BMW has taken a new step towards by initiating pre-series production of electric motors for its upcoming Neue Klasse electric vehicles (EVs) at its Steyr plant in Austria. 

According to BMW, its Steyr plant has officially started pre-series production of the new electric motors, kicking off a phase that is expected to lead to full series production in around one year. This timeline aligns with BMW’s plans to debut its first Neue Klasse model in 2025.

Klaus von Moltke, who manages the Steyr plant and oversees global engine production at BMW AG, stated, “Today we have reached an important milestone for the BMW Group’s next generation of e-vehicles. With today’s start of pre-series production of the electric engine, we are right on schedule.”

BMW Group is investing around one billion euros in electric drives at the Steyr site by 2030. The expansion includes:

As for in-house component manufacturing, a key aspect of this new production is BMW’s move to produce all core components of the electric motor in-house at Steyr including housing, rotor, stator, gearbox, and inverter. These components will then be assembled into complete drive systems at the same plant.

Initially, the Steyr plant will produce about 25 electric motors per week. This output is expected to increase steadily over the coming months, with full series production slated to begin in fall 2025.

The electric motors manufactured at Steyr will power BMW’s Neue Klasse electric vehicles, which will be assembled at several sites. Production is set to start in Debrecen, Hungary, in 2025 with the launch of the next-generation iX3. Following this, Munich, Germany, will begin production in 2026 with the introduction of the i3 sedan.

Moreover, the new electric motors will be paired with BMW’s Gen6 batteries featuring round cells. These next-generation EVs are promised to deliver 30% more range than current models, 20% higher energy density, 30% faster charging times, and support for bidirectional charging. 

In addition to the Steyr plant, BMW is establishing a global network for battery cell production, with plants planned in:

As the focus is currently on the Neue Klasse platform, BMW’s plans to produce at least six electric models at its Spartanburg plant in South Carolina by 2030 will expand its presence in the global market.

Read More: BMW Establishes Five New High-Voltage Battery Plants On Three Continents

As BMW continues to expand its EV lineup with the Neue Klasse set to lead its EV strategy, the start of electric motor production at the Steyr plant represents a crucial step in the company’s goal to electrification, electric mobility, and elevating its position in the EV market.

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