BMW Group South Africa has confirmed that the first batch of all-new X3 units will be imported before local production of the compact luxury crossover kicks off at Plant Rosslyn in Pretoria.
Earlier this week, the Munich-based automaker revealed the new G01-generation X3 at Plant Spartanburg in South Carolina, the largest manufacturing facility in the group’s global production network and the plant that will be responsible for the bulk of X3 production.
Some time in the first half of 2018, however, Plant Rosslyn here in South Africa will switch from building the 3 Series sedan to producing the new X3. And, since the new model is scheduled to launch locally in November 2017, BMW SA has confirmed that “the first batch of cars between November and [the] first quarter of 2018 will be [imported] from Spartanburg”.
BMW SA also told CARmag.co.za that the “state-of-the-art” plant in Pretoria has been designed for a “potential maximum capacity of 71 000 units” a year, essentially “future-proofing the facility to meet potential market fluctuations”.
No word yet on exactly when the final SA-built 3 Series will roll off the line at Rosslyn.
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