The next-generation BMW electric vehicle family, codenamed Neue Klasse, will include North America as one of its manufacturing locations, with the automaker investing 800 million euros (approximately $860 million) to accomplish this goal.
The funds will be used to expand BMW’s vehicle manufacturing plant in the Mexican state of San Luis Potos, where the automaker currently manufactures the 2-Series and 3-Series.
The factory will produce Neue Klasse EVs and batteries. Once the expanded plant is fully operational, it is expected to create around 1,000 jobs with the first electric vehicles are expected to be built there in 2027.
BMW stated that the Mexican plant has a high level of flexibility, which will allow for only minor changes in the body shop and assembly to accommodate the Neue Klasse’s platform, which directly integrates the battery into the vehicle structure.
According to BMW CEO Oliver Zipse, the first Neue Klasse EV will be a sedan in the 3-Series segment, followed by a sporty SUV. This implies that the vehicles will be 3-Series and X3 variants. BMW debuted the I Vision Dee concept at the 2023 CES in January to preview digital features that will be included in the Neue Klasse EVs. We’ll have to wait and see how many features make it to production.