BMW has decided to build a second plant in North America
- BMW imports from Europe to the U.S. reach between 200 000 and 300 000 cars each year (300 000 in 2013) and this volume could rise up to 350 000 over the next two years. Among this total, the Series 3 represent between 100 000 and 150 000 imports each year (120 000 in 2013).
- The position of BMW in the USA is expected to strengthen in coming years, with sales growth due to a broadening of its range. However, BMW plants in Europe and the U.S. are close to saturation and there has been no mentioning yet of importing to the USA, BMW vehicles from Chinese plants. Thus the German carmaker has decided to build a new plant in North America dedicated to the 3-Series sold in this region which will be effective in 2016.
- Situated in Mexico, the plant will have a capacity of 150 000 units per year. The Bavarian manufacturer has the same strategy as Mercedes that has decided to produce its new C-Class at its U.S. plant in Tuscaloosa (Alabama), and as Audi that now produces the Q5 in Mexico, for the needs of U.S. customers but also for European customers. In addition, BMW will expand its plant in Spartanburg (South Carolina). The production capacity of the U.S. plant will reach 450 000 units per year by 2016, in order to produce the SUVs X3, X4, X5, X6 and a future X7.
