Shanghai (ZXZC)- BMW Brilliance Automotive (BBA) recently kicked off the expansion of its R&D hub's second phases as BMW Group is forging ahead with its localization strategy and NEV push in China.

The expansion project is designed to upgrade the equipment at the experiment center and test workshop, and is set to be finished around 2022. Upon the completion, the revamped facilities will help the automaker improve its development and verification capabilities involving multiple links like power battery, electronics and mechanical design, so as to technically support the mass production of BMW’s expanding NEV product lineup for the world's biggest auto market.

(Photo source: BMW China's WeChat account)

Located in Tiexi, Shenyang, BBA's R&D hub was put into operation in 2013. It is BMW's biggest R&D base outside Germany, and will focus on the development of NEVs and Chinese-spec automotive modules, the integration and authentication of complete vehicles, and the certification of other products, according to a senior executive at the R&D center.

As an important part of BMW's electrification efforts in China, the iX3 BEV is expected to be put into volume production in Shenyang plant in the third quarter of the year. Targeting the global market, the China-built vehicles will be not only sold in domestic market, but also exported to Europe and the U.S.

Global automakers are speeding up the introduction of all-electric models into China. Premium brands like Audi, Mercedes-Benz and Tesla have all launched their pure electric models in the country.  Toyota, which is renowned for its hybrid and fuel cell vehicles and technologies, put the C-HR EV, its first mass-produced BEV model, onto the market on April 22. Besides, FAW-Toyota’s IZOA EV and the Lexus-branded UX 300e are also to hit the market in late April.