BMW Group Starts Gen6 Battery Production in Shenyang

BMW Group has begun series production of its sixth-generation high-voltage batteries at its plant in Shenyang, China. The facility is now the third location in BMW’s global Gen6 battery production network, following sites in Debrecen, Hungary, and Irlbach-Straßkirchen, Germany. The batteries will power future all-electric Neue Klasse models built in China.

The new Gen6 battery technology is designed to deliver significant improvements for electric vehicle customers. Its newly developed cylindrical cells provide more than 20 percent higher energy density, while charging speed and driving range can increase by up to 30 percent compared with the previous generation.

A key feature of the battery is BMW’s cell-to-pack design. Instead of placing the cells into separate modules, the cells are integrated directly into the battery housing. This makes better use of available space and allows the battery to be adapted more flexibly to different vehicle models. The battery also includes BMW’s Energy Master, a central control unit that manages important power supply and battery functions.

BMW is following a “local for local” production strategy by manufacturing batteries close to the vehicle plants they will supply. This approach helps shorten transport routes, improve supply-chain resilience and increase production efficiency. Additional Gen6 battery assembly facilities in the United States and Mexico are expected to begin production in the coming months.

The Shenyang launch marks an important step in BMW Group’s plan to expand its electric vehicle manufacturing capabilities worldwide. By combining advanced battery technology with digital quality controls and local production, BMW aims to support the global rollout of its Neue Klasse electric vehicles.

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