BMW SA rolls out it’s final 3-Series
February 2018 marked the month of the 3-Series in Rosslyn where the final, locally-produced 3-Series left the production line at the BMW Group Plant. The facility boasts a total production amount of 1,191,604 3-Series’, spread across five-generations of the sedan since the beginning of production at the facility in 1968. Replacing production of the 3-Series will be the all-new BMW X3 SUV.
“We look back with great pride over an extraordinary career path of the production of the five generations of the BMW 3 Series at Plant Rosslyn. Over the years, the development of our production and export programme has been the catalyst for our sustainable growth and contribution to the South African economy. With the imminent production of the new BMW X3, we remain a committed and engaged corporate citizen dedicated to the upliftment of South Africa and its people,” says Tim Abbott, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of BMW Group South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa.
BMW Group SA announced an investment of R6-billion into their Rosslyn Plant in November 2015. The investment will allow the plant to adapt their facilities toward production of the BMW X3, which will be sold locally and exported to Europe. Another R160-million was invested into the plant during October last year to speed up the facility’s production line.
The new BMW X3 was launched in South Africa in November 2017, and will be joined by its coupe-styled sibling, the new BMW X4, later this year.
The BMW 3 Series Sedan will continue its current life-cycle in South Africa, however, models will now be imported from BMW’s other production facilities, such as Munich, Regensburg, Araquari (Brazil), Chennai (India), Rayong (Thailand) and Mexico (from 2019).
“Plant Rosslyn is an important part of the BMW Group’s international production network. The success story of BMW Group South Africa continues,” concludes Hülsenberg.
