BMW has introduced a third shift at its Debrecen factory in Eastern Hungary, moving production of the fully electric iX3 to a 24-hour schedule as European orders for the model reach 100,000.
The third shift started in September, only weeks after the Hungarian plant produced its 50,000th BMW iX3. The production ramp-up is the fastest achieved at a new factory in the group’s history. More than 5,000 employees are now involved in operations at the site.
The 50,000th vehicle produced at Debrecen was a Fire Red Metallic BMW iX3 50 xDrive. BMW currently builds the iX3 in two powertrain variants at the Hungarian plant, alongside a wide range of paint specifications, including individual-order and Frozen matte colours.
iX3 is the first series-production model based on BMW’s Neue Klasse architecture. Its European market launch began in March 2026, while orders reached the 100,000 mark within a year of the model’s world premiere in September 2025.
Third shift follows early introduction of second shift
BMW had already accelerated the production schedule earlier this year. The second shift was introduced in February 2026, earlier than originally planned, in response to customer demand.
Hans-Peter Kemser, President and CEO of BMW Group Plant Debrecen, said the factory reached three-shift operation roughly eight months after the production ramp-up began, supported by rapid recruitment and training.
A second Neue Klasse model arrives this autumn
The iX3 will not remain Debrecen’s only model. BMW confirmed that production of a second, completely new Neue Klasse vehicle will begin at the factory during autumn 2026, increasing the strategic importance of the Hungarian site within the group’s global manufacturing network.
BMW Debrecen plant was designed with an annual capacity of approximately 150,000 vehicles. It covers more than 400 hectares and includes a press shop, body shop, paint shop, final assembly and high-voltage battery assembly. BMW has invested more than €2 billion, equivalent to around HUF 820 billion, in the site.
Debrecen is BMW’s first Gen6 battery production site
High-voltage batteries for the vehicles are assembled directly at the factory under BMW’s “local for local” strategy. Debrecen became the first of five BMW locations worldwide designed to begin series production of the group’s sixth-generation high-voltage batteries. The other sites include locations in Germany, China, Mexico and the United States.
The Gen6 battery technology introduced with Neue Klasse uses new cylindrical cells, as the technology could improve vehicle range by up to 30% and charging speed by as much as 30% compared with the previous generation.
