Strong Demand for Electric BMW iX3 Pushes Hungary Plant to Triple-Shift Production
BMW has received about 100,000 orders in Europe for its electric iX3, prompting the company to switch its Debrecen, Hungary plant to round-the-clock, three-shift production. A second Neue Klasse model is set to begin production at the same plant this autumn.
BMW says demand for its electric iX3 model has significantly exceeded initial forecasts, leading the company to ramp up output at its new plant in Debrecen, Hungary. With around 100,000 iX3 orders received across Europe, the plant is now operating around the clock on three shifts.
From one shift to 24-hour production
The first iX3 rolled off the Debrecen production line in late 2025. Production was increased from one shift to two this past March, and the plant has now moved to three shifts running continuously. BMW describes this as the fastest ramp-up of production capacity it has ever carried out at one of its new factories.
The iX3 is the first model built on BMW's new Neue Klasse electric vehicle platform, and all iX3 units destined for the European market are currently manufactured in Hungary. The Debrecen plant already employs roughly 5,000 people, and the increased output will require additional hiring and staff training. BMW also plans to begin production of a second Neue Klasse model at the same plant this autumn, though it has not yet disclosed which model that will be.
Technical specifications
The base iX3 40 features rear-wheel drive, an 82.6 kWh battery and a 235 kW (320 hp, 500 Nm) electric motor, accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds with a top speed of 200 km/h. Its WLTP range reaches 635 km, and fast-charging from 10% to 80% takes about 21 minutes at a maximum charging rate of 300 kW.
The more powerful iX3 50 xDrive uses two electric motors delivering a combined 345 kW (469 hp, 645 Nm) output alongside a 108 kWh battery. This version accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds, reaches a top speed of 210 km/h, and offers a range of up to 805 km on a single charge. Its maximum charging power is 400 kW, and under favorable conditions a ten-minute charge can add up to 372 km of range.
