AI."

Workforce and transformation management

Peter Weber, Plant Manager at the Munich site, says: "The people at the factory played an essential role in making this transformation a success. With their high level of expertise, enthusiasm and tremendous dedication, our employees have shown that world-class industrial production is possible even under the toughest conditions.

"We have rethought the entire value stream from supplier to finished customer vehicle. We have looked at every single process in detail and made optimisations.

"We are thereby safeguarding the future viability of the plant."

The company updated existing technologies alongside the new installations, which could ensure compatibility between legacy systems and new automation equipment. BMW focused on implementing artificial intelligence assisted systems throughout the facility.

Quality control systems

In the paint shop, BMW implemented digital and AI-assisted systems that control central quality processes.

An AI-assisted camera system supports quality control before an underground transport system moves parts from the press shop to the body shop.

The Munich facility will manufacture multiple Neue Klasse models beyond the i3. Production of the i3 Touring is planned for the site, with additional model variants expected to be announced as the electric vehicle programme expands.

The first model to be manufactured at the site, the i3, is equipped with bidirectional charging capabilities. This allows owners to send energy back to the grid or power appliances.

i3 specifications and future

According to BMW, the vehicle features an 800 volt battery and two electric motors generating 345 kW of power. The manufacturer states the car has a 562 mile range on a single charge.

Peter adds: "The BMW i3 is just the beginning, several Neue Klasse models will be manufactured in Munich in the future, including the BMW i3 Touring."

BMW's iFACTORY framework focuses on efficiency, sustainability and digitalisation. The Neue Klasse models are designed specifically for electric vehicle production, with platform architecture that differs from previous BMW vehicle ranges.

The facility will continue to serve as a manufacturing location for the company's electric vehicle expansion plans. Production capacity at the site could be adjusted as demand for the Neue Klasse models develops.