BMW’s EV product plan for China released

Shanghai (Gasgoo)- BMW is determined to strengthen its EV offensive in China in the wake of the fast-growing electrification in the world's largest auto market.

(BMW iX3 Concept, photo source: BMW)

The German automaker unveiled the concept of its first BEV model, the iX3, at the 2018 Auto China. Regarded as the all-electric version of the BMW X3, the vehicle will be locally produced at BMW Brilliance's Dadong plant first in 2020 and then the extended Tiexi base will take over it from 2022. 

The German auto giant prepares more in addition to the iX3. The BEV version of the BMW 3 Series Long-wheelbase and the new 5 Series Long-wheelbase, as well as an upper medium pure electric SUV will join BMW's Chinese EV matrix, according to an environmental impact assessment report from local authority.

Planned production capacity of these four BEV models totals over 150,000 units on an annual basis, the report said. Of that, the capacity of the 5 Series Long-wheelbase BEV and the upper medium SUV aggregates 54,170 units per year, while 100,000-unit annual capacity is prepared for the 3 Series BEV and the iX3.

The new 3 Series Long-wheelbase BEV and its next-generation model code-named G28BEV NM are expected to be mass produced from 2022, according to a product plan BMW Brilliance designs for its new Tiexi plant which is still under construction.

Moreover, the 5 Series BEV will see its longer-wheelbase version introduced in China in 2022 and manufactured by the joint venture's new Dadong plant. Based on the existing 5 Series sedan, the new BEV will carry three electric motors with a combined power up to 530kW and can complete acceleration from 0 to 100km/h within 3 seconds.