Neue Klasse Becomes the Most Expensive Experiment in BMW’s History

BMW has poured over $11.7 billion into the Neue Klasse platform, betting big on the upcoming iX3 and more than 40 models set to launch by 2027.

This is the largest single investment in the company’s history. The funds went into vehicle development, sixth-generation electric motors and batteries, and the construction of a new plant in Debrecen, Hungary, where mass production of the iX3 crossover will begin in November 2025. According to CEO Oliver Zipse, the investment is already fully covered while keeping profitability intact.

The iX3 will be the first model built on the Neue Klasse platform and will debut at the IAA Mobility show in Munich. Sales are scheduled to begin in Europe in spring 2026 and in the U.S. in summer 2026. The initial model will be the iX3 50 xDrive, followed later by a more affordable iX3 40 sDrive. For China — BMW’s largest market — a long-wheelbase version tailored to local demand is in development.

By the end of 2027, BMW plans to roll out more than 40 new or updated models on the Neue Klasse architecture, including the i3 sedan. The company is confident that the 2025 launches and subsequent models will strengthen BMW’s position in key global markets.