BY CHRISTOPH RAUWALD
Bloomberg News
thenews.com.mx
FRANKFURT, Germany – BMW is considering building engines in North America for the first time and expanding vehicle production in the region to capitalize on growing demand, three people familiar with the matter said.
The world’s biggest maker of luxury cars may establish a motor factory in Mexico or the U.S., and could potentially decide on the project in 2014, according to the people, who asked not to be identified.
The maker of the $49,500 5-Series sedan has focused on developing fuel-efficient powertrains since Chief Executive Officer Norbert Reithofer took the helm in 2006. Munich-based BMW has kept tight control of the technology, only starting production of motors outside Europe last year with 4-cylinder engines made in Shenyang, China, to supply BMW’s local car plants in Dadong and Tiexi.
BMW set up its only North American factory in Spartanburg, S.C., in 1994. The site produces all of the German company’s X3, X5 and X6 sport-utility vehicles, and it’s one of the U.S.’s main auto exporters.
BMW may expand vehicle-making in the region beyond a new model already announced for next year, the people said.
BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi are adding production in North America to take advantage of sales-growth potential that contrasts with stagnating demand in their home market of Europe. BMW’s 11-month U.S. sales, including the Mini brand, rose 9.2 percent to 331,801 cars. Deliveries at Daimler’s Mercedes and Smart vehicles climbed 12 percent, while sales at Audi increased 13 percent.
No comments:
Post a Comment