BMW Group has begun series production of its all-electric BMW iX3 at its new Debrecen plant in Hungary — the company’s first manufacturing facility designed to operate entirely without fossil fuels.
Ahead of the launch, Milan Nedeljković, BMW board member for production, said: “The start of series production for the BMW iX3 signals a new era of automotive manufacturing. Digital from the very beginning, the plant will offer a new dimension in efficient production without fossil fuels.”
The €2 billion facility reflects BMW’s iFACTORY strategy, prioritising digitalisation, efficiency, and sustainability. It runs exclusively on renewable electricity, supported by a 50-hectare solar farm that supplies around a quarter of its annual energy needs. Surplus energy is stored in a 130 MWh thermal system, while waste heat from production is recovered and reused to further reduce emissions.
In the paint shop — traditionally one of the most energy-intensive areas — electric heating replaces natural gas, cutting carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) emissions by up to 12,000 tonnes annually. Overall, BMW says the plant generates just 34 kg of CO₂e per vehicle, around 90% lower than comparable factories.
Hans-Peter Kemser, head of BMW Group Plant Debrecen, noted: “We have taken on the challenge of building a completely new vehicle as the first job at an entirely new plant – and doing so in the leanest, most efficient way possible.”
The entire site was digitally planned and validated before construction, enabling BMW to optimise production virtually. Nearly 1,000 robots are deployed in the body shop, while AI-driven systems continuously monitor quality during assembly.
The facility will also build BMW’s sixth-generation high-voltage batteries on site, shortening supply chains and deepening regional integration. Designed as a global network hub rather than a satellite plant, Debrecen shares expertise across BMW’s worldwide manufacturing ecosystem.
A workforce of 2,000 employees received training across BMW plants in Germany, China, South Africa, Mexico, and the United States.
The iX3 is the first model in BMW’s Neue Klasse platform, which will support around 40 new electric models and updates by 2027. BMW says the Debrecen plant sets a new benchmark for efficient, digital, and sustainable vehicle production.
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