The "Neue Klasse" era has officially arrived at BMW’s home base. This week, the very first pre-series models of the all-new BMW i3 sedan rolled off the assembly line at the Munich plant. While it shares a name with the quirky carbon-fiber hatchback of the past, this new i3 is a completely different beast: a sleek, three-box saloon designed to be the electric heart of the BMW brand. This milestone marks the final countdown to full-scale production, which is slated for the second half of 2026. For the first time, BMW has integrated every step of the manufacturing process, from the modernized press shop to a state-of-the-art paint facility, into a single digitally connected loop. It isn’t just a new car; it’s a demonstration of how the world’s most famous driving machines will be built for the next decade. Performance Redefined by the "Heart of Joy" Beneath the camouflaged exterior lies a technological breakthrough that BMW engineers have dubbed the "Heart of Joy....
While much of the automotive industry has faced turbulence, the BMW Group Plant Regensburg just closed out its most successful year in its 40-year history. In 2025, the facility reached an all-time production high of 356,901 vehicles, officially crowning it the highest-volume BMW car plant in Europe. Since its inception in 1986, this Bavarian powerhouse has produced over 8.7 million vehicles, proving that German manufacturing is not just surviving, it is thriving. Plant Director Armin Ebner attributes this success to a relentless focus on competitiveness and a "three-shift, around-the-clock" operation. Today, a brand-new BMW rolls off the assembly line every 57 seconds. That adds up to more than 1,400 vehicles per workday, destined for markets ranging from local showrooms in Germany to customers in over 100 countries overseas. The Intelligence Behind the Efficiency The record-breaking numbers in Regensburg are not simply the result of more hands on deck; they are the product...