The 2nd part of this article says that BMW has not decided about expanding the size of the plant. However, I was talking to a supplier of mine, Siemens, and a sales rep told me that Siemens just signed a huge agreement to provide all of the automation systems for a new facility in Spatanburg....
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From AutoWeek:
BMW AG plans to convert its U.S. plant to assemble the X5 SUV and Z4 roadster on one line - and make it easier to add a third model.
The conversion prepares BMW's assembly plant in Spartanburg, S.C., for a larger role. BMW executives won't indicate which nameplate they want to add, but pressure is mounting to move production of the X3 SUV from Europe.
Late this year the plant will consolidate its two assembly lines into one. BMW says the new line will be flexible enough to build the X5, the Z4 and a third model.
That would be a remarkable achievement for BMW, since the X5 - a large SUV - is not built on the same platform as the Z4, a small roadster.
Officials say no decision has been reached on a future model. Norbert Reithofer, BMW's global production chief, has said he would like to see the next-generation X3 built in Spartanburg. That would help BMW compete if the euro continues to strengthen against the dollar.
A weak dollar could lead BMW to invest in its Spartanburg plant, says Tom Purves, CEO of the U.S. sales subsidiary BMW of North America LLC.
"The U.S. is our largest market," Purves said. "If we want it to continue to be an important market, we will do what we did in the first currency crisis in the 1990s, which is to invest more in the United States and build more cars here."
Near capacity
Spartanburg has the capacity to produce 150,000 vehicles annually. Last year it built almost that many: 144,759. This year's changes won't affect that capacity. Any capacity increase would require decisions about investment and additional hiring there.
BMW has contemplated an expansion of Spartanburg's lineup for at least three years. It has taken such preliminary steps as widening its highway access and getting approval for state incentives.
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From AutoWeek:
BMW AG plans to convert its U.S. plant to assemble the X5 SUV and Z4 roadster on one line - and make it easier to add a third model.
The conversion prepares BMW's assembly plant in Spartanburg, S.C., for a larger role. BMW executives won't indicate which nameplate they want to add, but pressure is mounting to move production of the X3 SUV from Europe.
Late this year the plant will consolidate its two assembly lines into one. BMW says the new line will be flexible enough to build the X5, the Z4 and a third model.
That would be a remarkable achievement for BMW, since the X5 - a large SUV - is not built on the same platform as the Z4, a small roadster.
Officials say no decision has been reached on a future model. Norbert Reithofer, BMW's global production chief, has said he would like to see the next-generation X3 built in Spartanburg. That would help BMW compete if the euro continues to strengthen against the dollar.
A weak dollar could lead BMW to invest in its Spartanburg plant, says Tom Purves, CEO of the U.S. sales subsidiary BMW of North America LLC.
"The U.S. is our largest market," Purves said. "If we want it to continue to be an important market, we will do what we did in the first currency crisis in the 1990s, which is to invest more in the United States and build more cars here."
Near capacity
Spartanburg has the capacity to produce 150,000 vehicles annually. Last year it built almost that many: 144,759. This year's changes won't affect that capacity. Any capacity increase would require decisions about investment and additional hiring there.
BMW has contemplated an expansion of Spartanburg's lineup for at least three years. It has taken such preliminary steps as widening its highway access and getting approval for state incentives.
