BMW begins production of the first pre-series units of the i3

After starting production of the first model of the Neue Klasse at the Hungarian plant in Debrecen last October, BMW is pressing ahead with its electric strategy. As the Bavarian manufacturer has just announced, the first pre-series units of the new i3 have begun rolling off the assembly line at its main plant in Munich. The i3 will be the second model of the Neue Klasse.

BMW is thus sticking rigorously to the plan previously drawn up by the company’s management, now entering the final phase of preparations that will culminate in the start of series production of this new-generation electric saloon, scheduled for the second half of this year.

The new assembly lines at the Munich plant, dedicated exclusively to the electric models of the Neue Klasse, are already up and running in test mode. This milestone follows in mid-December last year, when the Bavarian manufacturer confirmed that the adaptation work at the Munich plant, required to start production of electric models, had been completed.

New times at the BMW plant in Munich

Although the Munich plant already assembles similar models such as the 3 Series and 4 Series – but with combustion and hybrid engines – implementing the manufacturer’s iFACTORY strategy has required profound changes. Over the last 18 months, the company has transformed around a third of the facility without halting regular production, a notable logistical achievement.

It is important to note that the production of pre-series units, as in this case, does not exclusively aim to assemble the first i3 units, but also serves to validate and refine the entire production process. Initially, BMW assembled a few units at the company’s Research and Innovation Centre with support from the plant team, which allowed it to accumulate experience and train staff on the real assembly line. Now, having completed that first phase, the vehicles have begun to go through all production stages in the same plant, testing not only the assembly but also the complete logistics, including material flows, facilities and work sequences.

Although the initial production volume is very low, BMW stresses that all processes must work flawlessly from the very first moment. Digital simulations were used to plan every detail, and it is now, in contact with real vehicles, that it is possible to implement some additional improvements. In the coming months, BMW will focus its efforts on adjusting and optimising every component, tool and digital system, including the approval checks of the new facilities.