[Jason]

BIMMERPOST NEWS

BMW X4 Officially Announced With 900 Million USD Investment in Spartanburg

59
COMMENTS

Tweet

BMW Group expands U.S. plant in South Carolina

12.01.2012

- Company to invest a further USD 900 million
- Around 300 new jobs for Spartanburg
- Two-millionth vehicle rolls off the assembly line
- Arndt announces X-model family expansion with BMW X4


Spartanburg/Munich. The BMW Group is expanding capacity at its U.S. plant in Spartanburg. “We plan to invest over the next three years nearly USD 900 million in the Spartanburg plant by 2014. This will create 300 new jobs by the end of this year. This will allow us to produce 350,000 units in Spartanburg in the mid term,” says Frank-Peter Arndt, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible for Production, in Spartanburg on Thursday. The BMW Group already invested USD 750 million in the expansion of the plant for production of the new BMW X3 between 2008 and 2010.

“This is in response to rising global demand for our BMW X models and the expansion of the BMW X family to include the BMW X4,” Arndt explains at a ceremony to celebrate production of the two-millionth vehicle at the BMW plant in South Carolina since 1994. The move will bring the BMW Group’s total investment in South Carolina to nearly USD six billion.

The Governor of the State of South Carolina, Nikki Haley, speaks at the ceremony, saying: “BMW has once again provided tremendous evidence that South Carolina is a blueprint for significant economic development success. The partnership between this company and our State is an enduring example of how to attract, retain and grow business to stimulate perpetual job creation.”

Production in Spartanburg reached new high in 2011

Last year, the BMW plant in Spartanburg produced 276,065 vehicles for more than 130 markets around the world, representing an increase of 73% over the previous year. The BMW X3 also played a major role in this positive development. Global sales of this highly-successful model rose 156% in 2011 to reach a total of 117,944 vehicles.

More than 70% of the vehicles produced in Spartanburg (192,813) were exported, making the BMW Group the largest automotive exporter to the non-NAFTA countries.

Four expansions already at U.S. plant

Since it opened in 1994, the BMW plant in Spartanburg has already undergone four expansions and produced six different BMW models (318i, Z3, Z4, X5, X6, X3) and their variants. Employment has grown from 500 initially to more than 7,000 today.

Clean production

BMW’s Spartanburg plant is state-of-the-art in terms of environmental protection. Advanced production processes have made vehicle production even more environmentally-compatible: Over the past five years, it was possible to lower energy consumption by 48%, halve water consumption, reduce CO2 emissions by 44% and waste by 65% by car. In 2010, for example, the Spartanburg plant generated almost 62 million kilowatt hours of electricity from a methane gas energy centre located on the grounds of the facility and supplied by a local landfill. This accounts for over 37% of the entire plant’s total electrical demand.

USA largest market for BMW Group in 2011

The BMW Group is the leading manufacturer of premium automobiles in the U.S., the world’s largest market for premium automobiles. Last year, the BMW Group increased sales of its BMW and MINI brand vehicles in the U.S. by almost 15% to reach a total of 305,418 vehicles. The American market was therefore the largest market for the BMW Group in 2011.

* Note: The image above is only a render of the BMW X4

[Diver]

It's kind of amazing that we are seeing a whole new class of vehicles spawned from the X6. Accura has jumped into this space as well. Nice of BMW to return some of the money to the USA.

[JasonCSU]

I figured an X4 would show up at some point, but I found the energy use portion of the announcement the most interesting. I've read about projects wanting to harness the methane given off by landfills, but this is the first I've heard of the process actually in use. Nice work by the plant engineers and designers.

[SCOTT26]

The X4 will be a stunning addition to the BMW X family and a centre point for the X line manufacturing base of Spartanburg.

The investment will also help with the upcoming BMW X5 (F15) and BMW X6 (F16) Which will also be assembled alongside the BMW X3 (F25) BMW X3M (F25M) and the BMW X4.

By 2016 BMW aim to have a family of X Sport Activity Coupe vehicles mirrored by the standard X Sport Activity Vehicles from X1-X6.

[WilliCO]

That's just a render, but I have to say that the proportions work better than they do on the X6. It will be interesting to see what this vehicle looks like.

It's also hard to imagine this car and an F30 GT existing at the same time in the lineup, if indeed they aren't the same car.

[Raja Ventureshield]

i don't like this market segment. kinda wierd if you ask me. but there must be enuff demand hence people are buying it.

[FstopBMW]

Whats the price point on the X4? I love the shape of the X6 so if its anything similar this will definitely be something of interest for alot of people

[DASHOCKER]

I'm liking this x4. Sign me up bmw.

[aajami]

I don't really understand the market segment that the X6 (and now X4) take up, but I do love those cars' styling, so bring it on. The X6, Range Rover Evoque, Infiniti FX, and Acura ZDX are some sexy looking beasts -- can't wait to see what the X4 and X2 look like.

[mkoesel]

I wonder if they plan to expand again to handle future F2x X1 and X2 models? An increase in capacity of 75k more units is a lot, but not nearly enough to handle global production for those two new models on top the new X4 and all of the existing X models as well.

[3s-a-charm]

So many choices with the new models... sigh. X4 or 6 series Gran Coupe with x-drive... or both?

[Mako]

My wife loves the X6 but it was too expensive, we just bought a X3 (which I love the styling of), I really like the render look of the X4 and I am sure it will be pretty close to actual production, BUT I too don't understand the point of having so many similar cars! I am not saying they shouldn't have created the X6 and X4, but don't they sort of take up the same segment as the Wagon and GT versions? space wise what is the difference between a X6, 5GT, 5 Wagon? And going down to the 3 series I bet its even less, in fact I wouldn't be shocked if a 3 Wagon offered more space than the X4, And as another person said I can't see the point of a 3GT if there is an X4. Or is it all about ride height and off roading, which you know so many BMW drivers do,

Having said all that, I am 100% for the X4, but then don't bring the 3 Wagon or GT to the States, and price the X4 the same as the X3 (since its certainly not bigger and will have the same engines) and don't price gauge like the X6, I don't think many people will pay $5K+ extra for an X4 over an X3, because at that point you are in X5 pricing for a much smaller car...

[Kief]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

BMW X3M (F25M)

Scott any news on the F25M?

[bbg2d]

Waiting with baited breath for the new X4!

[AMB]

I love how they shove this "Sport Activity Vehicle" crap down our throats but won't give us the 1-series hatch or a proper 5-series Touring.

Dilution of a brand at it's worst.

[richb811]

Originally Posted by AMB

I love how they shove this "Sport Activity Vehicle" crap down our throats but won't give us the 1-series hatch or a proper 5-series Touring.

Dilution of a brand at it's worst.

There is still hope for the 5 series touring. GT sales have been slower than the E60 Touring.

Not sure how much I like the X4 that's for sure.

[szcyxzh]

X3 = Baby X5
now X4 = Baby X6

money down, more customers, good for BMW.

[zaha]

Hopefully they build a X4M

[Bavarian13]

Liking the X4 a lot. Will make for a tough choice between a new X3 and X4!

[Propagator]

Practicality of a coupe, ride height of an SUV. That's a winning combination right there. All style, no substance.

[bimmerjph]

It makes a little more sense than the X6, but the key word is a little,

[SCOTT26]

By 2014. Spartanburg will be manufacturing 3 new vehicles - The BMW X4(F26) , BMW X5(F15) and BMW X6(F16).
Spartanburg is truly the centre of excellence for BMW's "X" Line.

The X4 will also be the first BMW X model to offer a 3dr Coupe as well as a Five dr.

There is still hope for the 5 series touring. GT sales have been slower than the E60 Touring.

Not in F11. The Premium Wagon market has seen Volvo and Audi retreat aswell as BMW. Mercedes-Benz's advantage of the E-Klasse is not as successful as the new ML-Klasse is available.
BMW are not going to reverse federalizing the car .

The 3er Touring was already federalized. So that is coming to North America.

The 5er GT in it's first year of sales eclipsed two years worth of E61 Tourings sold in the US.