BMW CEO Oliver Zipse has revealed that the upcoming BMW iX3 has already secured more than 50,000 orders globally, signaling strong early demand for BMW’s next-generation electric SUV.
Speaking at the company’s annual conference, the BMW chief confirmed the impressive order tally comes just six months after reservations opened. The new iX3 debuted at the IAA Mobility 2025 in September 2025, where BMW began accepting customer orders.
Strong Demand Ahead of Full Production
Although the iX3 is not yet sold out for the year, BMW says the current order bank already stretches well into 2026. Production will take place at the company’s new facility in Debrecen, Hungary.
The plant is capable of producing up to 150,000 vehicles annually once fully operational. However, because the factory is entirely new, BMW plans to gradually ramp up production capacity as operations scale.
Launch Version: iX3 50 xDrive
At launch, the iX3 lineup will start with a single version — the iX3 50 xDrive. This dual-motor all-wheel-drive variant will sit roughly in the middle of the model’s future range.
BMW expects demand to expand further once more accessible versions arrive.
More Affordable iX3 40 Coming Soon
By the end of the year, BMW plans to introduce the iX3 40, a lower-priced variant aimed at attracting a wider audience.
The new version is expected to be offered with both rear-wheel drive (single motor) and all-wheel drive (dual motor).
Reports indicate the model could feature a smaller battery pack and slightly reduced range. However, its lower price point should help broaden the iX3’s appeal in the competitive electric SUV market.
Global Expansion Planned
Customer deliveries have already started in Europe, but the U.S. launch will follow later this summer.
BMW is also preparing a long-wheelbase version of the electric SUV. Internally known as NA6, the stretched model will complement the global NA5 version.
Traditionally, long-wheelbase models have been reserved for China, but BMW plans to offer this variant in additional markets including India, Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
With strong early demand and additional versions on the way, the new iX3 could become a key pillar in BMW’s next phase of electric vehicle growth.
Plug-in Vehicle Deliveries in 2025
Last year, the BMW Group increased its BEV sales worldwide to 442,056 units (+3.6%), representing 17.9% of its total sales. This means that one in six BMW Group vehicles sold was fully electric. At MINI, the percentage was even higher, with one in three vehicles already fully electric.
Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) also remain an essential component of the technology-neutral approach and the electrification of the model range: In total, the BMW Group delivered 642,071 electrified vehicles, including plug-in hybrids (PHEVs and BEVs) in 2025, meaning that one in four vehicles was electrified. In Europe, the proportion was even higher, where 40 percent of BMW Group vehicles were either fully electric or plug-in hybrids.
In 2025, the BMW Group reached two major electrification milestones since the debut of the BMW i3 and BMW i8 in 2013: In June, the 1.5-millionth fully-electric vehicle was handed over to its new owner. This was followed in August by the three-millionth electrified vehicle. The next milestone will come this year, with the two-millionth fully-electric vehicle.
