Chongqing - On April 26, BMW announced its intention to deepen its presence in China, planning to increase its investment in the production base in Shenyang by 20 billion yuan (USD 2.76 billion).
This investment primarily targets the significant upgrade and technological innovation of BMW's Plant Dadong in China, paving the way for localized production of the BMW Vision Neue Klasse, set to commence in 2026.
The BMW Group is actively pursuing electrification, digitalization, and sustainable development. The Shenyang production base prioritizes sustainability, driving advancements in China's manufacturing and automotive industries.
BMW Vision Neue Klasse. (Photo/BMW Group)
BMW Group Chairman Oliver Zipse stated that through the localization of BMW Vision Neue Klasse, enhanced collaboration with Liaoning Province and Shenyang will encompass industrial upgrading, technological innovation, supply chain strengthening, and talent development.
The BMW Shenyang production base currently integrates research and development, procurement, and production, with an annual capacity of 830,000 vehicles. It is one of BMW Group's largest production bases and most important new energy vehicle centers globally.
"The cooperation between the BMW Group and Liaoning is a model of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, heralding a new era of individually intelligent mobility driven by innovation and technology," Zipse said. "By 2026, the first BMW Vision Neue Klasse manufactured in China will roll off the production line in Shenyang."
The BMW Shenyang production base prioritizes sustainable development, incorporating "full-chain carbon reduction" and "circular sustainability" principles throughout production, logistics, supply chain, and operations, yielding remarkable energy and resource utilization outcomes.
In intelligent manufacturing, AI technology is extensively utilized at the Shenyang production base, with around 100 AI applications currently operational.
For example, the stamping workshop employs a self-developed AI intelligent quality inspection system, while the painting workshop utilizes AI visual inspection. These systems enable real-time process monitoring and instant data analysis, enhancing production efficiency and product quality optimization.
The automated optical inspection equipment in the painting workshop detects the quality of the car paint. (Photo/BMW Group)
In green production, sustainable concepts and the circular economy are fully integrated into various operational aspects of the production base.
Since 2019, the entire BMW Shenyang production base has been powered by 100% renewable electricity. The "smart energy" system has elevated production and operational efficiency and green carbon reduction to new heights.
The Shenyang production base features a comprehensive wastewater treatment system for closed-loop water resource management. Collaborating with local partners, it pioneered domestic electric vehicle battery material closed-loop recycling, cutting 70% of carbon emissions from mineral resource extraction.