BMW M builds millionth car as Munich prepares for electric M3
Words: Kyle Cassidy
BMW M has built its one-millionth vehicle, an M3 finished in BMW Individual Fire Orange III, while confirming that its Munich factory will also produce the first fully electric M3.
The milestone car was handed over by Munich plant head Peter Weber to BMW M chief executive Franciscus van Meel during a ceremony at the factory. It marks more than five decades of BMW M production and comes 40 years after the original M3 reached the market.
“BMW M combines road and racetrack capabilities with everyday practicality,” says van Meel.
“The one-millionth BMW M vehicle shows that these values are still very much appreciated by our customers, 40 years after the market launch of the first BMW M3.”
Read more – 1988 BMW M3 Review
Munich began building the current M3 generation in 2020. The factory will retain its connection to the nameplate, with the fully electric M3 to be manufactured exclusively at the site.
BMW says it will be the first high-performance model to feature BMW M Neue Klasse technology. It will also become Munich’s second Neue Klasse model, following the fully electric BMW i3.
The wider Munich plant is scheduled to switch entirely to electric vehicle production from 2027.
BMW is investing around €650 million in converting the site, which has been producing vehicles for more than a century. The work includes a new body shop, vehicle assembly facilities and logistics areas, occupying approximately a third of the plant’s total area.
The redevelopment has been carried out while existing vehicle production continued. BMW says revised manufacturing processes, digital systems and closer cooperation with development teams and suppliers will support production of the electric M3.
“The BMW M3 has close ties to the BMW Group’s main plant in Munich,” says Weber.
“We are delighted that we will also be producing the first fully-electric BMW M3 here in Munich.”
