Series production of the new BMW i3 has begun at BMW Group Plant Munich, with the automaker citing strong demand since orders opened ahead of launch in mid-June. The i3 is the second Neue Klasse model to enter series production at the plant, following a four-year rebuild that included a new body shop and assembly hall.

BMW said the start of i3 production would cut manufacturing costs at Plant Munich by a further 10%, building on gains from forward planning, closer cooperation with suppliers and the Neue Klasse’s new vehicle architecture. From 2027, the plant will exclusively produce fully electric vehicles, with further Neue Klasse models expected to follow.

The BMW i3 enters series production at BMW Group Plant Munich (Photo: BMW Group)

Munich has produced the BMW 3 Series since 1975, with more than nine million units built at the plant to date. The site has been substantially remodelled during ongoing production of up to 1,000 vehicles per day, including a new body shop and vehicle assembly hall built across about a third of the site.

In a statement, Jochen Goller, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Customer, Brands, Sales, said: “The models of the Neue Klasse are proving to be very popular. The second Neue Klasse model, the BMW i3, is already seeing strong demand since orders opened ahead of its launch.” Peter Weber, Head of BMW Group Plant Munich, added that the plant was lowering manufacturing costs by a further 10% with the start of i3 production.

Source: BMW Group