BMW Motorrad has reached a major production milestone in Brazil, assembling its 150,000th motorcycle at the Manaus Plant as the facility marks its 10th anniversary. The achievement highlights the company’s continued investment in motorcycle production outside Germany and underscores the importance of its Brazilian manufacturing operations.
Manaus Plant Marks a Decade of Production
While BMW is widely recognized for its automobiles, the company has a longer history in motorcycle manufacturing. The BMW R 23 debuted in 1923, six years before the 3/15 PS DA 2 became the first car to wear the BMW badge.
More than a century after producing its first motorcycle, BMW Motorrad Brazil has celebrated the production of its 150,000th motorcycle at the Manaus Plant. The milestone coincides with the facility’s 10th anniversary, with the first motorcycles rolling off the production line in 2016.
The 150,000th unit is an R 1300 GS Adventure Triple Black, one of 13 motorcycle models currently assembled at the site. The Manaus facility is also the only BMW plant outside Germany dedicated exclusively to motorcycle production.
BMW Motorrad’s Global Manufacturing Network
Beyond Brazil, BMW Group also manufactures motorcycles in Thailand at its Rayong plant. The facility assembles more than 20 BMW, MINI, and BMW Motorrad products for local markets and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
In Germany, BMW produces motorcycles, scooters, and components at its Berlin plant, which remains the company’s primary motorcycle manufacturing hub.
Premium Motorcycle Production Faces Headwinds
BMW says it remains the world’s largest producer of premium motorcycles and scooters, supported by approximately 1,300 dealers across around 100 countries.
Despite that position, 2025 proved challenging for the motorcycle division. Production declined 7.4% to 199,736 units, while sales fell 3.7% to 202,563 motorcycles and scooters.
The first half of 2026 has continued that trend, with shipments decreasing 2.9% to 102,847 motorcycles and scooters.
Investment Supports Brazilian Production Growth
The production milestone in Brazil comes after continued investment in the Manaus Plant over the past decade. BMW has expanded the facility and upgraded it with modern manufacturing equipment designed to maintain the quality standards associated with its German production operations.
Producing 150,000 motorcycles in just 10 years represents a significant achievement for the Brazilian facility, reinforcing its role within BMW Motorrad’s global manufacturing network.
