BMW X3 Forum
BMW X3 Forum
Welcome to the ultimate BMW X3 community.
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      10-26-2011, 10:17 AM   #1
Jason
Administrator
Jason's Avatar
United_States
40314
Rep
21,232
Posts

Drives: F80 M3
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: USA

iTrader: (0)

Thumbs up National Geographic Ultimate Factories: BMW X3 (Spartanburg) Airing November 1st

BIMMERPOST NEWS
National Geographic Ultimate Factories: BMW X3 (Spartanburg) Airing November 1st
161
COMMENTS
Name:  x3.jpg
Views: 11379
Size:  185.7 KB

National Geographic Channel to Feature BMW's South Carolina Plant in Documentary, Ultimate Factories: BMW X3

26.10.2011

Spartanburg, S.C. – October 26, 2011…BMW announced today that the National Geographic Channel (NGC) will air an hour-long documentary on the making of the BMW X3 Sports Activity Vehicle as part of the popular Ultimate Factories series.

Premiering Tuesday, November 1, 2011 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT on National Geographic Channel, Ultimate Factories: BMW X3 will be the second time NGC has featured a BMW built exclusively in South Carolina. In 2007, BMW’s Z4 Roadster, also built at the South Carolina factory until 2008, was featured on Ultimate Factories

National Geographic Channel spent almost two weeks at the BMW factory in early June producing and filming the new program. “Once again, BMW was very pleased to welcome the National Geographic Channel into our plant. We are proud to show people all over the world the quality and craftsmanship of BMW X3, X5 and X6, built exclusively for over 130 markets around the globe," said Josef Kerscher, President, BMW Manufacturing.

Currently, the new BMW X3, which began production in South Carolina in September 2010 and went on sale in the U.S. in early 2011, has become a bestseller for the company ― with nearly 80,000 vehicles sold globally in 2011.

In 2008, BMW announced a $750 million investment in its South Carolina operation to expand the factory by 1.5 million square feet to build the new BMW X3. The company is projecting over 270,000 BMWs will be produced in South Carolina in 2011.

Appreciate 0
      10-26-2011, 10:51 AM   #2
J-boogey
Major
J-boogey's Avatar
United_States
70
Rep
1,339
Posts

Drives: F30 335xi Msport
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Oceanside, New York

iTrader: (3)

niceeeee, deff will be watching this... we need more factories like this in the states to create more jobs which will stimulate the economy
__________________
2013 F30 335i xdrive | Estoril Blue | Black Dakota Leather | Aluminum Hexagon trim | M-Sport | Cold weather | DHP | Premium package | Tech package | Harmon Kardon | PDC | Rearview Cam | IND Painted reflectors | BMW performance grills | JB4 stage 2 | ER downpipe | BMS Intake | H&R sport springs
Appreciate 0
      10-26-2011, 10:53 AM   #3
mookie45
Major
mookie45's Avatar
769
Rep
1,271
Posts

Drives: 2017 AW 340i M-Sport
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Brickell

iTrader: (4)

I will be watching this too..maybe it will help in my decision of purchasing a new x3!
Appreciate 0
      10-26-2011, 11:00 AM   #4
sukutash
First Lieutenant
sukutash's Avatar
No_Country
66
Rep
361
Posts

Drives: 2011 335d, 2020 M2C
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Ft Worth

iTrader: (7)

Garage List
I'll be watching the show. On another note, I don't think I'd consider buying a US built BMW especially if they are union. I've worked/ currently work, with union members and quite frankly I'm not the slightest impressed with the quality of the product nor the work ethic in union environments. And if not union I'd still be very skeptical.
Appreciate 0
      10-26-2011, 11:01 AM   #5
Cl0ud7
Second Lieutenant
United_States
72
Rep
251
Posts

Drives: 2018 F80 M3 ZCP
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Catasauqua, PA

iTrader: (0)

Well...They already made one for the Z4 and now the X3...Waiting on the M models now..


****Taps Feet****
Appreciate 0
      10-26-2011, 11:39 AM   #6
gitchies
Private
2
Rep
86
Posts

Drives: bmw x5
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Ontario, Canada

iTrader: (2)

interesting about unions or not....i hate unions.....deal with them alot for trade shows...just robbery and then they wonder why jobs are lost....
Appreciate 0
      10-26-2011, 12:00 PM   #7
crashtestdummy4
New Member
United_States
4
Rep
14
Posts

Drives: 2012 Acura TSX w/TECH
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Massachusetts

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by gitchies View Post
interesting about unions or not....i hate unions.....deal with them alot for trade shows...just robbery and then they wonder why jobs are lost....
Quote:
Originally Posted by sukutash View Post
I'll be watching the show. On another note, I don't think I'd consider buying a US built BMW especially if they are union. I've worked/ currently work, with union members and quite frankly I'm not the slightest impressed with the quality of the product nor the work ethic in union environments. And if not union I'd still be very skeptical.
I used to work at the Spartanburg plant and am very excited to see this special! The plant is non-union as is the entire state of South Carolina. This is one of the major reasons Boeing just built a plant to construct their 787 Dreamliner in Charleston, SC rather than in Washington where there main HQ is, it certainly makes for a much better work environment.
__________________
2012 Acura TSX / Graphite Luster / Tech Package
2008 BMW 335i coupe / Montego Blue / 6MT / Sports Package / CPO (Traded in w/56k miles, car just had too many problems)
1995 BMW 325is / Hellrot / 5 MT (Sold w/145k miles)
Appreciate 0
      10-26-2011, 12:02 PM   #8
M-Power111
First Lieutenant
M-Power111's Avatar
United_States
3
Rep
398
Posts

Drives: Not a BMW....yet
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Clearwater, FL USA

iTrader: (0)

yes i will DVR this for sure, im skeptical myself about american built BMWs, the Z4 seems like it turned out great so we'll see. i doubt BMW would let their name get tarnished by bad manufacturing either way.
__________________

BMW=
Appreciate 0
      10-26-2011, 12:04 PM   #9
M-Power111
First Lieutenant
M-Power111's Avatar
United_States
3
Rep
398
Posts

Drives: Not a BMW....yet
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Clearwater, FL USA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by crashtestdummy4 View Post
I used to work at the Spartanburg plant and am very excited to see this special! The plant is non-union as is the entire state of South Carolina. This is one of the major reasons Boeing just built a plant to construct their 787 Dreamliner in Charleston, SC rather than in Washington where there main HQ is, it certainly makes for a much better work environment.
they are building the 787 in SC?!?!

awesome
__________________

BMW=
Appreciate 0
      10-26-2011, 12:17 PM   #10
dmboone25
Lieutenant General
dmboone25's Avatar
4971
Rep
10,200
Posts

Drives: 2024 Golf R / 2022 718 Spyder
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Dallas, TX

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2007 E92 328i  [10.00]
2007 328i  [10.00]
I have been to the SC plant...it is really cool and the people there were so nice to my dad and I. We had a great time.
__________________
Past rides: 2016 981 BGTS, 2020 MINI JCW, 2017 F80, 2015 981 CS, 2014 F22 235, 2011 E82 135, 2008 E82 135, 2007 E92 328, 2007 E92 328 (My lady drives an OG M2. So does my dad)
Appreciate 0
      10-26-2011, 12:32 PM   #11
ppb
New Member
Canada
3
Rep
21
Posts

Drives: X3 28i
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (0)

Do you really have a choice in NA with X3 where you want it built? If it was Mexico or Brazil I'd complain but I'm hopping NA built is just as good as German built.

Regarding unions...they kind of lost their initial point nowdays. I liked what they used to stand for but now I'm not a fan of them at all...they should be abolished or at least controlled.

If I don't forget will definitely be watching it with hubby...afterall they did a great job on our X3
Appreciate 0
      10-26-2011, 12:58 PM   #12
M3WC
Brigadier General
3639
Rep
3,241
Posts

Drives: BMW
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: ...location...location

iTrader: (0)

Directv schedule says it is the Z4 episode on Nov 1st. Guess it just isn't updated yet.
Appreciate 0
      10-26-2011, 01:07 PM   #13
MetaX
Second Lieutenant
105
Rep
252
Posts

Drives: 2022 X3MC
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: San Francisco

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by JetBlack5OC View Post
Directv schedule says it is the Z4 episode on Nov 1st. Guess it just isn't updated yet.
Check to see if there are other times listed for 11/1. When I checked my Xfinity/Comcast listing, there were a whole slew of "Ultimate Factories" episodes scheduled. I think that NGC is running some sort of Ultimate Factories marathon leading up to the season premier (which is the X3 episode) at 10p PST.
Appreciate 0
      10-26-2011, 01:22 PM   #14
veightkiller
Brigadier General
veightkiller's Avatar
Canada
61
Rep
4,150
Posts

Drives: e90 335i
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Vancouver,B.C

iTrader: (3)

I need to record this one.
Appreciate 0
      10-26-2011, 01:58 PM   #15
Ove
Private
Ove's Avatar
Norway
26
Rep
54
Posts

Drives: .
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Narvik, Norway

iTrader: (0)

Does anyone have a download link for the Z4 episode? Hopefully someone will put this episode up also when it's aired
Appreciate 0
      10-26-2011, 02:06 PM   #16
bavarian19
General
bavarian19's Avatar
United_States
516
Rep
18,858
Posts

Drives: Car
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: VA

iTrader: (23)

Nice!


(but isnt this the second time this plant has been featured?)
Appreciate 0
      10-26-2011, 03:14 PM   #17
Dackelone
European Editor
Dackelone's Avatar
Germany
10511
Rep
22,992
Posts

Drives: N54 e82
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Bayern, Germany

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by ppb View Post
Do you really have a choice in NA with X3 where you want it built? If it was Mexico or Brazil I'd complain but I'm hopping NA built is just as good as German built.

Regarding unions...they kind of lost their initial point nowdays. I liked what they used to stand for but now I'm not a fan of them at all...they should be abolished or at least controlled.

If I don't forget will definitely be watching it with hubby...afterall they did a great job on our X3

ALL X3's and Z4's are produced in BMW's SC plant. Even ones sold over here in Germany.

Just think about people who do ED on a Z4 or X3... their car travels across the Atlantic twice!! BMW really ought to offer a American Delivery for Germans who want to pick up their X or Z in SC and drive it while on vacation in the states.
Appreciate 0
      10-26-2011, 03:17 PM   #18
JSCO
Brigadier General
JSCO's Avatar
United_States
533
Rep
3,717
Posts

Drives: AMG GT
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Tampa

iTrader: (4)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dackelone View Post
ALL X3's and Z4's are produced in BMW's SC plant. Even ones sold over here in Germany.

Just think about people who do ED on a Z4 or X3... their car travels across the Atlantic twice!! BMW really ought to offer a American Delivery for Germans who want to pick up their X or Z in SC and drive it while on vacation in the states.
Thats actually a great idea...would boost tourism here in Charleston..voted most romantic city in the USA with the best breakfast spot..Harmony Grill....COME ON OVER....
Appreciate 0
      10-26-2011, 03:22 PM   #19
WWONG
Banned
United_States
109
Rep
1,830
Posts

Drives: 2012 BMW X5 xDrive35d
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Houston, TX

iTrader: (14)

Yeah, about that quality.....
Appreciate 0
      10-26-2011, 03:37 PM   #20
Radioactive
Captain
United_States
42
Rep
764
Posts

Drives: '11 X3 28i '10 535i '04 325i
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: San Diego

iTrader: (1)

I remember watching the show a few months ago. They did the Audi R8 factory and then the Porsche factory. You could eat off the floor, it was so clean and every worker was in a uniform in both factories. Then a week later or so, they did the top of the line Corvette. No comparison, the work space was not that neat and the workers were dressed in t-shirts, cut-off jeans and some dew rags. What a difference!
Appreciate 0
      10-26-2011, 03:46 PM   #21
X5plug-in
Lieutenant
72
Rep
532
Posts

Drives: BMW
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: UK

iTrader: (0)

Anyone know when this is on in the UK? Not finding it on schedules yet.
Appreciate 0
      10-26-2011, 06:38 PM   #22
BMWZ4
Major General
BMWZ4's Avatar
1904
Rep
5,097
Posts

Drives: '23 X1/'23 Allroad Progressiv
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (1)

Z's are built exclusively in Germany. I know, i have one. They USED to be built in SC, but not since 2008.

Dave
__________________
'11 Z4 30i (retired);'11 X3 28i (retired); '15 M235i Stage 1 Dinan (recalled & crushed); '16 M235i Stage 3 Dinan (retired); '15 X3 28i (retired); '14 328i (retired), 2019 X3M40i (retired); Loaded '18 X1 (retired); Loaded '20 X3MC DG, Black/Tan Merino (retired); Loaded '23 X1 Cape York green and Red/Black interior; '23 Audi A4 Allroad Progressiv
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Tags
2011 bmw x3, 2012 bmw x3, bmw national geographic, bmw ultimate factories, bmw ultimate factory, bmw ultimate factory x3, bmw x3 documetary, bmw x3 forum, bmw x3 forums, bmw x3 ultimate factory, national geographic bmw, x3 forum, x3 forums

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:46 PM.




xbimmers
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST