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At the end of October, production of the electric crossover BMW iX3 will start at the plant in Debrecen (Hungary). This facility will become the most modern and innovative in the company’s global network and the first where production is completely organized without the use of fossil fuels.
The plant was designed in accordance with the BMW iFACTORY concept, which implies the digitalization of all processes, high energy efficiency, and minimization of the carbon footprint. Digital twins and virtual operation validation were used even at the construction stage, which allowed for optimal equipment placement and accelerated launch.
Key technologies:
- Gen6 battery production — Debrecen will be the first of five plants that will produce next-generation batteries.
- Energy-efficient painting — using only "green" electricity instead of gas for the painting shop reduces CO₂ emissions during production by two-thirds (down to 80 kg CO₂e per vehicle). Part of the energy will be provided by a dedicated solar power plant covering 50 hectares and a thermal storage system with a capacity of 130 MWh.
- Full digitalization — The AIQX IT platform automates quality control, and all workshops and logistics are connected into a single digital network. Delivery robots and autonomous trains transport batteries and parts.
- Flexibility — The plant is initially designed for the production of different models, and its unique architecture allows 80% of components to be supplied directly to the assembly line.
The new BMW iX3 will be the first model on the Neue Klasse platform, followed by a whole range — by 2027, technologies will be implemented in more than 40 new and updated models.
Source: BMW
