据外媒报道，为支持iX3的电池生产，宝马通过华晨汽车（BBA）合资企业开始在其现有中国现场附近建造一座新的制造工厂。华晨宝马汽车成立于2003年，很快成为中国顶级汽车制造商之一。被称为高压电池中心第二阶段，它将负责为第五代BMWeDrive技术推出更强大的电池。宝马集团负责生产的董事会成员齐普策（OliverZipse）表示：“我们已经为自家电动汽车攻势的下一发展阶段奠基了。可以说，我们将会进一步增加中国本土电池的产能。这将使得我们能够赶得上中国对电动出行日益增长的需求。”宝马iX3曾在北京车展亮相，该宝马iX3于3月份在北京展出。当时显示的概念是由一台可提供270马力的电动机驱动的。在推出时，它配备了第四代宝马电池组，可提供70千瓦时的电力，并且适合每次充电402公里。下一代电池组预计将比现有电池具备更强劲动力，可提供更长续航里程。根据目前有限的信息，预计续航里程可达700公里。与业内所有车厂一样，宝马也计划推出更多电动车。iX3是宝马和MINI车辆电动化的一部分，预计到2025年将发布12款电动车。
BMW to Manufacture iX3 Batteries in China
To support battery production for the iX3, BMW, through the Brilliance Automotive (BBA) joint venture, started building a new manufacturing facility near its existing site in China. BBA was founded in 2003 and has quickly become one of the top premium automobile manufacturers in China.
To be called High-Voltage Battery Centre Phase II, it would be in charge of rolling off more powerful batteries for the fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology.
“Today, we break ground for the next stage of our electric model offensive,” said in a statement the man in charge with the production efforts at BMW, Oliver Zipse.
“In this regard, we further increase the capacity of our local battery production. This enables us to follow the increasing demand for electro mobility in China.”
The BMW iX3 was presented in March in Beijing. The concept shown at the time was powered by a single electric motor that delivers 270 hp. As it was introduced, it was fitted with the fourth-generation BMW battery pack which delivers 70 kWh and is good for 250 miles per charge (402 km).
The next generation of the battery pack is projected to be much punchier than the existing one and will provide a huge increase in range. According to the limited information available at this time, the increased range is estimated to stand at 700 kilometers (435 miles).
As all carmakers in the industry, BMW too plans an invasion of electrified models. The iX3 is part of an army of electric BMW and MINI vehicles comprised of 12 different models to be released by 2025.