National Geographic Ultimate Factories: BMW X3 (Spartanburg) Airing November 1st - XBimmers

Jason · 10-26-2011, 10:17 AM

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

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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.

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J-boogey · 10-26-2011, 10:51 AM

niceeeee, deff will be watching this... we need more factories like this in the states to create more jobs which will stimulate the economy

mookie45 · 10-26-2011, 10:53 AM

I will be watching this too..maybe it will help in my decision of purchasing a new x3!

sukutash · 10-26-2011, 11:00 AM

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.

Cl0ud7 · 10-26-2011, 11:01 AM

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

****Taps Feet****

gitchies · 10-26-2011, 11:39 AM

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....

crashtestdummy4 · 10-26-2011, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gitchies

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

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.

M-Power111 · 10-26-2011, 12:02 PM

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.

M-Power111 · 10-26-2011, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crashtestdummy4

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

dmboone25 · 10-26-2011, 12:17 PM

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.

ppb · 10-26-2011, 12:32 PM

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

JetBlack5OC · 10-26-2011, 12:58 PM

Directv schedule says it is the Z4 episode on Nov 1st. Guess it just isn't updated yet.

MetaX · 10-26-2011, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JetBlack5OC

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.

veightkiller · 10-26-2011, 01:22 PM

I need to record this one.

Ove · 10-26-2011, 01:58 PM

Does anyone have a download link for the Z4 episode? Hopefully someone will put this episode up also when it's aired

bavarian19 · 10-26-2011, 02:06 PM

Nice!

(but isnt this the second time this plant has been featured?)

Dackelone · 10-26-2011, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ppb

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.

JSCO · 10-26-2011, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dackelone

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....

WWONG · 10-26-2011, 03:22 PM

Yeah, about that quality.....

Radioactive · 10-26-2011, 03:37 PM

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!

X3buyerScotland · 10-26-2011, 03:46 PM

Anyone know when this is on in the UK? Not finding it on schedules yet.

BMWZ4 · 10-26-2011, 06:38 PM

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

Dave

10-26-2011, 10:17 AM	#1
Jason Administrator Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: IoT Posts: 13,940 iTrader: (0)	National Geographic Ultimate Factories: BMW X3 (Spartanburg) Airing November 1st BIMMERPOST NEWS National Geographic Ultimate Factories: BMW X3 (Spartanburg) Airing November 1st 161 COMMENTS Tweet 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. Share this story OTHER STORIES YOU MIGHT LIKE 2014 Model Price Guides (US) for 3 Series Touring, 6 Series, M6, X1, X3, X6 and Z4 Latest BMW Emergency Vehicles to be Debuted at RETTmobil 2013 BMW X4 Concept vs X3, a Comparison Look
	Tweet

10-26-2011, 10:51 AM	#2
J-boogey Major Drives: F30 335xi Msport Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Oceanside, New York Posts: 1,250 iTrader: (1)	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

10-26-2011, 12:02 PM	#8
M-Power111 First Lieutenant Drives: Not a BMW....yet Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Clearwater, FL USA Posts: 398 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=

10-26-2011, 12:17 PM	#10
dmboone25 Brigadier General Drives: 2011 E82 N55 135i/DUC M1100EVO Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Chicago, IL & Indianapolis IN Posts: 4,016 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 E92 328i [0.00] 2007 328i [0.00]	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. __________________ Current - 2011 N55/DCT E82 135i--Lemans Blue, Gray Leather, M Sport, Premium Past BMWs: 2008 E82 135 - AW, N54, MT 2007 E92 328 - JB, N52, MT, ZSP (traded in for 135) 2007 E92 328 - JB, N52, MT (retired by a drunk driver)

10-26-2011, 06:38 PM	#22
BMWZ4 Lieutenant Drives: '11 Z4 30i & '11 X3 x28i Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Toronto Posts: 521 iTrader: (0)	Z's are built exclusively in Germany. I know, i have one. They USED to be built in SC, but not since 2008. Dave __________________ 2011 Z4 sDrive 30i; Space Grey, Coral Red Kansas, 6MT; Fully optioned & 2011 28i X3 Loaded

10-26-2011, 10:53 AM	#3
mookie45 Second Lieutenant Drives: 2010 Jet Black 328i Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Weston Posts: 269 iTrader: (0)	I will be watching this too..maybe it will help in my decision of purchasing a new x3!

10-26-2011, 11:00 AM	#4
sukutash Private Drives: 2011 335d Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Atlanta, Ga Posts: 88 iTrader: (4)	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.

10-26-2011, 11:01 AM	#5
Cl0ud7 Private First Class Drives: 2009 M3 / 2013 X3 2.8i Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Catasauqua, PA Posts: 145 iTrader: (0)	Well...They already made one for the Z4 and now the X3...Waiting on the M models now.. **Taps Feet**

10-26-2011, 11:39 AM	#6
gitchies Private Drives: bmw x5 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 86 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....

10-26-2011, 12:32 PM	#11
ppb New Member Drives: X3 28i Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Toronto Posts: 21 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

10-26-2011, 12:58 PM	#12
JetBlack5OC Captain Drives: E60&E92 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: west Posts: 983 iTrader: (0)	Directv schedule says it is the Z4 episode on Nov 1st. Guess it just isn't updated yet.

10-26-2011, 01:22 PM	#14
veightkiller Brigadier General Drives: e90 335i Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Vancouver,B.C Posts: 4,145 iTrader: (3)	I need to record this one.

10-26-2011, 01:58 PM	#15
Ove Enlisted Member Drives: '92 e36 Coupe 318is Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Narvik, Norway Posts: 35 iTrader: (0)	Does anyone have a download link for the Z4 episode? Hopefully someone will put this episode up also when it's aired

10-26-2011, 02:06 PM	#16
bavarian19 General Drives: Car Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: VA Posts: 18,658 iTrader: (22)	Nice! (but isnt this the second time this plant has been featured?)

10-26-2011, 03:22 PM	#19
WWONG Banned Drives: 2012 BMW X5 xDrive35d Join Date: May 2010 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,834 iTrader: (14)	Yeah, about that quality.....

10-26-2011, 03:37 PM	#20
Radioactive Captain Drives: '11 X3 28i '10 535i '04 325i Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 618 iTrader: (0)	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!

10-26-2011, 03:46 PM	#21
X3buyerScotland Lieutenant Drives: 3.0d SE F25 & loving it Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Scotland Posts: 464 iTrader: (0)	Anyone know when this is on in the UK? Not finding it on schedules yet.

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