BMW Group has begun series production of the eighth-generation 3 Series Sedan at its Dingolfing plant in Bavaria. The site builds the versions with combustion engines, and plug-in hybrids are due to follow from 2027. The all-electric BMW i3 is being built in Munich. Market launch begins in stages from the first quarter of 2027.

This week, the eighth-generation BMW 3 Series Sedan entered series production at BMW Group Plant Dingolfing. The new car takes on the design language of the Neue Klasse and several of its key technologies, including BMW Panoramic iDrive, a new electrical and electronic architecture and new driver assistance systems.

The release gives no technical specifications, powertrain outputs or prices for the new model.

Two plants, two powertrain strategies

BMW is splitting production of the new generation between two German plants. Munich builds the all-electric BMW i3. Dingolfing builds the 3 Series Sedan with combustion engines and, from 2027, with plug-in hybrid powertrains.

The company describes this split as part of its technology-open approach, which keeps several powertrain types on offer. BMW says it has invested a total of around one billion euros in further developing the Munich and Dingolfing plants for this purpose.

In Dingolfing, the 3 Series shares a line in assembly hall 50 with BMW 4 Series and 5 Series models. According to the manufacturer, the equipment on that line can handle different powertrain variants.

Landshut supplies key parts

Many important components come from BMW Group Plant Landshut, which is the group’s largest component manufacturing site. Landshut supplies crankcases and cylinder heads for the four- and six-cylinder engines, as well as the propeller shaft. It also makes interior parts, including the instrument panel and glove compartment.

One of those interior parts is new lighting technology in the cockpit. An integrated light box backlights a range of surface materials. BMW says Landshut handled this feature from pre-development through industrialisation to series production.

Reusing existing production lines

BMW says the new model was fitted into existing production structures. The paint shop and assembly lines needed only limited changes. Most of the work was for Neue Klasse features such as Panoramic iDrive, which changed how the cockpit is pre-assembled.

The body shop received a new powertrain-neutral line inside the existing building. Around one third of its roughly 750 robots come from existing production facilities. To support quality control, the plant uses automatic best-fit adjustment of doors and closures, along with automated surface inspection. In inbound logistics, automated forklifts, Splitbots and around 250 Smart Transport Robots handle deliveries and move materials to the line. BMW groups these measures under its BMW iFACTORY production strategy.

A return to the 3 Series’ old home

The 3 Series has history at Dingolfing. The plant built the first-generation E21 from 1980 and produced several generations of the sedan until 2004. It later built the 3 Series Gran Turismo from 2013 to 2021. More than 1.15 million 3 Series cars have been made at the site so far. Worldwide, around 18 million cars in the series have been sold since the model’s launch in 1975.

We are delighted that the BMW 3 Series Sedan is returning to Dingolfing. With this model, we are integrating a product featuring key Neue Klasse technologies into our existing production structures. Once again, we are demonstrating our strength in manufacturing different models with all powertrain variants in a highly flexible and competitive way, in line with our technology-open approach.

That is how Christoph Schröder, Head of BMW Group Plant Dingolfing, described the move.

What it means for Dingolfing

Dingolfing is BMW Group’s largest production site in Europe. It employs around 18,000 people and approximately 950 apprentices, and it builds around 1,350 vehicles a day. Besides the new 3 Series, the plant produces 4 Series, 5 Series and 7 Series models, the BMW iX, vehicles from BMW M GmbH and the BMW 7 Series Protection.

Stefan Schmid, Chairman of the Works Council at the Dingolfing site, said: “The new BMW 3 Series sends a strong signal for Dingolfing and, above all, for our workforce. It creates long-term prospects for the site and its employees. The fact that this important future model is coming to Dingolfing is also thanks to the experience, flexibility and tremendous commitment of our colleagues.”

The 3 Series is one of the best-known models in the premium compact sedan class, so the switch to Neue Klasse technology is a big step for BMW. The company plans to bring around 40 new or updated models with Neue Klasse technologies onto the road by the end of 2027.

Facts: BMW 3 Series Sedan (production)

  • Generation: eighth
  • Plant: BMW Group Plant Dingolfing, assembly hall 50 (shared with 4 Series and 5 Series)
  • Powertrains built at Dingolfing: combustion engines; plug-in hybrids from 2027
  • All-electric version: BMW i3, built at Plant Munich
  • Investment in Munich and Dingolfing: around one billion euros
  • Body shop: approximately 750 robots, around one third reused
  • Market launch: in stages from the first quarter of 2027

The new BMW 3 Series Sedan goes on sale in stages from the first quarter of 2027.

Source: newsroom.bmwgroup.com