BMW has begun assembling its next-generation Gen6 battery packs at its Shenyang facility in China, marking another step in the automaker’s efforts to expand local electric vehicle production. The batteries will power locally manufactured EVs, including models in the company’s Neue Klasse lineup. The move comes as BMW faces declining sales in China and prepares to introduce new electric vehicles in its largest single market.
BMW’s Gen6 Batteries Promise More Range and Faster Charging
The new battery production announcement follows news that a China-produced BMW i3 traveled 1,213 kilometers, or 754 miles, on a single charge. Both developments highlight the role of next-generation battery technology in BMW’s expanding electric vehicle lineup.
As demonstrated in the global BMW i3, iX3 and recently unveiled iX4, cylindrical battery cells offer more than 20% higher energy density, while charging speed and driving range can improve by up to 30%. These gains could make BMW’s upcoming electric vehicles more attractive to buyers concerned about driving range and charging times.
The Gen6 technology is not limited to vehicles built on dedicated electric platforms. BMW’s CLAR-based iX5 also uses the next-generation battery technology, extending its application across different vehicle architectures.
BMW has also adopted a cell-to-pack design that integrates cylindrical cells directly into the battery housing instead of first grouping them into separate modules. Eliminating that intermediate step makes more efficient use of available space and gives the automaker greater flexibility when integrating batteries into different vehicle designs.
BMW Expands Its Global Gen6 Battery Manufacturing Network
Shenyang is the third location in BMW’s new Gen6 battery production network, following facilities in Debrecen, Hungary, and Irlbach-Straßkirchen, Germany. Two additional assembly sites, located in Woodruff, South Carolina, and San Luis Potosí, Mexico, are expected to begin series production in the coming months.
The expansion supports BMW’s local-for-local manufacturing strategy, which involves producing batteries close to the vehicle plants they supply. By assembling battery packs nearer to their destinations, the company can reduce the need to transport bulky components over long distances while maintaining a more resilient manufacturing network.
The Shenyang facility will supply batteries for China’s Neue Klasse lineup as BMW prepares to introduce its new electric vehicle architecture to the market. Local production and competitive pricing are particularly important in China, where the company needs its next generation of long-wheelbase electric vehicles to gain traction.
BMW and MINI Sales Decline in China
BMW faces a challenging sales environment in China despite its investment in next-generation electric vehicles. BMW and MINI reached a combined sales peak of 847,900 cars in 2021, but the total fell to 626,000 units in 2025.
The downturn has continued into 2026. Through September, sales were down 21.8%, adding to the pressure on the automaker as it prepares to expand its electric vehicle offerings.
BMW has reasons to be more optimistic about the fourth quarter of 2026, with the iX3 now on sale locally. The i3 sedan, however, is not expected to arrive for another few months.
Long-Wheelbase BMW Models Face Growing Competition
BMW has already revealed a China-specific version of the X5/iX5 with a longer wheelbase. The model could help the automaker compete in a market where rivals Mercedes and Audi are also struggling.
The rapid growth of domestic Chinese automakers has put pressure on established manufacturers. Local brands are introducing significantly cheaper vehicles equipped with extensive technology, while improvements in quality and design have moved them beyond the era of widely criticized knockoffs.
BMW’s expanded Gen6 battery production in Shenyang supports its broader push to strengthen its electric vehicle lineup in China. With sales under pressure and competition intensifying, the company is preparing to rely on next-generation battery technology, local manufacturing and new electric models to support its position in the market.
