BMW secures Neue Klasse production start in the US

Japanese battery cell manufacturer AESC is a key supplier for BMW’s Neue Klasse, the new electric vehicle architecture featuring an 800-volt system voltage. The platform already made its debut in Europe in September with the battery-electric SUV iX3 at the IAA.

BMW has long planned to begin producing Neue Klasse models at its US plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, this year. The factory has already been prepared for this transition, and the company has also established a battery assembly plant in Woodruff. Under the “local for local” concept, this facility was intended to be supplied with battery cells from AESC’s new plant in Florence, also located in South Carolina.

However, AESC paused construction of its battery cell factory in Florence last June, citing uncertainties regarding US economic policy and market conditions. This development threatened BMW’s plans to start producing Neue Klasse vehicles in the US by 2026, with the first model expected to be the new iX5.

However, BMW’s Chief Procurement Officer, Nicolai Martin, has now confirmed that the issues have been resolved. “There is no risk of a battery cell shortage for our Spartanburg plant,” Martin told the German Automobilwoche. “The new facility in Woodruff will begin assembling high-voltage batteries as planned in 2026, and by the end of 2026, we will start manufacturing fully electric vehicles in Spartanburg.”

For a transitional period, AESC will supply BMW’s US production with cells from its global production network. At the same time, BMW continues to pursue a localised value chain within the US. However, it remains unclear whether the cells will still be sourced from AESC or if other battery cell manufacturers might be considered.

automobilwoche.de (in German)