Summary
BMW says Neue Klasse production is operating at five plants and that it has accelerated the rollout of vehicles using its sixth-generation high-voltage batteries. The company expects the Gen6 models to support profitability as the portfolio expands.
BMW says production of its Neue Klasse vehicles is now running at five plants, as it accelerates the rollout of models using its sixth-generation high-voltage batteries. In a statement on 4 November 2026, the company said it had increased the Gen6 ramp-up and would phase out some previous-generation battery-electric vehicles sooner than planned.
Gen6 production spreads across BMW’s network
BMW says Neue Klasse production is under way in Debrecen, Munich, Dingolfing, Spartanburg and Shenyang. At Debrecen, operations have expanded to three shifts to meet demand, and the iX4 will be built alongside the iX3.
The company describes Gen6 as the new high-voltage battery generation used in all battery-electric Neue Klasse variants. It opened a new facility in Irlbach-Straßkirchen in early October to supply its German plants, and said it had also opened a Gen6 facility in Shenyang. Series production in Woodruff, South Carolina, is scheduled to begin before the end of 2026, with San Luis Potosí, Mexico, following in 2027.
BMW’s statement lists WLTP electric ranges of 666–806 km for the iX3 50 xDrive and 680–828 km for the iX4 50 xDrive. WLTP figures are standardised test results; range in everyday driving can vary with conditions and vehicle use.
The broader rollout includes the updated 7 Series, 3 Series versions with battery-electric and internal-combustion powertrains, and the X5 with multiple drivetrain options. BMW also said the iX3 would launch in China in November 2026, where it intends to strengthen local research, development and sourcing.
Profitability targets shape the transition
BMW linked the faster Gen6 ramp-up to its financial and portfolio plans. The earlier phase-out of some Gen5 battery-electric vehicles will affect 2026 earnings, the company said. It expects the better margins of Gen6 products to contribute to portfolio transformation and profitability, while giving no model-level margin figures in the statement.
The company reported a 3.5% operational EBIT margin for its Automotive Segment over the first nine months of 2026 and €2 billion in Group earnings in the third quarter. It reiterated an interim target of 3–5% Automotive Segment EBIT margin in 2028 and a long-term target range of 8–10% at the beginning of the next decade. These are company targets; the faster production ramp-up is one part of BMW’s stated plan to pursue them.