BMW to produce engines in China in 2012

• Source: Global Times
• [14:21 January 14 2011]
• Comments

BMW 650i

BMW will start to produce engines in China from 2012 in an attempt to accelerate the company's localization process, Ian Roberston, director of BMW Automobile Company said at the 2011 North American International Auto Show, which is being held from January 10 to 23.

A new model will also be introduced by then.

According to Roberston, the engines will be manufactured at a new factory established by BMW's joint venture (JV) in China —BMW Brilliance Automotive Ltd. in 2010 and will be mainly for BMW's Chinese offspring.

In June 2010, BMW Brilliance rolled in an investment of 5 billion yuan ($ 757 million) in Shenyang, Liaoning Province, to build the JV's second factory, which is planned for a production capacity of 100,000 units in the beginning. The factory will go into operation in 2012.

However, Roberston did not reveal detailed information on the engines nor on the new model.

"We believe the Chinese auto market will keep on fast track in the next two years," he added.

BMW 3 Series and 5 Series have been manufactured in China and BMW X1 will also be produced in the country in the near future.