Preparation for BMW iX3 production goes according to plan

BMW is systematically pursuing its electrification strategy and will release the new BMW iX3 into the market by the end of 2020.

Standard production of the BMW core brand's first pure electric model will get underway at the BMW Brilliance Automotive joint venture (BBA) in China in late summer as planned. BBA Plant Dadong will produce the first Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) with a pure electric drivetrain for the global market.

BBA has been building BMW iX3 pre-production vehicles at Plant Dadong in Shenyang since the middle of last year. The 200^th pre-production model recently came off the assembly line and test drives began - allowing development and test engineers to make final adjustments.

With the new BMW iX3, the BMW adds another fully-electric vehicle to its portfolio that will not only tap into new customer groups, but also arrives on the market at a time when demand for electric vehicles is expanding significantly.

The electric car is based on the globally successful BMW X3, and combines the versatility and robust functionality of a premium mid-size SAV with ground-breaking drive technology for locally emission-free driving pleasure.

The BMW X3 is the brand's first model available with both conventional petrol and diesel engines, a plug-in hybrid system or a pure electric drivetrain. This 'Power of Choice' approach allows the company to respond to the different needs and wants of its customers worldwide and maximise its impact in reducing global CO₂ emissions.

The BMW iX3 comes with fifth generation BMW eDrive technology, including a drive unit with the electric engine, power electronics and transmission highly integrated into a central housing that significantly reduces space and mass relative to output and offers more flexibility for new electric powertrain components.

A further highlight is the electric motor, which no longer requires the use of rare earths and ensures the BMW Group is not dependent on their availability.

The fifth generation electric drive train also includes new and more powerful high-voltage batteries. Thanks to their scalable, modular design, these can be used flexibly in the respective vehicle architecture and at the respective production locations. With a range of around 440km in the preliminary data from Worldwide harmonised Light vehicle Test Procedure cycle, the BMW iX3 paves the way for BMW eDrive technology, which will also be used in BMW i4 and BMW iNEXT models from 2021 on.