BMW South Africa has affirmed its dedication to the country by announcing a R2.2 billion (€198 million) investment in its existing Rosslyn plant north of Pretoria. Most of the money will enable the plant to increase its annual production capacity from the current 60 000 units to 87 000 units. The rest will be used to strengthen the company’s own supplier network.
All this of course point to one thing; that BMW is getting ready for something major. The Rosslyn plant has been manufacturing the 3 Series for about ten years now. Markets supplied besides our own are the USA, Japan, Singapore and Australia among others. The next-generation 3 Series is due out in 2011 so logic follows that the country will continue building this iconic car. Interestingly the world markets are currently depressed due to the recession so either BMW knows something we don’t or the 3 won’t be the only car coming out of that plant.
“The BMW Group has never shied away from making decisions for the future in spite of the current tough conditions the motor industry is facing,” explains BMW South Africa Managing Director, Bodo Donauer. “By making an announcement of this magnitude during the worst known crisis the automotive industry has faced in recent times, we not only send a positive message to our staff about the long-term sustainability of BMW South Africa, but also a positive message about the future of South Africa as a whole.”
Another trend-bucking move by Bavaria is that while a number of other major automakers are retrenching, BMW is not. So jobs are protected and growth is envisaged.
The Minister of the Department of Trade and Industry Rob Davies, the Premier of Gauteng Nomvula Mokonyane and Tshwane City mayor Dr Gwen Ramokgopa were all praiseworthy of the investment and thanked BMW for its commitment.
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