BMW has increased production of the iX3 at its Debrecen plant from two to three shifts this month, effectively moving to round-the-clock manufacturing.
The reason is strong demand: BMW has already said that 100,000 orders for the iX3 have been placed in Europe alone, and BMW North America is accelerating the market launch of the electric SUV iX3 faster than expected because of strong customer demand.
Fastest production ramp-up ever
BMW emphasizes that its Hungarian plant successfully transitioned from series production to a three-shift operation in approximately eight months. This, it states, is “the fastest production ramp-up any new BMW Group plant has ever experienced”.
Specifically, BMW celebrated the start of production in Debrecen in October 2025, with full series production beginning shortly afterward. In March, BMW already announced it would increase to two shifts due to high demand. This September, the next step, to three shifts, followed.
All iX3 variants are currently produced exclusively in Debrecen. However, from 2027, parallel production is being prepared in Mexico, while a locally produced long-wheelbase version of the iX3 is also set to launch in China.
The rapid expansion to three shifts is justified by the model’s success. Just a few weeks ago, the 50,000th iX3 rolled off the production line in Debrecen. In the year following the world premiere of the new BMW iX3, 100,000 customers across Europe have already ordered the model.
Hans-Peter Kemser, President and CEO of BMW Group Plant Debrecen, explained: “Such a ramp-up is only possible if the workforce grows in line with production volume. Recruiting and training so many new employees in such a short time is the result of extraordinary teamwork.”
The commitment of our employees, their exchange of knowledge, and their strong team spirit shape the corporate culture of BMW Group Plant Debrecen and make such results possible,” he added. Currently, around 5,000 employees work for BMW in Debrecen.
Second product coming in Debrecen
Meanwhile, BMW has announced a second product launch for Debrecen in the coming months: “Production of a second, entirely new model from the Neue Klasse will begin at the site this autumn.” The manufacturer has not yet provided further details. The announced model will probably be the electric SUV coupé, internally known as NA7 and likely to be marketed as the iX4.
As early as March 2023, BMW stated that, following the successful platform launch, it planned to launch six models based on the Neue Klasse within 24 months. The German specialized magazine Automobilwoche confirmed these plans at the beginning of this year.
Two of these six models are now in production: in addition to the iX3 from Debrecen, BMW is already producing the i3 at its main plant in Munich. Series production of the i3 began in August.
Acceleration in North America
BMW North America is accelerating the market launch of the electric SUV iX3 faster than expected because of strong customer demand. Deliveries reportedly began ahead of schedule. In the USA, the BMW iX3 50 xDrive can be ordered starting at $61,500 (€53,500).
For the model destined for the US market, BMW specifies a range of 383 to 434 miles and a power output of 463 hp for its high-performance electric SUV. BMW North America lists the battery capacity at 112.2 kWh, with AC charging up to 15 kW and DC charging up to 400 kW.
The iX3 50 xDrive in North America also has bidirectional charging, specifically V2L (2.4 kW), V2H (3.6 kW), and V2V (7.7 kW), so the car’s battery can power other equipment, another vehicle, or a home.
This functionality should eventually enable grid stabilization by feeding energy back into the grid during peak hours and absorbing energy when renewable energy production is high.
