BMW’s New iX3 Factory Is Now Running Non-Stop As Orders Top 100,000InsideEVs[email protected] (Iulian Dnistran)Fri, September 18, 2026 at 11:03 AM UTCAdd us on GoogleBMW iX3 production in Debrecen, HungaryIt's the fastest production ramp-up of any BMW plant to date.BMW has added a third shift at the iX3 factory in Debrecen, Hungary.With over 100,000 orders secured in Europe, the plant is now running 24/7 to keep up with demand.Half of all orders have already been built, leaving another 50,000 cars in the queue.BMW's bet with the ground-up Neue Klasse platform seems to be paying off. After seeing demand for the new iX3 electric crossover go off the charts much faster than anticipated, the German automaker has added a third and final shift at the new factory in Debrecen, Hungary, that handles the EV's production.In other words, the new plant is now running around the clock to cater to the 100,000 orders that have been placed in Europe alone since the SUV's debut last year. According to the Bavarian automaker, 50,000 iX3s have already rolled off the assembly line at its $2.3 billion (€2 billion) facility, which means another 50,000 still need to be built.BMW iX3 Production In Debrecen, HungaryThere's no doubt that people can't get enough of BMW's new electric SUV, and this latest expansion proves it, with the company saying that the Debrecen facility has seen the fastest production ramp-up of any BMW Group plant ever. In just eight months, iX3 production went from a single shift to running on a 24-hour schedule.AdvertisementAdvertisementOver 5,000 employees have rolled up their sleeves and worked together to support the quick ramp-up, but that's just the beginning. Starting this fall, the Hungarian factory will add a second electric model to its lines, boosting numbers even more. BMW didn't say it out loud, but the first-ever iX4, which is a coupe-like version of the iX3, is the most likely candidate.For now, the Neue Klasse SUVs will only be built in Debrecen, but it won't stay this way for long, as the automaker's San Luis Potosi site in Mexico is expected to start assembling U.S.-spec iX3s next year.All of this means that BMW did its homework. Not only is the iX3 a brand-new vehicle, but it's based on an all-new platform that uses the latest-generation battery cell technology, packaging techniques, and different assembly processes. It's been a long ride, but the German company is seeing great results with a single model. As the iX4 and i3 join the lineup in the coming months, the numbers should get even better.It's not hard to see why people have flocked to dealerships, trying to get behind the wheel of an iX3. With up to 434 miles of EPA-estimated range, plenty of power, and a 21-minute 10-to-80% charge time, the electric mid-size crossover checks off all the requirements for a full-on gas SUV replacement. But it's not alone, with the Volvo EX60 and Mercedes-Benz GLC Electric offering similar specs.More Stories Like ThisVolvo Is Planning 13 New Cars This Decade In Its Biggest Product Push YetAudi Developed The A2 E-Tron 21 Months Faster Than Usual. The Secret Wasn't More EngineersFord Converts Louisville Plant For The $28,000 Fathom Electric Truck In Under A YearBMW's Oldest Plant Has Always Made Gas Cars. Starting Next Year, It'll Only Make EVs