BMW Built 7 Million Cars In China 8 Years Faster Than It Did In America

BMW’s massive production base in Shenyang, China, has reached a significant milestone with the official roll-out of its 7 millionth vehicle.

The anniversary vehicle was a BMW 3 Series Horse Edition, a China-exclusive model. The production milestone is significant and speaks volumes about the speed at which the Chinese auto industry operates.

BMW's China Plant Needed 23 Years To Reach This Milestone

The mega complex, which is operated by the BMW Brilliance Automotive (BBA) joint venture and includes three vehicle assembly plants and one powertrain facility, built the first BMW vehicle in 2003.

That means the plant has built on average over 304,000 vehicles every year since its opening 23 years ago. For comparison, BMW’s U.S. plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, needed 31 years to build its 7 millionth vehicle (from 1994 to 2025).

“For more than 30 years, we have been deeply rooted in China. The seven-millionth BMW vehicle from our plant in Shenyang is a significant milestone in this success story: it demonstrates the strength of our local production – and it reflects the high level of expertise, the great dedication, and the exceptional commitment of our Chinese team,” said Raymond Wittmann, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Production.

And BMW’s success story in China looks set to continue with another milestone later this year, when local production of the Neue Klasse family of EVs—the i3 sedan and iX3 SUV—is scheduled to start in Shenyang.

The LWB i3 And iX3 EVs Will Enter Production In Shenyang This Year

BMW Group said this will mark a new phase in local innovation, deeper localization, and intelligent manufacturing.

Speaking of localization, the BMW iX3 and i3 for China are designed specifically to cater to Chinese consumers, which is why the automaker developed Long Wheelbase (LWB) versions of both models exclusively for the world’s largest car market.

The iX3 SUV’s wheelbase is stretched by about 4.25 inches, creating more rear legroom and improved access through the larger rear doors. The same goes for the BMW i3 LWB, which has a 4.3-inch longer wheelbase than the BMW i3 for global markets.

In addition to the roomier rear passenger compartment, the iX3 LWB and i3 LWB also get exclusive rear-seat luxury features such as ventilated and massaging rear seats, as well as a wireless charging pad in the center armrest. What's more, the infotainment system integrates Chinese-specific platforms.

One Of BMW's Top Production And Innovation Hubs Worldwide

The automaker has established a comprehensive system in China covering complete vehicle and powertrain manufacturing, localized R&D, and a localized supply chain, making Shenyang one of BMW’s most important production and innovation hubs worldwide.

The Shenyang Production Base widely integrates digitalization and AI technologies across all production processes according to BMW’s global intelligent manufacturing principles.

This is said to result in more efficient, stable, and high-quality manufacturing operations.
This focus on digitalization and AI is also aligned with China’s efforts to advance new industrialization and foster new quality productive forces, BMW said.

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