Shortly after BMW introduced the second generation of the iX3, orders started pouring in. As a reminder: The world premiere took place last September at the IAA Mobility Show in Munich. Just a month later, the electric SUV was already surpassing the gasoline-powered X3 in orders in Germany.
In November, CEO Oliver Zipse said the model, known internally as “NA5,” was off to an “extremely positive start.” So much so that the order books were already good enough to cover production well into 2026. By December, the iX3 was almost sold out in Europe, according to Massimiliano Di Silvestre, president and CEO of BMW Italy.
The mirror now reports that order intake remains strong. Citing BMW insiders, the German newspaper claims that the iX3 is attracting “very high order volumes” from both private and fleet buyers. In order to meet increasing demand, BMW wants to ramp up production at its new Debrecen plant in Hungary.
A third shift will reportedly be introduced earlier than originally planned. At full capacity, the factory can build up to 150,000 vehicles annually. The mirror also notes that the iX3 is attracting customers who have never bought a BMW before, with one in three reportedly new to the brand.
It’s worth noting that repeat BMW buyers are reportedly ordering the iX3 without even seeing it in the metal. Test drives will only be possible from the beginning of March, when the New Class EV goes on sale in Europe. Americans will have to wait until summer, while customers in China will get a long-wheelbase version later this year. The stretched iX3 “NA6” is also sold in India, Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia.
Debrecen will be the only plant in the BMW Group production network to assemble the standard wheelbase iX3 for almost two years. The “NA5” is scheduled to go into production at the San Luis Potosí plant in Mexico from August 2027.
The high order intake is all the more impressive when you consider that BMW currently only offers a single version: the iX3 50 xDrive. Once the single-engine, rear-wheel drive variant reaches Europe at the end of the year, demand is expected to increase again. The iX3 40 will have a lower starting price, while performance enthusiasts can look forward to the iX3 M60 and later a later X3 M in the coming years.
The Swoopy iX4 hasn’t been officially announced yet, but spy shots suggest its world premiere will likely take place later this year. It would make sense for BMW to also build the electric coupe SUV in Debrecen, and the decision to introduce this third shift earlier than planned would be a logical step.
Source: Der Spiegel (subscription required)
