Electric BMW X5, X6, and X7 SUVs to Be Produced at the Automaker’s U.S. Plant

BMW has confirmed that its Spartanburg plant in South Carolina, already the largest U.S. automotive exporter by value, will begin assembling the all-electric versions of its upcoming X5 and X7 SUVs. An electric X6 coupe is also expected to follow, further solidifying the plant’s role in BMW’s electrification strategy. This move, coupled with local battery production, aims to shield BMW from potential global trade disruptions, including tariffs.

Electrifying the X-Series Lineup in Spartanburg

BMW’s Spartanburg factory currently produces eight combustion-powered SUVs, and by 2030, the German automaker plans to add at least six electric SUVs to its production lines.

The first American-made BMW EVs will be the iX5, slated for production next year, followed by the larger iX7, scheduled for 2027. The iX7 will be BMW’s first full-size all-electric model, positioned to compete with vehicles like the Cadillac Escalade IQ. The mid-size iX5 is expected to serve as a successor to the current iX and compete with the Tesla Model X and Cadillac Vistiq. An iX6 is rumored to join the lineup by 2028.

While the iX5 and iX7 will continue to utilize the flexible CLAR architecture, which accommodates both electric and combustion powertrains, they will integrate significant advancements from BMW’s new EV-only Neue Klasse architecture. This includes more efficient motors, advanced controllers, and next-generation cylindrical batteries, promising improved charging times (up to 30% shorter) and extended ranges (up to 560 miles for future Neue Klasse vehicles).

Significant Investment in US Production

To support this shift to electric vehicle production, BMW is making substantial investments in its US operations. A $700 million investment is allocated for building a new high-voltage battery assembly facility in Woodruff, South Carolina, near the Spartanburg plant. This facility, expected to be completed in 2026, will produce sixth-generation batteries from cells supplied by partner AESC, which is also building a new battery cell factory in Florence, South Carolina. Additionally, $1,7 billion is being invested to upgrade the vehicle assembly lines at the Spartanburg plant.

This strategic investment in local production and battery sourcing is intended to provide BMW with stability amidst the fluctuating landscape of import tariffs and trade policies.

Broader EV Strategy

Beyond the X-series, BMW’s broader EV push includes the unveiling of the smaller iX3, the first of the new wave of Neue Klasse-based EVs, in September. Production for the iX3 will begin in Hungary by the end of this year, and while its US sourcing is still unconfirmed, rumors suggest it could come from Mexico starting in 2027. The i3 sedan, also based on Neue Klasse, is expected to follow next year.