BMW Ramps Up iX3 Production to Keep Up with High Demand

BMW’s iX3 Electric SUV: A Success Story

Since its debut at the IAA Mobility Show in Munich last September, BMW’s second-generation iX3 has been a hit. Orders have been pouring in, with the electric SUV even outselling the gas-fueled X3 in Germany within a month of its launch.

CEO Oliver Zipse has described the model, internally known as “NA5,” as having an “exceptionally positive start.” Demand has been so high that production is already booked well into 2026. By December, the iX3 was nearly sold out in Europe, according to BMW Italy President and CEO Massimiliano Di Silvestre.

Recent reports from Der Spiegel indicate that the iX3 continues to attract strong order volumes from both private and fleet buyers. To meet this demand, BMW plans to increase production at its Debrecen plant in Hungary.

A third shift is being added sooner than planned to ramp up production, with the factory capable of building up to 150,000 vehicles annually once operating at full capacity. Interestingly, one in three customers ordering the iX3 are new to the BMW brand.

Despite the high demand, test drives for the iX3 will only be available from early March in Europe, with the Neue Klasse EV. American customers will have to wait until summer, while a long-wheelbase version will be available in China later this year. The stretched iX3 “NA6” will also be sold in India, Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia.

For the next two years, the Debrecen factory will be the only one assembling the standard-wheelbase iX3 within the BMW Group’s production network. Production of the “NA5” is expected to begin at the San Luis Potosí plant in Mexico in August 2027.

Despite currently offering only one version, the iX3 50 xDrive, BMW plans to introduce a rear-wheel-drive, single-motor variant by the end of the year. This move is expected to further boost demand, with the iX3 40 offering a lower starting price. Performance enthusiasts can also look forward to the iX3 M60 ahead of the eventual X3 M in the coming years.

While the iX4 hasn’t been officially announced, spy shots suggest its debut may happen this year. Building the electric coupe-SUV in Debrecen seems likely, making the decision to add a third shift a strategic move.

Source: Der Spiegel (subscription required)