BMW M builds millionth car as it preps for arrival of electric M3
BMW M has built its one-millionth car, an M3 sedan, at BMW Group Plant Munich ahead of the historic factory’s switch to all-electric production and the arrival of the first electric M3 in 2027.
The milestone car comes 40 years after the original M3 was launched.
BMW’s Munich plant, which opened in 1922 building aircraft engines and motorcycles, is located alongside its corporate headquarters in Munich and is currently undergoing the biggest change in its history.
Vehicle production began there with the BMW 501 in 1952, while the 3-Series has been built at the site since 1975 and, since 2026 it has produced the new i3 sedan.
Today, Munich also builds other 3-Series models, including the 3-Series Touring wagon and M derivatives, together with the 4-Series Gran Coupe and electric i4. More than 170,000 cars were produced at the plant in 2025.
Electric M3 will replace gas version at Munich
That model mix is set to change quickly. BMW is spending about 650 million euros ($760 million) on facility upgrades, including a new body shop, assembly line and logistics areas covering roughly one-third of the site. Internal combustion engine car production is due to end there by late 2027, after which BMW says its Munich plant will only build EVs.
The new four-door electric M3 built exclusively at Munich will use an M-specific version of the Neue Klasse architecture and a unique-to-BMW M drivetrain, with an electric motor independently driving each wheel. Its battery pack will get revised cooling and cell chemistry versus what’s used in the i3, so that the electric M3 can handle greater peak and sustained power demands.
BMW hasn’t yet announced a firm production date for the electric M3 beyond saying it will begin next year. Although its arrival won’t signal the end of the road for the gasoline M3, its production will need to find a new home as Plant Munich goes fully electric.