BMW’s oldest factory will only build electric cars

BMW’s iconic Munich production plant will manufacture only electric cars from the end of 2027.

The brand will use the plant to produce its Neue Klasse sedan in 2026, before transforming into the first plant within BMW’s network to solely produce electric cars.

“We are investing € 650 million (AU$1 billion) here and will produce exclusively all-electric vehicles in our parent plant from the end of 2027,” said Milan Nedeljković, member of the board of management of BMW AG, production.

BMW’s oldest factory will only build electric cars

“Last year alone, six all-electric models went into production. At the same time, we also set a production record, proving that we are simultaneously able to both deliver and shape the future in our production network.”

According to Peter Weber, director of BMW Group Plant Munich, the factory is currently responsible for producing around 1000 vehicles per day.

As of today, it’s undergoing construction at large sites in preparation for Neue Klasse in 2026 – and beyond.

The Munich plant has already seen electrified models come off its production line including the first plug-in hybrid models of the BMW 3 Series in 2015. The plant later started all-electric vehicle production with the i4 in 2021.

Currently, the plant manufacture the 3 Series (including Touring, plug-in hybrids, and M3). The 4 Series Gran Coupe and i4 also continue to be manufactured in Munich.

The plant has been producing combustion-powered models since 1951 with the launch of the BMW 501. Engines are no longer manufactured in Munich, with production moved to Britain and Austria.

1200 employees from the plant who previously worked in engine production have been trained for different projects in Munich or taken up employment at other BMW locations in preparation for its electric vehicle takeover.

Outside of Munich, BMW will produce Neue Klasse vehicles in its Debrecen, Hungary plant before extending across to Shenyang, China, and San Luis Potosí, Mexico.