BMW has begun series production of the new i3 electric sedan at its main plant in Munich, the company announced on August 6.
Orders have been open since mid-June. The carmaker said strong demand had prompted a rapid increase in production volumes.
The plant underwent a four-year transformation for the i3 launch, including a new body shop, assembly hall and logistics areas. The work was completed while existing production of up to 1,000 vehicles a day continued.
“With the start of production of the BMW i3, we are lowering manufacturing costs at Plant Munich by another 10%,” — Peter Weber, head of BMW Group Plant Munich.
From 2027, the Munich plant will produce only fully electric vehicles. Other Neue Klasse models are expected to follow the i3 onto the production line.
Sixth-generation high-voltage batteries for the i3 will come from BMW’s new Irlbach-Straßkirchen plant. Gen6 electric motors will be produced at the company’s Steyr facility in Austria.
The Steyr plant will make the e-drive’s core components, including the rotor, stator, power converter and transmission. BMW’s Landshut plant will supply the electric motor housings.
