MUNICH: Series production of the new BMW i3 is due to begin in the second half of 2026 at BMW Group Plant Munich.
"All manufacturing technologies and equipment are ready to go, and we are already training our associates for production of the BMW i3. We are taking major strides towards production of first pre-series vehicles, which will then come completely from our plant,” said BMW Group Plant Munich head Peter Weber.
At the plant, manufacturing equipment has been installed in the new body shop and assembly line, and functional checks have been successfully completed.
During this so-called "Common Function Test," every system undergoes dry runs, in which production planners and plant technicians put the machinery through its paces.
All production steps are executed without any parts in the system.
Cycle by cycle, an invisible vehicle takes shape.
Although no actual car is produced, this process provides the certainty that everything operates seamlessly and as planned.
BMW i3 assembly, which has so far been carried out at the nearby Research and Innovation Centre, will be relocating to Plant Munich in January.
Plant Munich is consistently aligned with the guiding principles of the BMW iFACTORY.
Both the new body shop and new assembly line were digitally planned and built from the outset.
Existing installations in the press shop and paint shop are also integrated into the BMW Group’s Virtual Factory.
This made it possible to conduct functional testing of all technologies for the new vehicle generation virtually and well in advance.
In just 18 months, about a third of the plant grounds has undergone extensive remodelling.
Old halls were dismantled, and a new assembly, logistics centre and body shop were built – all while still manufacturing up to 1,000 BMW 3 Series and 4 Series vehicles per day.
