German automaker BMW AG has confirmed that it is preparing for the introduction of a new range of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) at its majority-owned BMW Brilliance Automotive (BBA) plant in Shenyang, China, later this year.
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The introduction of the new models is expected to result in prolonged production stoppages at the plant from July, affecting production of current BEV models such as the iX1, i3, and i5. The automaker was quick to emphasize that such stoppages are routine, and typically linked to new product cycles, with the company expecting to have to closely manage capacity and resources in the coming months.
BMW is preparing for the launch of a new generation of BEV models based on its new dedicated ‘Neue Klasse’ BEV platform. They will replace outgoing models based on the CLAR platform, which was developed from an existing internal combustion engine (ICE) platform.
The first Neue Klasse-based model to go into production at the Shenyang plant is expected be the long-wheelbase BMW iX3, in the fourth quarter of 2026. It will be the first of at least six models to be based on this platform in China.
The new iX3 will have an 800-volt architecture and will feature the company’s sixth-generation eDrive technology. It will be powered by a fast-charging 108 kWh battery pack using cylindrical battery cells, providing a driving range of 900 km. It will also feature a navigation assistance system developed in collaboration with local technology company Momenta.
