BMW announces ‘major increase in capacity’ to support the new iX3 all-electric SUV that will arrive in 2020
August 05 2019, BMW Aurora
BMW announced today a new expansion that should result in a 'major increase in capacity' at its battery factory in China. This will be happening to support the production of the new BMW iX3 electric SUV that they unveiled earlier this year, that is expected to make its debut in 2020.
BMW previously launched its brand new battery factory in China under the 'BMW Brilliance Automotive' (BBA) Joint Venture. Today is next phase of the plan.
Oliver Zipse, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Production, made the announcement:
"Today, we break ground for the next stage of our electric model offensive. In this regard, we further increase the capacity of our local battery production. This enables us to follow the increasing demand for electro mobility in China."
BMW said that the new expansion "will produce the new, more powerful batteries of the fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology for the fully-electric BMW iX3."
The iX3 will offer its fifth generation electric drive system, with the electric motor (good for 200kW or 270 hp), power electronics, and transmission made into one drive component. Rumour is that the iX3 will have a potential range of around 250 miles from a 70-kWh battery, which puts it right in the middle of the EV pack.
