BMW Group is gearing up to start manufacturing its next-generation electric vehicles (EVs) in North America, about two years after launching production in Europe. The company has initiated preparations for battery assembly, a crucial component of these new ‘Neue Klasse’ EVs, well ahead of their start of production (SOP).
With production sites in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, and Woodruff, USA, BMW Group plans to start producing Neue Klasse EVs in Mexico in 2027. Construction has begun on a high-voltage battery assembly plant spanning over 80,000 square meters, which will be responsible for manufacturing BMW Group’s future sixth-generation batteries.
The next-gen batteries will feature round lithium-ion cells with specific dimensions and composition changes, resulting in more than a 20% increase in energy density and a considerably lower weight. Unlike current BMW EV batteries, the next-gen batteries will be integrated into the body structure, eliminating the need for cell module levels and saving installation space.
Operating at 800 volts, the new batteries will enable significantly faster charging rates, reducing the time required for a 10-80% charge from around 30 minutes to approximately 20 minutes. Additionally, there will be a 30% improvement in range, although BMW Group is not aiming for a four-digit range, considering it unnecessary.
San Luis Potosí will be one of six global production sites for BMW Group’s sixth-gen high-voltage batteries, with manufacturing also taking place in Debrecen, Hungary; Woodruff, USA; Shenyang, China; and Irlbach-Straßkirchen, Germany.
The upcoming Neue Klasse BMW EVs will feature a range of new technologies, including ultra-fast charging, Vehicle to Load (V2L), Vehicle to Home (V2H), and Vehicle to Grid (V2G) bidirectional charging functions. They will also introduce a new full-width head-up display called ‘BMW Panoramic Vision,’ a new multifunction steering wheel, and new BMW Drive.
BMW Group plans to begin manufacturing Neue Klasse EVs in San Luis Potosí with the upcoming mid-size SUV, which will replace the BMW iX3. The production will start in Debrecen, Hungary, in late 2025, followed by the Mexican factory in 2027.
The model, previewed by the BMW Vision Neue Klasse X concept, is set to compete with the Audi Q6 e-tron, Tesla Model Y, and the upcoming Mercedes EQC successor. Prices in Germany are expected to start in the range of €65,000-€70,000.
In 2022, Thomas Albrecht, Head of Efficient Dynamics at BMW, commented, “BMW Group isn’t aiming for a four-digit number, though, deeming it unnecessary,” regarding the range of the new EVs.