We have known for two years that the historic BMW factory in Munich will switch exclusively to electric vehicles. The change is scheduled for the end of 2027, when the last vehicles with combustion engines should roll off the assembly line. As a result, the luxury automaker is preparing to stop production of the 3 Series there. For the first time ever, Bavaria’s typical sports sedan will not be assembled in Munich.
Confirming previous reports of production relocations, BMW announced today that the next 3 Series will indeed be built in Dingolfing. The eighth-generation model, codenamed “G50,” will sit alongside its larger brothers, the 5 and 7 Series, as well as their electric counterparts. Although the start of production date (SOP) is not being announced at the moment, we have previously reported that it will likely be sometime in November 2026.
Speaking of electric sedans: The four-door i3 will indirectly continue the 50-year Munich 3 Series production tradition. The new electric vehicle is scheduled to go into production at the 103-year-old BMW headquarters in the second half of 2026. The “NA0” is also assembled in China and Mexico.
Back to the 3 Series: It won’t be the first time that BMW builds the car in Dingolfing. In fact, only the E90 and the current G20 were not manufactured there. In total, the model has been manufactured in 18 factories in 13 countries since the first E21 rolled off the assembly line in 1975. Since the introduction of the successor to the 02 series 50 years ago, a total of more than 20 million units have been sold.
BMW continues to keep a low profile on the 3 Series Touring. It’s unclear whether the rumored “G51” will even come to fruition. We’ve heard there’s a better chance of an i3 (“NA1”) wagon coming to market in 2027. However, neither the combustion engine version nor the electric version have been discovered so far.
Meanwhile, BMW is putting the finishing touches on the sedans. It has already been confirmed that the i3 will first launch in 2026, with the 3 Series following later this year. There’s something for everyone, including six-cylinder petrol engines for the M Performance and M models. Even the i3 gets the M Performance and M treatment, highlighting BMW’s continued investment in sedans.
Source: BMW
