- BMW will add a second electric motor production line at the Steyr plant to support upcoming Neue Klasse vehicles.
- The company is also preparing to industrialize hydrogen fuel cell systems with development work beginning in 2026.
The BMW electric motor production expansion will take place at the Steyr plant in Austria, where a second production line will enter series production to support the next generation of electric vehicles. Announced on March 6 by BMW Austria, the additional production capacity is designed to strengthen the supply of drive systems for the company’s upcoming Neue Klasse platform and support higher vehicle output beginning in 2026.
Second production line to support Neue Klasse ramp-up
The Steyr facility will add a second production line dedicated to electric motor manufacturing, significantly increasing output capacity. This move aligns with BMW’s broader electrification strategy as the company prepares to scale production for the Neue Klasse vehicle architecture.
The Neue Klasse platform will underpin several next-generation electric models and is expected to play a central role in BMW’s future product portfolio. The expansion of drive system production ensures the Steyr plant can meet growing demand for electric propulsion technologies.
Strong vehicle pipeline driving powertrain demand
BMW’s upcoming product roadmap includes several new and updated models, highlighting the growing importance of electric drive systems produced at the Austrian facility. Models such as the BMW i3 and BMW X5 are part of the brand’s future lineup, which will increasingly rely on electrified propulsion systems.
By 2027, BMW plans to introduce more than 40 new or updated vehicles globally. Many of these vehicles will utilize drive systems manufactured at the Steyr plant, reinforcing the facility’s strategic role in the company’s electrification transition.
Hydrogen fuel cell technology development begins in 2026
Alongside electric motor production, BMW is preparing for the development of hydrogen-powered propulsion technologies. The Steyr development center will begin work in 2026 on industrializing a hydrogen fuel cell system designed for future vehicle production.
Preparation for pre-series hydrogen production
Factory modifications required for hydrogen system development are scheduled to begin this year. The industrialization program aims to prepare the technology for larger-scale manufacturing as the automotive industry continues exploring alternative zero-emission propulsion systems.
Pre-series production of the hydrogen fuel cell system is expected to begin in 2027, marking another step in BMW’s strategy to diversify its future powertrain portfolio beyond battery-electric vehicles.
With expanded electric motor manufacturing and parallel development of hydrogen propulsion technologies, BMW is strengthening its long-term position in next-generation mobility solutions.
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