The BMW iX3 has received over 100,000 orders, forcing its factory to operate 24 hours a day.
20/09/2026 12:45
Updated to
20/09/2026 12:45
BMW has significantly accelerated production of one of its most important electric vehicles. The factory in Debrecen, Hungary, is now operating around the clock after introducing a third shift to meet demand for the new BMW iX3.
The German brand claims it has received over 100,000 orders in Europe within the first year since the model’s global debut. This figure has prompted BMW to increase production rates just a few months after starting mass manufacturing.
BMW took only eight months to switch to three shifts
The mass production of the BMW iX3 began in early 2026, and it took the factory about eight months to reach three-shift operation. Shortly before this new schedule was implemented, the 50,000th unit had already left the assembly line.
The Debrecen plant employs over 5,000 workers, and BMW has invested more than 2 billion euros in its establishment. Additionally, it is a factory dedicated exclusively to the production of electric vehicles.
The manufacturer has not yet disclosed the specific annual capacity of the facility once it operates 24/7. The immediate goal is to increase the number of iX3 units available in order to reduce delivery times.
Up to 805 kilometers of range and 400 kW charging
The BMW iX3 also holds special significance for the company. It is the first production model based on the new Neue Klasse platform and the first to use BMW’s sixth generation of electric drive systems on a large scale.
The iX3 50 xDrive version uses a battery with a useful capacity of 108.7 kWh, achieving an WLTP range of up to 805 kilometers. Its 800-volt electric system also allows for a maximum charging power of 400 kW in direct current. The brand claims that under ideal conditions, the car can recover enough energy in just ten minutes to cover up to 372 kilometers according to WLTP standards. This version delivers 345 kW of power, equivalent to 469 horsepower, and features all-wheel drive.
Starting in the summer of 2026, the range will also include the BMW iX3 40 with rear-wheel drive. This version is equipped with an 82.6 kWh usable battery, delivers 235 kW (320 hp), and can achieve up to 637 kilometers of WLTP range. Incidentally, the Neue Klasse will not be limited to just the iX3. The Gen6 technology, featuring new cylindrical cells, structurally integrated high-voltage batteries, and an 800-volt architecture, will be gradually applied to other BMW electric vehicles.
Debrecen will produce another new BMW electric vehicle this year
The Hungarian factory will also be one of the key centers for this expansion. BMW plans to begin manufacturing a second completely new model based on the Neue Klasse there during the fall.
The company has not yet detailed how this second factory will affect the capacity allocated to the iX3. For now, the increase to three shifts makes it clear that BMW needs to produce more units of its new electric SUV to meet the accumulated orders.