BMW Brilliance Plant Dadong Surpasses 3.5 Million Vehicle Production Milestone

BMW Brilliance Automotive Ltd. (BBA) has announced a significant manufacturing achievement: its Plant Dadong in Shenyang reached a cumulative production total of 3.5 million vehicles as of August 2025. A standout contributor to this milestone is the locally built BMW 5 Series, which has exceeded 2 million units in cumulative output. This accomplishment solidifies Plant Dadong's role as a cornerstone of BMW's local manufacturing prowess, showcasing two decades of technological progress since its establishment in 2003.

Key Manufacturing Innovations and Technology

The plant's success is driven by state-of-the-art manufacturing technologies designed to ensure superior quality and precision.

• AI-Driven Quality Control: The production lines at Plant Dadong operate using a fully digitalized process system supported by an advanced AI-driven platform known as AI Quality Next (AIQX). This system employs high-resolution cameras and cloud-based AI algorithms to inspect over 30 production stations, identifying defects and maintaining exceptional accuracy from order initiation through final assembly.
• Paint Quality Excellence: Premium paintwork is a hallmark of the vehicles produced. For each BMW 5 Series, more than 100,000 images are scanned to analyze surface light and shadow. AI further reviews these processes during off-hours to continuously improve quality.
• Continuous Upgrades: The facility has integrated advanced surface inspection and defect correction mechanisms, underscoring its commitment to a "zero defects" manufacturing philosophy.

Recent Plant and Investment Milestones

BMW Brilliance Automotive has demonstrated remarkable growth and strategic investment in its Shenyang production base.

• By May 2024, BBA’s Shenyang plants collectively achieved a cumulative production of 6 million vehicles. Plant Dadong produced the landmark vehicle—a fully electric BMW i5. This reflects an acceleration of 1 million vehicles produced in just 15 months.
• BMW is investing 20 billion RMB (approximately US$2.67 billion) to modernize its Shenyang production facilities. This upgrade is in preparation for the local assembly of the Neue Klasse platform, scheduled to begin in 2026.

BMW 5 Series at Plant Dadong

The BMW 5 Series continues to be the flagship executive sedan manufactured at Plant Dadong, acclaimed for its dynamic performance and luxury features, which have helped it maintain a leading position in China’s premium automotive segment.

• The 3.5 millionth vehicle produced at the plant was a BMW 5 Series Shadow Edition, also referred to as the "Black Warrior".
• Buyers can choose from nine standard color finishes, including "Tanzanite Blue", and five customizable shades.

Market Context and Challenges

Despite these achievements, BBA has faced market headwinds. In 2024, the company’s sales in China declined by 15% year-on-year to 603,800 units, while exports dropped 37.3% to 21,300 units. This downturn is attributed to intensifying competition in the new energy vehicle sector and a shrinking internal combustion engine market.

In response, BMW is emphasizing its iFACTORY strategy, which focuses on lean, green, and digital production methodologies. This approach aims to uphold BMW’s luxury brand reputation and navigate ongoing market volatility.

Leadership and Future Orientation

Birgit Böhm-Wannenwetsch was appointed CEO of BMW Brilliance Automotive on August 1, 2025. Under her leadership, the Shenyang production network—comprising Plant Dadong and Plant Tiexi—is targeting total output of 5 million units within the year. This goal is part of BMW’s broader effort to strengthen its competitive edge and prepare for future market demands.

Additional Developments

Further reinforcing its commitment to innovation, BMW is constructing a high-voltage battery assembly plant in Shenyang with an investment of 10 billion RMB (roughly US$1.33 billion). This facility will support the production of upcoming Neue Klasse vehicles, with pre-series production expected to commence by the end of 2024.

Summary Table: BMW Brilliance Automotive Production Milestones

In summary, Plant Dadong’s recent production milestone not only celebrates a historic manufacturing achievement but also highlights BMW’s ongoing modernization efforts. These initiatives are crucial as the company adapts to evolving competition and consumer expectations in the Chinese and global automotive markets.