BMW Brilliance Automotive (BBA) will cease local production of three electric vehicles in China by July, freeing up manufacturing capacity to support the upcoming Neue Klasse lineup. This move prioritizes introducing BMW’s next-generation electric platform, signaling a strategic pivot in the company’s China operations.
The models affected are the iX1, the China-exclusive G28 i3 sedan, and the long-wheelbase i5. Each utilizes BMW’s fifth-generation battery electric vehicle technology (Gen5 BEV), built on the CLAR modular platform or the FAAR architecture. These platforms have serviced BMW’s earlier electric and hybrid models but are now being replaced by a more advanced, purpose-built electric architecture.
The iX1, a compact electric SUV tailored for the Chinese market, competes in a segment dominated by domestic brands. The i3 G28 is distinct from the global i3, instead based on the G20 3 Series chassis but developed specifically for China, offering a battery-electric powertrain since its local launch. The i5 long-wheelbase serves customers seeking extra rear legroom in a mid-size electric sedan, a feature unavailable in the internationally produced version.
These models have performed adequately but rely on mixed powertrain platforms adapted from internal combustion vehicle architectures. BMW’s move to clear their production lines aligns with the arrival of Neue Klasse models, which represent a new era of BMW electric vehicles built on a dedicated EV platform.
Earlier this year at Auto China in Beijing, BMW unveiled the iX3 L and i3 L—both long-wheelbase Neue Klasse vehicles designed exclusively for the Chinese market. These cars incorporate sixth-generation BEV technology characterized by a new round-cell battery format, upgraded electrical systems, and advanced software capabilities.
The new platform also features localized user experiences, including a voice interaction system developed with Chinese technology partners like DeepSeek, replacing Amazon-based systems found in BMW vehicles outside China. Production of these Neue Klasse models will start at the retooled Shenyang plant once the transition is complete.
This reshuffle represents a significant step as BMW commits to modernizing its electric lineup in China, aligning plant operations with the global shift toward fully electric vehicles tailored to regional market demands.