Munich / Spartanburg. Production of the first
pre-production models of the new BMW X7 Sports Activity Vehicle has
commenced at the BMW Group Spartanburg plant, USA. So the countdown
has started for the final twelve months leading up to the presentation
of the production car at the end of 2018. Prior to this, the vehicle
will undergo various tests under partially extreme conditions.
Knudt Flor, head of the BMW Group Spartanburg plant: “We are proud to
produce the BMW X7 here in Spartanburg, the home of our X models. This
is a very special vehicle and our employees are looking forward to yet
a further member of the X family. Together with the BMW X7, a total of
five BMW X models will be exported from Spartanburg to all four
corners of the globe.”
Camouflage wrap conceals final look.
At the plant, the
production of pre-series models serves to secure and optimise future
series production. Consequently, BMW X7 pre-production models already
use the same assembly line as the BMW X5 and BMW X6 production models.
An especially trained team realises the series production process for
new vehicle models at the plant and qualifies employees for future
series production.
The pre-production models built at the BMW Group Spartanburg plant
are handed over to development department specialists, who require
them for homologation, registration as well as for diverse testing
purposes such as endurance tests and test drives under extreme
conditions in the desert regions of Death Valley or on the ice and
snow covered slopes of Scandinavia.
The pre-production model is fitted with its camouflage wrap while
still at the plant. The conspicuous striped patterns are designed to
help conceal the new SAV’s final look as far as possible.
Fifth series from the BMW Group Spartanburg plant.
In Spartanburg, the BMW Group produces BMW X models for
the USA and the global market.
With record production figures of
more than 411,000 units in 2016, Spartanburg is currently the BMW
Group’s largest plant worldwide. Around 70 percent of the vehicles
produced in Spartanburg are exported to 140 countries throughout the
world. According to the US Ministry of Trade, the BMW Group is
therefore the largest vehicle exporter in the USA measured in export
value. Maximum annual production capacity stands at around 450,000 vehicles.
The BMW Group Spartanburg plant employs more than 9,000 people; a
further 1,000 jobs are to be added by the year 2021. Each day, 1,400
BMW X3, X4, X5 and X6 models come off the assembly line at the
Spartanburg plant; these will be complemented by a fifth series, the
BMW X7, for which the Spartanburg plant is currently preparing.
To date, the BMW Group has invested eight billion US dollars in the
production location and has built around 3.9 million vehicles since
being taken into operation on 8 September 1994.
*Due to the pre-series vehicle status, technical details like fuel
consumption, CO2 emissions, etc. will be communicated later next year.
In the event of enquiries please contact:
Christophe Koenig, Media Relations Manager BMW X Models
Phone:
+49-89-382-56097,
Fax:
+49-89-382-20626
E-Mail: Christophe.Koenig@bmw.de
Sandra Schillmoeller, Communications BMW Group Production Network
Phone:
+49-89-382-12225,
Fax:
+49-89-382-25878
E-Mail: Sandra.Schillmoeller@bmw.de
Internet: www.press.bmw.de
E-Mail: presse@bmw.de
The BMW Group
With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW
Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and
motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services.
As a global company, the BMW Group operates 31 production and assembly
facilities in 14 countries and has a global sales network in more than
140 countries.
In 2016, the BMW Group sold approximately 2.367 million cars and
145,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax was approximately
€ 9.67 billion on revenues amounting to € 94.16 billion. As of 31
December 2016, the BMW Group had a workforce of 124,729 employees.
The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term
thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established
ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain,
comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to
conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy.
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BMWGroup
Twitter: http://twitter.com/BMWGroup
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/BMWGroupview
Google+: http://googleplus.bmwgroup.co