BMW begins series production of the i3 at its Munich home plant
München, August 6, 2026: Five months after its world premiere, the "Neue Klasse" is rolling off the line in Munich: at its main plant, BMW has launched series production of the fully electric i3 — the first Neue Klasse model from German manufacturing.
On 6 August 2026, series production of the new i3 began at the BMW Group plant in Munich. Following the iX3 manufactured in Debrecen, Hungary, the electric sedan in the 3 Series format is the second model in the "Neue Klasse" lineup – and the first from Germany. According to the company, production is ramping up with a "steep launch curve"; the order start, which was moved forward to mid-June, has generated strong demand.
This was preceded by around four years of renovation during ongoing operations: a new body shop, a new assembly hall including logistics, and a new delivery hall on approximately one third of the plant site; according to BMW, production costs are set to fall by ten percent. From 2027, Munich will build exclusively fully electric vehicles. The sixth-generation high-voltage batteries will come from the new plant in Irlbach-Straßkirchen, and the motor housings from Landshut.
At launch, only the i3 50 xDrive will be produced — 469 PS, up to 912 kilometres WLTP range, starting at €65,900 (First Edition from €75,340). The first vehicles will reach dealerships in autumn; the i3 30 and i3 40 variants as well as the i3 Touring will follow in 2027.
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Source: BMW Group PressClub