BMW has launched mass production of its sixth-generation battery technology at the Shenyang facility. The project involved an investment of ¥10 billion, equivalent to $1.5 billion, and spans 240,000 square meters, increasing the company's local battery production footprint fivefold.
The new battery platform will support the upcoming Neue Klasse models, starting with the iX3 and i3. A test version of the i3 50L sedan, built on this platform, achieved a range of 1,213 km on a single charge. The vehicle recorded an energy consumption rate of 8.8 kWh per 100 km during the endurance trial.
The test vehicle features a 113.4 kWh cylindrical battery and an 800V architecture, supporting fast charging up to 400 kW, which adds 400 km of range in 10 minutes. The i3 lineup will offer both rear-wheel-drive and dual-motor all-wheel-drive configurations, with the latter delivering 345 kW of power.
BMW plans to increase the share of locally produced models in China to over 95% by 2030. Pre-orders for the iX3 opened in August 2026, with deliveries starting in November. The i3 is scheduled for production and market launch by BMW Brilliance in the fourth quarter of 2026.
