BMW Enters Final Phase Before Launch of Neue Klasse with Debrecen Plant Set to Begin Production

Debrecen, Hungary – The BMW Group is entering the final stretch before rolling out the first model from its highly anticipated Neue Klasse. Series production of the all-electric BMW iX3 is set to commence in late October at the company’s newest and most advanced facility, the BMW Group Plant Debrecen.

The plant, described as the most innovative in BMW’s global production network, has been designed fully in line with the company’s “iFACTORY” strategic vision. Built without reliance on fossil fuels, the facility operates entirely on renewable energy and incorporates cutting-edge digital processes to achieve unprecedented levels of efficiency.

“The start of series production for the BMW iX3 signals a new era of automotive manufacturing,” said Milan Nedeljković, BMW AG Board Member for Production. “Our plant in Debrecen is digital from the outset, highly efficient, and designed to run completely without fossil fuels.”

Digital-first, sustainable production

The Debrecen plant was planned and built digitally from the ground up, with operations virtually tested in advance through BMW’s “Virtual Factory” in March 2023. This digital twin approach allowed production lines and robotic systems to be installed and validated for maximum efficiency.

Key features include:

• Body shop: Nearly 1,000 robots positioned through digital simulations, streamlined joining methods, and design elements such as seamless door seals to reduce complexity and enhance efficiency.

• Paint shop: Powered exclusively by renewable energy, reducing CO₂ emissions by up to 12,000 tonnes annually. Innovative systems such as energy recovery, a thermal storage facility, and a large-scale photovoltaic farm cut plant emissions by around 90%.

• Logistics: Fully electric in-house logistics supported by autonomous tugger trains and Smart Transport Robots, with 80% of parts delivered directly to the correct assembly point.

“We accepted the challenge of building an entirely new vehicle in an entirely new plant – in the leanest and most efficient way possible,” said Hans-Peter Kemser, Head of BMW Plant Debrecen. “This facility showcases efficient production, innovative processes, and the flexibility to adapt to future models.”

A new era for BMW

The BMW iX3 will be the first model to debut under the Neue Klasse, introducing technologies and designs that will define BMW’s future lineup. Between 2025 and 2027, innovations from the Neue Klasse will be integrated into 40 new models and updates across the brand.

Advanced digitalisation will also play a central role in production. BMW’s in-house AIQX platform uses sensors and cameras to automate quality control, provide real-time feedback, and prepare vehicles to become connected participants in the Internet of Things ecosystem.

With Plant Debrecen set to begin production, BMW marks a significant step toward its sustainable, digital, and flexible vision of the future of mobility.