300 000th X3 rolls off assembly line and the luxury automaker has unveiled a new logo. The new logo is an Ndebele art-inspired emblem.
BMW South Africa is celebrating 50 years since the opening of its Rosslyn plant in March 1973, which marked the establishment of the first BMW production site outside Germany. Over the past five decades, the Rosslyn plant has produced more than 1.6 million cars and has proven to be an essential member of the marque’s global production network.
Milan Nedeljković, member of the board of BMW AG for production and chairman of the board of management, BMW Group South Africa, expressed admiration for the Rosslyn plant, saying: “As the first plant outside Germany, the emotional link to South Africa is strong. It was our first step to internationalise BMW.”
More than 1.6 million cars have been produced at the Rosslyn plant, which recently saw the 300 000th BMW X3 rolling off its assembly line
BMW South Africa’s Rosslyn factory, in South Africa, started operations in March 1973 after the German vehicle manufacturer decided to branch outside of Germany for the first time and invest in an existing multi-purpose factory that, at the time, made BMW-badged vehicles and even Willy’s Jeeps.
The plant now produces the BMW X3, which has become a popular SUV in South Africa and the rest of the world. It recently celebrated a milestone with the production of its 300 000th BMW X3. The success of the plant has allowed BMW South Africa to expand its business, which now includes a national sales company that sells and distributes BMW, Mini and BMW Motorrad, a financial services company established in 1990, and a software company servicing more than 50 countries.
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Over the years, the BMW Group has invested more than R12.6 billion into the Rosslyn production facility, demonstrating the company’s commitment to developing its operations in South Africa.
“Plant Rosslyn has over the past 50 years proven itself to be an essential member of our production network, consistently improving quality and productivity,” said Nedeljković.
“Plant Rosslyn represents a cornerstone of the BMW Group’s global production network of more than 30 sites in 15 countries. We built BMW 3 Series here for more than 30 years – a period that included the production of the iconic 333i and the cherished 325iS ‘Gusheshe’,” he said.
“BMW South Africa benefited from the successful adoption of a government-endorsed export programme from 1995 before transitioning to an ‘X’ plant in 2018.”
Over the years, the BMW Plant Rosslyn has produced iconic cars unique to South Africa. Products such as the BMW 2000 SA, BMW 745i, BMW 530 MLE, BMW 333i, as well as the BMW 325iS, have laid the basis for the typical BMW brand to become genuinely South African.
The 4.4km² plant, comprising a 3.2km² factory and 1.2km² distribution centre, has since seen investments totalling R12.6 billion since 1995, which have resulted in the local division winning the JD Power Gold Award for JD Power Initial Quality Study in 2002, and a total output of 1.6 million vehicles
The 4.4km² plant, comprising a 3.2km² factory and 1.2km² distribution centre, has since seen investments totalling R12.6 billion since 1995, which have resulted in the local division winning the JD Power Gold Award for JD Power Initial Quality Study in 2002, and a total output of 1.6 million vehicles
“As BMW South Africa celebrates this milestone, it is clear the Rosslyn plant will continue to play a critical role in the company’s global production network, with the right teams in place to direct its growth for the next 50 years.”
Since its establishment in South Africa, and in addition to BMW Plant Rosslyn, BMW South Africa’s business currently includes a national sales company that sells and distributes BMW, MINI, and BMW Motorrad, a financial services company established in 1990, and a software company (or information technology hub) servicing more than 50 countries.
