BMW Neue Klasse X

Debrecen plant preparing for production

The first pre-production test model of the new-generation fully electric SUV, the Neue Klasse X, has rolled off the production line at the BMW Group’s Debrecen Plant in Hungary. With full-scale production set to begin in the second half of 2025, various preparations for the Neue Klasse X, including road tests, are progressing at a rapid pace.

Milan Nedeljkovic, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Production, explained, “The production of the first pre-production vehicle at the Debrecen plant will be an important milestone towards the full-scale operation of the new plant.” Testing of the Neue Klasse X is currently progressing smoothly in preparation for production, and the plant’s logistics and production processes are being tested and optimized under real-world conditions.

The recent rolloff of the pre-production model at the Debrecen plant marks an important step towards the full-scale production of the new model. As part of the validation process leading up to the start of production, the test vehicle passed through all production steps as planned and was manufactured. This includes verifying that logistics processes, parts supply, manufacturing facilities, and operations involving employees are functioning smoothly and that there are no defects in the complex processes.

First manufacturing facility to operate without fossil fuels

The Debrecen plant, where the Neue Klasse X will be manufactured from 2025, is being planned and developed as BMW’s newest manufacturing facility, the iFACTORY. This latest plant will be the first BMW Group manufacturing facility to run entirely on energy other than fossil fuels.

Today, materials and vehicle parts are delivered to the Debrecen plant every day, and test vehicles roll off the production line one after another. Every part and every production step is meticulously scrutinized, with special attention paid to state-of-the-art production systems, including digital connectivity, and tool validation.

BMW aims to make the site an even more efficient manufacturing base by conducting system tests on vehicles. Over the next few months, the focus will be on improving manufacturing processes based on the insights gained from the test vehicle production. This phase will also include intensive training for employees on the new facilities and manufacturing equipment.

The transition to electric vehicles is currently progressing rapidly, but in Europe, the slowdown is clear due to the end of subsidies, and it is fair to say that the production system required by the second half of 2025 is still unclear.

Check out the “BMW Vision Neue Klasse X” in the video!