BMW Just Opened the World’s First AI Car Factory, and It’s Building an 800-Km EV

BMW is preparing to start production of its new iX3 Neue Klasse electric SUV at a groundbreaking facility in Debrecen, Hungary, the world’s first AI-controlled car factory.

The site will build vehicles with an expected range of 800 kilometers, signaling both a technological leap in EV performance and a new chapter in how cars are manufactured.

AI-powered factory ushers in digital production era

The Debrecen plant was designed and tested as a complete digital twin before construction began. Engineers used AI and simulations to validate every operation, enabling precise installation of equipment and production lines, according to CarUp.

Once fully operational, more than 1,000 robots and human workers will be guided by AI systems to ensure accuracy and efficiency. BMW executives say the factory reflects their iFactory vision: digital-first, fossil-free, and highly scalable.

“The start of series production of the BMW iX3 signals a new era in automotive manufacturing. Our new factory in Debrecen has been designed and built entirely in line with our strategic vision for the iFactory. Digital from the start, the factory will offer a new dimension in efficient production without fossil fuels,” said Milan Nedeljković, Head of Production at BMW AG.

Sustainability at the heart of BMW’s new facility

Beyond automation, the factory is built to set new sustainability benchmarks. BMW reports the site will emit 90% less CO2 than its traditional plants, largely by electrifying the paint shop and cutting 12,000 tons of emissions annually.

Around 25% of the AI plant’s power will come from an on-site solar farm covering 50 hectares. Company leaders highlight this model as a blueprint for future carbon-neutral car manufacturing, demonstrating that advanced technology and environmental responsibility can be scaled together.

BMW executives are also excited for the milestones that the new AI plant could achieve. “We have taken on the challenge of building a completely new vehicle as the first job in a completely new factory, and done it in the most efficient and smooth way,” says Hans-Peter Kemser, head of the new BMW factory.

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