14:33 17-09-2025

BMW iX3 production kicks off at Debrecen's new digital factory

BMW is gearing up for a pivotal milestone: at the end of October, series production of the iX3 will begin at the brand-new plant in Debrecen, Hungary. This model will open the strategic Neue Klasse lineup, which by 2027 is set to bring together more than 40 vehicles built around new technologies and design.

The project distills the iFACTORY principles into practice: digital planning, careful resource use, extensive robotics, and a drive to minimize emissions. The plant was designed entirely in a virtual environment, allowing every stage to be tested and refined in advance. On the shop floor, around 1,000 robots take on key operations, while details like invisible door seals and expanded space for the battery pack underline the technological ambition of the new platform.

Environmental impact is a focal point: producing a single iX3 results in just 80 kg of CO2e, achieved through process optimization and the integration of green solutions in the paint and body shops. For a mainstream crossover, that figure looks notably restrained.

For BMW, launching the iX3 in Debrecen signals a clear shift into a new era—taking the digital factory from concept to reality. In essence, it reads as more than a new crossover: it’s the foundation for what comes next, a platform poised to underpin dozens of future models.