With an investment of more than 10 billion euros, BMW’s New Class must be successful. Fortunately, the early signs are promising. The debut model is off to a strong start in its home market. In the six weeks since the new iX3 was unveiled at the IAA mobility trade fair in Munich, the electric crossover has already sold better than the gasoline-powered X3.
At an industry summit organized by the Institute for the Automotive Industry (IfA), the head of BMW Germany revealed that there were over 3,000 orders for the iX3 (“NA5”) in Germany alone. Christian Ach mentioned that the number exceeds the order volume of the conventionally powered X3 (“G45”) in the same period.
BMW is already worried about meeting the high order intake. Ach admits that it is entirely possible that the company “will not be able to meet the high demand with production in 2026.” However, a spokesman said Automobile Week that the automaker will do everything it can to shorten delivery times. The first deliveries are planned for spring in Europe. Americans will have to wait until summer.
Series production will begin at the end of this month at the new BMW plant in Debrecen, Hungary, which will have an annual capacity of around 150,000 vehicles once fully expanded. While some may call this a good problem to have, ideally BMW would like to match production to demand. Longer wait times risk losing customers, especially as Mercedes prepares to launch its own electric GLC with strong technical credentials.
It’s worth noting that the iX3 will also be built in San Luis Potosí, but not until 2027. We’ve heard that US deliveries will reportedly continue to come from Debrecen even after production begins in Mexico. A long-wheelbase version (“NA6”) built in China for the local market will be launched next year.
BMW will initially sell the new iX3 exclusively as a 50 xDrive variant. Cheaper versions, including the 40 xDrive and 40 sDrive, have already been announced and should attract more buyers. At the other end of the range, an M Performance version is on the way, and there’s probably a full-fledged M model in the pipeline too.
For those who haven’t caught the SUV bug yet, BMW will offer an i3 (“NA0”). The fully electric sedan will be built in Munich from the second half of 2026. China will probably also have its own stretched version (“NA8”) with more legroom in the rear.
Source: Automobilwoche (subscription required)
