Debrecen4U
March 17, 2026
BMW Group Plant Debrecen Ramps Up to Two‑Shift Operations
”Demand for the BMW iX3 manufactured in Debrecen has significantly surpassed our expectations. Substantial orders are being received from both private and fleet buyers, and we are also attracting many new customers who have never driven a BMW before,” said Oliver Zipse, Chief Executive Officer of BMW Group, at the company’s press conference presenting its 2025 results.
Oliver Zipse also stated that their order books for the iX3 are full and extend until the end of this year. By leveraging the flexibility of their production and supplier network, they are increasing capacity in line with demand.
At the event, BMW confirmed that they have launched the second shift in Debrecen much earlier than originally planned.
As previously reported, the first German customers were able to take delivery of their BMW iX3 models produced in Debrecen at the end of January. At the event, Jochen Goller, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for customer relations, brands and sales, stated for the first time that customer interest is already enormous: since the world premiere, every third fully electric BMW ordered in Europe has been an iX3 model. As a result, production ramp-up is being accelerated and the second shift in Debrecen is being introduced much earlier.
The first model of the Neue Klasse family, the iX3, has been produced at the Debrecen plant since last autumn. Recently, the cars set off by train on their journey to global markets, and since last week they have already been present in European showrooms. The model will be launched in the United States in the summer of 2026.
More than 50,000 units were ordered in just the first half year, with a considerable number of Hungarian customers among the buyers.
András Salgó, Head of Corporate Communications at BMW Group Hungary, told Dehir that BMW Group Hungary always publishes vehicle registration data, which will be released for the first time this year in early April 2026. He added, however, that the model’s strong domestic order backlog also reflects its international success.
A joint report by HR Portal and Opten says that the number of employees at the BMW plant in Debrecen has increased to 4,070, while recruitment is continuing. According to BMW’s careers website, applications are currently being accepted for 30 positions at the Debrecen plant. They are looking, among others, for team leaders and specialists in several production units, maintenance staff, production workers, and a business assistant.
In 2025, the BMW Group sold nearly 2.5 million vehicles, with profits exceeding €10 billion. Oliver Zipse also announced that more than 40 new or updated models will be introduced to the market by 2027.
Source: dehir.hu | Photo credit: debrecen.hu
