BMW has taken a key step toward full-scale production at its new plant in Debrecen, Hungary, by commissioning the facility’s final assembly line.
The move marks a crucial milestone as the German automaker prepares for the series production of its upcoming electric vehicle, the iX3, part of its ‘Neue Klasse’ lineup.
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Since November 2024, the Debrecen plant has been manufacturing test units of the iX3. However, final assembly had not yet been conducted on the designated production line. With the latest development, BMW aims to refine its processes over the next six months before transitioning from pre-series to mass production.
The automaker highlights that the ‘Neue Klasse’ introduces significant advancements in assembly efficiency, including a modularized architecture, fewer connectors, and an optimized wiring harness system.
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The traditional large wiring harness has been split into separate sections, reducing cable length by 600 meters and cutting weight by 30% compared to previous generations. BMW says this “zonal wiring harness architecture” enhances ergonomics and simplifies installation.
Further improvements come from the reduced number of connectors, screws, and clips, streamlining the assembly process. BMW has also redesigned cockpit installation, allowing pre-assembly directly on the main line, a method inspired by its Lydia plant in China.
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The Debrecen plant was planned entirely using digital tools, a strategy BMW intends to expand to other sites, including its Munich facility, where the ‘Neue Klasse’ i3 sedan is set to enter production in 2026.
“Our highly efficient and ergonomic assembly line immediately started running without any issues,” said Hans-Peter Kemser, Head of BMW Group Plant Debrecen. “We achieved this thanks to virtual planning and tests, as well as the outstanding collaboration between our new, highly motivated employees in Debrecen and our experts within the BMW Group’s global production network.”