BMW said its next-generation iX3 electric SUV, scheduled for delivery from summer 2026, will be the first model to feature a new driving assistance system jointly developed with Chinese autonomous driving technology firm Momenta.
The companies announced the plan in separate statements, saying their R&D teams are working together across testing bases in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenyang and Nanjing. BMW said the project is progressing through “large-scale real-world vehicle testing” that follows its global validation standards. According to both companies, the program covers dense urban traffic, complex scenarios and extreme conditions.
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Momenta added that the teams have combined on-road development with more than 100 million kilometres of simulation testing to verify the system’s stability and reliability. “We are conducting extensive real-world validation adhering to BMW’s standards,” Momenta said in the statement.
BMW said the system is built on a new, intelligent architecture using end-to-end large language model technology designed to interpret China’s highly complex traffic environment. The upcoming iX3 will be produced at BMW Brilliance’s Shenyang plant beginning in 2026, according to Momenta.
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The German carmaker announced in July that it would collaborate with Momenta to develop a smart driving platform for China, with plans to deploy the system across several BMW models, including next-generation locally produced vehicles. The cooperation makes BMW the latest global automaker to partner with Momenta, following Mercedes-Benz, Toyota and Nissan.
BMW reiterated in September that the China-exclusive version of the new iX3 will debut this year, with deliveries starting in 2026. At the time, the company said the model would be adapted specifically for Chinese consumers, offering upgraded intelligence, driving dynamics and comfort. The vehicle will incorporate BMW’s proprietary large language model co-developed with Alibaba, alongside driving assistance technologies developed with domestic partners.
