Last June, Automotive Energy Supply Corporation (AESC) halted construction of its new battery cell plant in South Carolina. The $1.6 billion project was intended to support production of electric BMWs at the automaker’s Spartanburg plant. Fortunately, the Japanese company’s decision to pause work hasn’t derailed BMW’s EV plans.
In an interview with the German business newspaper Automobile WeekBMW purchasing manager Nicolai Martin explained how the situation was defused. To prevent a shortage, AESC will supply the BMW plant in South Carolina with battery cells from other factories.
BMW’s $700 million investment in a new battery assembly plant in Woodruff is nearing completion. This gives the automaker the infrastructure to build battery packs for its upcoming electric vehicles. Construction began at the end of 2023 and the factory will be operational later this year. Martin confirmed that the company remains on track to begin electric vehicle production in Spartanburg by the end of 2026.
BMW is keeping quiet about which electric vehicles it will build in the U.S., but has committed to producing at least six models by the end of the decade. At the top is likely to be the iX5, a fully electric version of the fifth-generation X5. Known internally as the “G65,” the luxury SUV has been confirmed for its debut in 2026 with combustion engines, plug-in hybrid and electric powertrains. A hydrogen fuel cell variant is also planned for selected markets from 2028.
The iX7 (G67) is expected to follow in 2027, with an iX6 (G66) in 2028. There are also rumors of a G74 model planned for 2029, said to be derived from the next X5 but with a stronger off-road focus and a mix of hybrid and electric powertrains. This leaves two models unaccounted for, which are probably SUVs. All are expected to fall under the New Class umbrella, although these zero-emissions heavyweights will continue to use the CLAR platform shared with their internal combustion engine counterparts.
Meanwhile, BMW has freed up production capacity at its Spartanburg plant by phasing out the X4. The last “G02” rolled off the assembly line in November; a direct replacement was not planned. An all-electric iX4 is in development, but its production location is still unclear. BMW could choose to build the coupe-style electric crossover at its new factory in Debrecen, Hungary, where the iX3 is already being produced.
Source: Automobilwoche (subscription required)
