BMW to Launch Long-Wheelbase iX3 in China by 2026, Advancing AI and Humanoid Robotics

BMW plans to begin mass production in China in 2026 of the next-generation long-wheelbase BMW iX3, based on the Neue Klasse concept. The vehicle will leverage BMW’s upgraded intelligent manufacturing system in China, integrating performance and smart technologies. In April 2026, the BMW Group will launch the “AIconic China Multi-Agent System,” a platform specifically tailored for procurement operations in China. Built on BMW’s proprietary “Gaia” AI agent platform, the system features capabilities such as accelerating procurement decisions, offering “knowledge navigation,” and providing an “8D Assistant” to enhance quality control and production efficiency. At BMW’s Shenyang production base, humanoid robots have already undergone multiple rounds of testing and validation in fundamental processes like material handling. These processes connect the four core manufacturing stages—stamping, body shop, painting, and assembly—and significantly impact overall vehicle quality. Thanks to their high precision and gentle grasping capabilities, humanoid robots will ensure reliable assembly of high-precision components for next-generation models and will gradually be deployed across more production scenarios. Additionally, BMW is empowering its supply chain with AI technology, applying artificial intelligence to quality inspections of components such as ECUs, front lighting systems, and seat systems to guarantee adherence to premium standards. In the future, the Shenyang plant will enable collaborative operations between robots and skilled technicians, with the AIconic system continuously analyzing production data to jointly support the manufacturing of the next-generation long-wheelbase BMW iX3. Currently, BMW has already deployed humanoid robots at its Leipzig plant in Germany and its Spartanburg facility in the U.S., driving a global transformation of its production system toward physical AI-driven operations.