The BMW Group is set to revolutionize its electric vehicle production with the launch of the Neue Klasse, backed by an ambitious expansion of its high-voltage battery manufacturing network. Milan Nedeljković, Board Member for Production at BMW AG, announced plans to establish five new battery production facilities across three continents, adhering to a “local for local” strategy.
These state-of-the-art plants will produce the company’s sixth-generation cylindrical cells, offering improved energy density, charging times, and range. The facilities are strategically located near vehicle production sites in Irlbach-Strasskirchen (Germany), Debrecen (Hungary), Woodruff (USA), Shenyang (China), and San Luis Potosà (Mexico).
The first Neue Klasse vehicles will roll out from the new Debrecen plant in 2025, with battery and vehicle production launching simultaneously. China will follow in 2026, with BMW Brilliance Automotive in Shenyang already preparing for production. The San Luis Potosà plant in Mexico is slated to begin Neue Klasse production in 2027, making BMW the first premium automaker to manufacture fully electric cars and high-voltage batteries in the country.
In the United States, the Woodruff plant in South Carolina will supply batteries for electric vehicles produced at the nearby Spartanburg facility. Construction is underway, with completion expected in 2026. The German facility in Irlbach-Straßkirchen, Lower Bavaria, received building approval in April 2024 and will supply batteries to German car plants.
The BMW Group is also bolstering its research and development capabilities. The Cell Manufacturing Competence Centre (CMCC) in Parsdorf, near Munich, is already producing prototype battery cells for the Neue Klasse. This facility works in tandem with the Battery Cell Competence Centre (BCCC) in Munich, focusing on development work.
This global expansion not only aims to increase production resilience but also to reduce the carbon footprint of car production through shorter transportation distances. As the automotive industry shifts towards electrification, BMW’s strategic investments in battery technology and production underscore its commitment to leading the charge in the new era of electric mobility.
