BMW begins trial production of Neue Klasse vehicles in China

An aerial drone photo shows the Plant Lydia of BMW Brilliance in Shenyang City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, Aug. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

SHENYANG, Dec. 23 (Xinhua) -- BMW has launched the trial production of its Neue Klasse -- or "New Class" -- electric vehicles at its Shenyang plant in northeast China's Liaoning Province, integrating cutting-edge Chinese technology into its innovation system.

The long-wheelbase BMW iX3 represents the automaker's core strategy for electrification and digitalization. With trial production underway, the company is fully prepared for next year's mass production.

The BMW sixth-generation power battery project will also start supplying batteries for Neue Klasse vehicles from 2026, with a total investment of 10 billion yuan (about 1.4 billion U.S. dollars).

Michele Melchiorre, senior vice president of technology and manufacturing at BMW Brilliance, emphasized that the new model combines global engineering excellence with local innovation, reflecting the plant's commitment to quality and sustainability.

BMW is collaborating with Chinese partners like CATL and Alibaba to advance battery production and AI integration. These efforts aim to deliver an intelligent driving experience tailored to Chinese roads.

Aligned with green manufacturing goals, BMW's Shenyang base operates entirely on renewable-source electricity. Geothermal heating has also been introduced to reduce carbon emissions further.

Advanced technologies, including over 200 AI solutions, are deployed throughout the production process. An AI-powered visual inspection system ensures precision by detecting even minute defects in real time.

As the largest global market for the BMW X3, China continues to be a strategic focus for the automaker. Total investment in BMW's Shenyang production base has exceeded 116 billion yuan since 2010.