During the recent IAA Mobility event in Munich, BMW invited a select group to Hungary for a tour of its new Debrecen plant. Spanning more than 400 hectares on the edge of Hungary’s second-largest city, the factory has been designed from the ground up with a single purpose: to build the all-electric Neue Klasse generation.

The first model to roll out of Debrecen will be the new BMW iX3, which we’ve already covered extensively on Nevo and you can set your eyes on it for the first time in Ireland at the upcoming Nevo Electric Show this November. Series production is due to begin in late 2025, with pre-series vehicles already moving through the lines since November 2024, a key milestone for BMW’s next-generation EVs.

The iFACTORY Philosophy

Debrecen showcases BMW’s overarching production concept: iFACTORY - Lean. Green. Digital.

• Lean: short, logical material flows that cut down on transport time.
• Digital: data, automation and simulation underpinning stable, high-quality production.
• Green: fossil-free operation that redefines how a car plant can run.

Sustainability at the Core

The standout sustainability achievement? Debrecen is designed to operate without fossil fuels during normal production. Nowhere is this clearer than in the paint shop, traditionally one of the most energy-intensive parts of any factory. Instead of gas burners, the plant uses power-to-heat systems, an internal heat grid, and regenerative thermal oxidation (eRTO) to recycle energy. At any given time, up to 30 vehicles can be curing using only renewable electricity.

Battery Production on Site

Electrification here extends beyond cars. High-voltage battery assembly takes place on the same campus, reducing transport emissions and ensuring efficiency. The packs use BMW’s sixth-generation round cells, which offer higher energy density at lower costs. With investment topping €2 billion by the end of 2025, this integrated approach highlights BMW’s intent to localise critical EV components.

Designed to Scale

BMW has planned Debrecen with flexibility in mind. Initial expectations suggest an annual capacity of around 150,000 vehicles, with the ability to expand as the Neue Klasse line-up grows. Modular plant buildings and adaptable internal logistics mean the site can evolve as demand changes.

Workshops and Innovation in Action

On the ground, the plant demonstrates BMW’s vision for the Neue Klasse:

• Highly automated body-in-white joining methods.
• A gas-free paint process.
• Precision alignment for battery installation in final assembly.
• Autonomous tugger trains delivering materials with real-time monitoring.

Every element is about reducing distance, handovers, and errors.

Beyond Energy: Materials and Supply Chains

BMW is also focusing on lifecycle sustainability. With higher recycled content in battery materials such as cobalt, lithium and nickel, the Neue Klasse promises meaningful CO₂ reductions compared with earlier models. And by placing Debrecen close to CATL’s new cell factory and other suppliers, BMW ensures supply chains are shorter, cleaner, and more resilient.

Launching with the iX3

Debrecen will debut with the BMW iX3 50 xDrive in autumn 2025, featuring next-gen eDrive technology and an 800-volt system. To support this, the factory includes high-voltage test benches capable of rapid diagnostics and safe energy handling, infrastructure designed specifically for EVs rather than retrofitted later.

Regional Impact

For Hungary and the city of Debrecen, the plant represents a long-term anchor. Jobs, suppliers, and logistics providers all feed into what is becoming a regional EV hub. With investment already exceeding €2 billion, the economic and environmental benefits will extend well beyond BMW’s gates.

The Bigger Picture

What makes Debrecen state-of-the-art isn’t one flashy robot or tool, but the system as a whole:

• EV-only production.
• Fossil-free operation.
• On-site battery assembly.
• A digital backbone for smoother ramp-ups.
• Layouts designed for electric vehicle architecture.

Debrecen sets the blueprint for how BMW, and perhaps the wider industry, will build EVs in Europe for years to come.

Looking Ahead: See It for Yourself

The Debrecen plant is more than just a factory, it’s the template for BMW’s EV future. And at the heart of that future is the all-new BMW iX3 Neue Klasse, the very first model to roll off this state-of-the-art line.

For Irish audiences, the wait won’t be long. The BMW iX3 Neue Klasse will be unveiled in Ireland for the very first time at the Nevo Electric Vehicle Show in partnership with Bank of Ireland, this November at the RDS Dublin. This exclusive launch is your chance to get up close with the next generation of BMW electric driving.

Click here to get your free tickets and be among the first to see the future of BMW’s Neue Klasse in person.