BMW will build the electric versions of the upcoming X5 and X7 SUVs, most likely called the iX5 and iX7, at its Spartanburg plant in South Carolina, the company confirmed to the specialized media Wards Auto. An iX6 coupe similar to the current X6 is expected to follow. This should give the company some peace of mind amid the on-and-off-again import tariff saga that has shaken the industry.
Currently, BMW’s U.S. factory in Spartanburg is churning out no fewer than eight combustion-powered SUVs, and by 2030, the German automaker wants to add at least six electric SUVs to its assembly lines. BMW’s South Carolina factory is the largest U.S. automotive exporter by value, making the overwhelming majority of BMW SUVs. Now, it appears that this trend will continue in the electric era as well.
The first American-made BMW EVs are likely to be the iX5, which is set to go into production next year, followed by the larger iX7, scheduled for 2027. While direct competitors are mainly based on purpose-built electric vehicle platforms, the iX5 and iX7 will continue to utilize the CLAR architecture, which is designed to easily accommodate either an electric powertrain or a combustion engine and transmission, providing BMW with the flexibility it seeks on its multi-powertrain path.
Shadow of the ‘Neue Klasse’
Of course, both electric SUVs will borrow many features from the new EV-only ‘Neue Klasse’ architecture, such as motors, batteries, and controllers, resulting in a much more efficient drivetrain. Speaking of batteries, BMW is investing $700 million in the Spartanburg plant to build a new battery facility nearby, as well as an extra $1 billion to upgrade the vehicle assembly lines. Other features include the 800V electric architecture, sixth-generation cylindrical battery cells, and the new digital cockpit with a so-called panoramic head-up display system.
However, the smaller BMW iX3, the first of the new wave of Neue Klasse-based EVs, will be revealed in September, followed by the i3 sedan next year, and could also be the first BMW EV produced in the States. It remains unclear where the U.S.-spec iX3 crossover will be sourced from until now. One rumor says Mexico, but that has not been confirmed yet. In Europe, the battery-powered iX3 will start production at the new factory in Debrecen, Hungary.
U.S. strategy
Spartanburg, BMW’s largest global production site, is central to the brand’s strategy to electrify its SUV lineup, especially in the U.S.. The factory has long served as the manufacturing base for X models destined for both North America and export markets. With the addition of electric variants of the X5, X6, and X7 – alongside the existing plug-in hybrid production – BMW is retooling Spartanburg as a major electrified vehicle hub. The company has stated it plans to produce at least six fully electric models in the U.S. by 2030.
The shift is supported by the construction of the new Woodruff battery plant, which will supply sixth-generation battery packs. Developed in partnership with Envision AESC, the Woodruff facility is designed to meet BMW’s sustainability and performance targets, using locally sourced materials wherever possible.
BMW says that capacity at Plant Spartanburg will expand from 180,000 vehicles to around 290,000. The total square footage will also increase significantly. Last year, BMW manufactured 70,000 plug-in hybrid cars in Spartanburg.
