Starting in 2027, the BMW facility in Munich will exclusively manufacture electric cars, marking a significant shift following a €650 million (£560m) investment to enhance and expand the century-old site.
The company has confirmed that the inaugural model of its innovative Neue Klasse electric vehicles (EVs), serving as the next-generation 3 Series sedan, will roll off the production line in Munich starting in 2026.
Initially, this new electric sedan will be manufactured alongside traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) models at the Bavarian facility. However, by the subsequent year, the entire plant will be devoted exclusively to EV production.
Although specific models haven't been specified yet, BMW's €650 million investment has facilitated the construction of four new buildings, including a state-of-the-art vehicle assembly line and a modern body shop.
To accommodate these changes, combustion engine manufacturing has been relocated to Hams Hall in the UK and Steyr in Austria. This transition to exclusive EV production in 2027 signifies the conclusion of 75 years of internal combustion engine vehicle manufacturing in BMW's hometown.
Established in 1922, the Munich factory initially focused on motorcycles until it became the hub for car production in 1952, with the production of the first Munich-built car, the 501.
Currently, the site produces various models, including the 3 Series, 4 Series Gran Coupé, and electric i4, amounting to approximately 1000 cars per day.
Furthermore, BMW plans to extend Neue Klasse EV production to Debrecen, Hungary, starting in 2026, with subsequent manufacturing in Shenyang, China, and San Luis Potosí, Mexico.