BMW M Marks 1,000,000 Cars as Munich Factory Turns EV

The one-millionth BMW M rolled off the companys Munich line this week: a G80 M3 Competition in Fire Orange, marking a symbolic milestone as the century-old Munich plant shifts toward full electric production.

BMW M celebrated the milestone at its main Munich plant, which was founded in 1922, as the brand prepares to bring the first all-electric M3 into series production from the same factory. The choice of a G80 M3 Competition to mark the occasion is deliberate: this year also marks the 40th anniversary of the original M3s introduction.

The car that marked the milestone

The one-millionth M is a standard-fare performance model on the surface: an M3 Competition equipped with BMWs xDrive all-wheel-drive system and powered by the S58 3.0-litre inline-six twin-turbo engine rated at 530 hp. BMWs M division described the car as a fitting tribute to its heritage as it moves toward electrified production.

Electrification and what BMW has confirmed

BMW says the Munich plant will be converted to produce only electric cars, and the first all-electric M — developed on BMWs Neue Klasse architecture — will be built there. BMW has confirmed that this electric M3 will be the second Neue Klasse product to come off the Munich line after the new i3 sedan, though full technical details remain unpublished.

While BMW has committed to electrification at Munich, the company is not abandoning internal combustion immediately. Frank van Meel, head of the M division, has confirmed that the next-generation petrol M3 will retain its popular inline-six engine. Production of the gasoline-powered successor is likely to be assigned to the Dingolfing plant, though BMW has not formally confirmed that allocation.

Speculation around the electric M3 continues. Rumors place peak output in the 800 to 900 hp range, which would make it the most powerful road car in Ms history if accurate. BMW has confirmed some of the car’s electric-specific features, including the use of four separate electric motors, a system to simulate gear shifts, and a bespoke new M sound tailored for the electric model.

For North America, BMW has announced that 2027 will be the final model year for the current sixth-generation M3. As a regional farewell, BMW plans to offer a special M3 CS Handschalter edition exclusively for that market.

The one-millionth production tally is a notable landmark for BMWs M division as it enters a new era of powertrains, even as the business preserves its petrol lineage for fans of traditional engines.