New BMW i3 Near-Series Builds Begin At Munich Plant Line

BMW Group Plant Munich has reached a key checkpoint on the road to its next electric model, with the first near-series test vehicles for the new BMW i3 now running down the assembly line. These pre-series cars kick off the final preparation phase ahead of series production planned for the second half of 2026, putting the factory’s upgraded equipment and workflows under proper, real-world pressure.

For Plant Munich, the significance is clear: this is the first time the site has built a BMW i3 entirely in-house, using updated manufacturing tech and digitally linked processes. The cars now move through every major stage on site—from the modernised press shop and new body shop through to the paint facility and the new assembly area—while revamped logistics routes feed the line exactly as they will once production ramps up.

This shift is part of what makes the milestone meaningful. Earlier builds were assembled with support from a nearby pilot facility at the Research and Innovation Centre, effectively sharing the workload. With the new production and logistics spaces completed, Munich can now run the full sequence itself, which means every part flow, tool interface and station handover has to operate smoothly even at low volume.

Pre-series production is where the fine details get exposed. Although the numbers are small, the process is treated like full-rate manufacturing: components arrive through the intended material loops, each build step is checked closely, and special attention is given to approval inspections for new equipment and how well it integrates with existing digital systems. The aim is to catch friction points early—before the line has to cope with higher throughput.

People are being prepared with the same level of focus. Training began virtually using augmented reality, then moved onto the real machinery and installations as the plant’s new areas came online. Over the coming months, BMW will feed lessons from these builds back into the process, tightening quality, streamlining operations and setting the plant up for a clean, confident series launch.