As you walk through the massive gates of a car plant, you expect to see large amounts of smoke, machines, lights, and robots. However, you are experiencing something that rarely happens on a cool fall day in Munich: the creation of the very first pre-production models of the i3 electric vehicle by BMW. This is just one of many reasons why we are extremely excited about the new i3 being available to drive on actual streets soon.
What “pre-production” really means and why it’s more than just building cars
Although pre-production may seem technical, it is similar to a dress rehearsal before a significant play. The first iterations of the i3 are almost fully functioning vehicles, built for the engineer’s inspection of how everything fits and operates.
Everything is then tested from every angle, including how the doors close and the smoothness of the assembly line. If there is a problem with any of those areas, BMW will correct it before full production. Pre-production is primarily focused on ensuring that the actual cars are both safe and of the highest quality possible.
This is why this is so interesting; we know they are building these vehicles now, but it is not clear what they look like yet, since they are still disguised by camo fabric when leaving production. It’s kind of like seeing the first few pages of a book and not reading the rest of it.
Inside BMW’s Munich plant: Bridging decades of craftsmanship with the electric age
The history of BMW’s Munich assembly plant is long-standing. For so many years, it’s where they produced their luxury cars; And now it will form part of BMW’s new electric future. The BMW i3 has been manufactured in its entirety from start to end, and each stage has taken place in Munich, from welding to final assembly. This is much more than the production process; this is the evolution of the company, just as Volvo unveils its all-electric EX60 ultramodern SUV.
An essential piece of BMW’s transformation is called the company’s “iFACTORY” process for digitizing and high-tech management of all personnel and operations, including the plants’ robots and logistics systems.
More simply stated, there have been major changes in how BMW’s manufacturing plants will be designed to support the manufacture of this new electric vehicle compared to traditional methods at BMW’s plants before November 2022.
The human effort behind pre-production detail
The excitement of this new-age environment isn’t just about machines; it’s about actual people: engineers, technicians, and assembly workers, who contribute to this change. Visualize them speaking to one another as they evaluate each pre-production i3, make improvements to the systems, and rarely stop looking for potential issues, just as the sixth-generation Toyota RAV4 with an electrified powertrain.
For these workers, this stage probably feels like the last few weeks before graduation, full of hope, pressure, and maybe a few sleepless nights.
What comes next as the 2026 debut approaches
The pre-series i3 cars are the last test before we begin full production of the i3 series in the second half of 2026. Once BMW has finalized all components and perfected the production process, it will begin to mass-produce the i3 and ultimately deliver it to customers.
We still don’t have all the answers regarding how well the new i3 will perform, what its final design will look like, or what specific features it will have. However, this uncertainty is an aspect of why this moment is so exciting, because although we know that the journey towards releasing the i3 has begun, we will not be able to fully visualize it until the i3 is officially unveiled.
These pre-production milestones represent progress towards serial production of vehicles, but are also viewed as a moment of anticipation of the coming innovative electric car, as well as the exciting engineering work that went into creating the i3. These early vehicles will not be available on public roadways yet; however, we can anticipate being able to drive them by 2026 and beyond. Keep an eye on what’s ahead, as there are still great things to come regarding that next chapter in our history, as the refreshed 2026 Genesis GV70 strengthened the U.S. luxury market.
