BMW to improve Chinese production rate, to introduce Chinese BMW’s to the world

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In a recent interview between media portal Sohu and BMW’s Ian Robertson it was reveiled that BMW have quite the plan for the Chinese market.

China is now BMW’s third largest market with sales reaching 168,998 units in 2010 for combined BMW and MINI sales, 158,489 BMW’s were sold whilst 10,509 Mini’s were cleared from dealerships across China, this was a year on year increase of 84% and 114%. BMW has also found that China is the largest market for the 7, 5 and X-series of vehicles and also the recently launched 5-series GT model.

The interview was carried out on the sidelines of the Detroit Auto Show and shows that BMW are looking to China to lift sales considerably for the group whilst sales in mature markets are just returning to their warm phase.

BMW added 35 new dealers to its network in 2010 and plans to continue expanding its dealership network into 2011, in 2012 BMW is aiming to reach a local production rate of 150,000 vehicles, but sale are expected to slow slightly in 2011 and 2012 according to Mr. Robertson. BMW’s current China production level is around 80,000 units, but the addition of a second factory will boost BMW’s production capacity to 150,000 units per year and BMW are aiming to hit 300,000 unit production capacity in the next few years.

BMW China so far produce the 3 and 5 series of cars, but Mr. Robertson expressed that the X1 will be produced in China to be more price competitive against the Audi Q5, Mr. Robertson expressed that BMW’s American factories already produce the X5, X6 and X3 models for global consumption, as does the South African factory which produces the 3 and 5 series which are sold to Japan and America, Mr. Roberson expressed that local Chinese production remains for the Chinese market, but soon that production will also be exported to other countries.

When queried by Sohu reporters regarding rumors of a stretched 3-series being introduced into China, Mr. Robertson had this to say:

I cannot confirm, but by 2012 60% of the 3-series range will produced in China. By 2012 we will have a new product, we care greatly about the Chinese market, we will have a highly attractive product to introduce into the Chinese market which has a highly attractive design.