BMW X3 next-generation to be built locally in South Africa!
BMW confirm that the next-generation BMW X3 will be built here in South Africa, at its Rosslyn Plant in PTA. This does however, replace 3 Series production!
After over thirty years of local production, the 3 Series will become a fully imported vehicle, as the production of this sedan will be shifted towards BMW X3 production.
While losing out on the locally produced sedan, overall this is great news for South Africa! This shift towards producing the BMW X3 locally, is expected to bring in around R6 billion worth of investment into local production.
BMW report that it is still early days and that they can’t confirm the expected production volumes. They do however state, that these locally built vehicles will be produced for export, as well as import consumption. So it seems likely that production levels will increase, or at least the value of the output should increase. BMW have not confirmed this however.
BMW SA’s MD Tim Abbott reported that he sees this as an opportunity for South Africa to increase the localisation of high value components. Promoting the manufacturing of high value goods here in South Africa, in general.
The switch from the production of the popular 3 Series – premium sedan into the BMW X3, has resulted from,
“The continuing growth of the SAV segment worldwide,”
explained BMW board member, Dr Ian Robertson.
He adds that the X-range will also be expanded upon in the near future, with an X7 model to be built in Spartanburg, USA. The American plant to also see production of the BMW X3 alongside the Rosslyn plant.
BMW has built over a million 3 Series sedans in South Africa, reaching the production of its millionth car earlier this year! The Rosslyn plant, situated near Pretoria, dates back to 1968 and has been owned by BMW AG since 1973.
Source: IOL