Debrecen. With an impressive ceremony that
artistically combined Hungarian culture and modern automotive
production, Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW
AG, today officially opened the BMW Group plant in Debrecen. The BMW
Group’s newest and most innovative production site marks the beginning
of a new era for the company. In late October, the new BMW iX3 will
enter series production in the Hungarian university town of Debrecen
as the first vehicle of the Neue Klasse. Plant Debrecen was planned
virtually and realised in practice fully in line with the principles
of the BMW iFACTORY, becoming the first BMW Group car plant to rely
entirely on electricity from renewable energy during normal operation.
In addition to Oliver Zipse, high-ranking representatives from
Hungarian politics, such as Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and the Mayor
of Debrecen, László Papp, as well as Milan Nedeljković, Member of the
Board of Management for Production, Ilka Horstmeier, Member of the
Board of Management for Human Resources and Real Estate, and
Hans-Peter Kemser, President and CEO BMW Manufacturing Hungary Kft.,
attended the grand opening.
“In our global production network, our new plant in Debrecen is a
pioneer: It is our first fully-electric plant, the first production
site to operate entirely without fossil fuels – and the first to build
vehicles for the Neue Klasse. This makes our plant in Debrecen a
decisive factor in the BMW Group’s future success,” said Oliver Zipse.
“The opening also sends a strong signal: We are expanding our
footprint on our home continent and reaffirming our commitment to
Europe as a strong and competitive location for industry.”
Hans-Peter Kemser added at the ceremony: “This is not only a new BMW
Group plant – it is a cornerstone of progress. We are a partner to
culture, to education and to the University of Debrecen, where
together we foster the talents that will shape the future. And above
all, it is a community – deeply embedded in the life of Debrecen and Hungary.”
Strengthening the industrial base and expanding training
The official opening ceremony began with a look back at the plant’s
construction, following a 2018 decision that launched one of Hungary’s
largest greenfield investments. The BMW Group’s first Central European
location has firmly placed Debrecen on the region’s automotive map,
creating more than 2,000 direct jobs – and many more along the supply
chain, at regional suppliers and service providers that have recently
established themselves in Debrecen, alongside national and
international companies. The new plant has also strengthened the
industrial park and driven additional investment in transport and infrastructure.
At the same time, through collaborations with institutions such as
the local university and the Vocational Training Centre of Debrecen,
DSZC, Plant Debrecen has also become one of the largest training hubs
for dual education programmes in Hungary.
Only the best of the best for Debrecen
Plant Debrecen is the first BMW Group production site not tied to a
specific primary plant. Instead, it serves as a network plant,
combining best practices from different locations worldwide. For
example, the press shop is modelled on the systems used in Spartanburg
(USA) and Swindon (Great Britain), with their know-how and
technologies further refined for Debrecen. In the body shop, the
positioning of nearly 1,000 industrial robots, along with their
processes, was digitally simulated in detail beforehand. The number of
joining methods was also significantly reduced, with further
streamlining allowing design features for the Neue Klasse to be
integrated early in development.
Paint shop key to largest reduction in CO2e emissions
At BMW Group Plant Debrecen, the paint shop plays a critical role in
significantly reducing the BMW iX3’s CO2e footprint.
Production of the new BMW iX3 will generate a total of about 80kg CO₂e
(scope 1/2 emissions). This figure covers CO₂e emissions from Plant
Debrecen, as well as in-house parts production at other BMW Group
facilities, including components manufactured in Landshut, for
example. This represents a reduction of approx. two-thirds compared to
production of existing BMW derivatives. For Plant Debrecen alone, this
approach will reduce CO₂e emissions from the manufacture of a vehicle,
including its high-voltage battery, by around 90% – to about 34 kg
CO₂e (when operating at full capacity, compared with other BMW Group facilities).
About a quarter of the plant’s annual power needs will be supplied by
the 50‑hectare on-site photovoltaic system, one of the largest in
Hungary. Surplus solar energy, such as that generated on non-working
days, is stored in a 1,800 m³ thermal storage system with a capacity
of 130 MWh.
Digitalised assembly processes and smart “finger structure”
Complete digitalisation of production processes further boosts
assembly efficiency – for example, sensors and camera systems along
the production line are used to automate quality processes. AI
evaluates the data and provides real-time feedback to employees on the
assembly line. The building’s “finger structure” – an optimised
version of BMW Group Plant Leipzig – allows 80% of parts to be
delivered directly to the correct point of assembly on the line.
In-house logistics are fully electric.
High-voltage battery assembly in line with “local for local” principle
High-voltage batteries are assembled directly on site, allowing for
short distances in line with the “local for local” principle. Plant
Debrecen will be the first of five plants worldwide to begin series
production of Gen6 high-voltage batteries at this location. Seamless
in-line quality inspections and 100% end‑of‑line monitoring enable a
consistent zero-defect approach.
Final photo with employees and two BMW iX3s
The opening ceremony concluded with a music and dance performance
celebrating Hungarian culture and traditions, which the BMW Group also
supports through local events and organisations. To wrap up, numerous
employees joined Viktor Orbán and Oliver Zipse on stage, alongside two
new BMW iX3s.
WLTP energy consumption combined: 17,9 – 15,1 kWh/100 km; WLTP CO₂
emissions combined: 0 g/km; CO₂-class: A; WLTP electric range: 679 –
805 km