[MINIMENC]

Don't know if this means anything, but perhaps they are gearing up for a 2nd Mini factory in the US? Seems like a lot of money.

(From the News and Observer, 9/27/02)

BMW has plans to enlarge plant

From Staff and Wire Reports


GREER, S.C. -- BMW Manufacturing plans a $400 million expansion, creating 400 additional jobs at its upstate South Carolina plant.

As part of the expansion, BMW will donate $10 million to Clemson University and the state will contribute $25 million to create an auto research graduate program at the nearby school. The state also will fund a new Interstate 85 interchange near the plant.

When BMW broke ground on the Greer plant in 1992, the company said it would invest $410 million and hire 1,900 workers within 20 years. The plant now represents a $1.9 billion investment and employs 4,400 people.

[Rob.]

It could be a new MINI factory, though I really doubt it. The Oxford plant has more than enough capacity.
The new investment could be for any of the new models BMW is planning. i.e. the Z4, X3, 1 series. My guess is the Z4 and the X3 as the 1 series is down to be produced in germany.

[MINIMENC]

Well in a selfish way, I hope it's not for Mini. ;-)

[stryder]

They're already committed and suposedly started production on the US launch Z4's at the SC plant (the only place they're made). Since the X5 is also exclusive to that plant and has proven popular, it'd make quite logical sense to make the X3 there which should prove even more popular in the US market then the X5. Besides, I doubt BMW could sell 100K MINIs a year in the US, if they're going to ramp up production, its going to be based on world demand, and then SC isn't the best geographic place anyway, besides if the car's not built in the UK it loses something.

[chiph]

I'm pretty sure that the Greer/Spartanburg plant is going to be doing the X3 and the new Z4. Doubtful they'd be doing the MINI, as it wouldn't be British then.

Chip H.

[NEMINI]

Quote:

Originally posted by chiph
I'm pretty sure that the Greer/Spartanburg plant is going to be doing the X3 and the new Z4. Doubtful they'd be doing the MINI, as it wouldn't be British then.

Chip H.

Based on that then I supposed US built BMW's aren't german cars and all those Japanese cars built in the US aren't Japanese cars.


It could make sense for BMW to split MINI production between Oxford and this new plant so as to decrease shipping times to Western US and Canada and also Japan and the Orient.

[stryder]

Quote:

Originally posted by GMINI03


Based on that then I supposed US built BMW's aren't german cars and all those Japanese cars built in the US aren't Japanese cars.

In a way they aren't. Have you ever noticed how VW ads in the US say 'German Engineered' Since VW moved nearly all production for North American cars to Mexico, they've stopped being German Cars, and now are German Engineered. Its obviously a touchy subject, but especially since the US requires the Maroney (However you spell that) Label, it clearly says where a car was assembled and where its main parts came from. This isn't to say its a bad thing that Japanese manufacturers assemble things in Ohio or US companies assemble things in Canada. It just blurs the line and makes them a global product from global companies, not a single country's product. First glance isn't always the true case, even if most consumers could care less.

[Bad Ess]

I always wanted an English car!

[bigahead]

Quote:

Doubtful they'd be doing the MINI, as it wouldn't be British then

what? and it is now, is it?

[BruceK]

Quote:

Originally posted by bigahead
what? and it is now, is it?

I certainly consider it a British car and I think that to a good number of MINI buyers throughout the world that is part of its appeal.

Sure, the new MINI is not 100% British, (it may not even be 70% British ), -- but it was designed in large part by Rover, and it's built in Oxfordshire with many UK components.

[chiph]

Quote:

Originally posted by bigahead


what? and it is now, is it?

What, did someone move Oxford to the continent?


Like others have said, it's really a global car - motor from South America, transmission & electrical from Germany, body shell & interior from the UK. But since it's a classic British design, and assembled in the UK, it's therefore an official "Brit-Car".

Sans Lucas, thankfully.

Chip H.

[slegorreta]

Another fact shouldn't be overlooked. By Jan. 1st, 2004, NAFTA brings all import/export tariffs for new cars to a 0%, which will mean that any car built in Mexico will be exported to the US at a 0% tariff.

If we consider that Mexican wages in factories (including car factories) will most probably not rise to US levels, it is highly probable that many car manufacturers will start producing cars for the US and Canada in Mexico.

It is rather obvious that this is happening already if you see that Mexico has many brands that are not sold in the US (Renault, Peugeot, Seat, etc.) and that the Mexican car consumer market is rather small...

Only time will tell on this one, but my guess is that most cars (including German engineered BMWs) below the $25,000 US price range, will be built in Mexico or elsewhere in Latin America by 2010.

Cheers!!

[AprilWhine]

Quote:

Originally posted by slegorreta
Another fact shouldn't be overlooked. By Jan. 1st, 2004, NAFTA brings all import/export tariffs for new cars to a 0%, which will mean that any car built in Mexico will be exported to the US at a 0% tariff.

If we consider that Mexican wages in factories (including car factories) will most probably not rise to US levels, it is highly probable that many car manufacturers will start producing cars for the US and Canada in Mexico.

It is rather obvious that this is happening already if you see that Mexico has many brands that are not sold in the US (Renault, Peugeot, Seat, etc.) and that the Mexican car consumer market is rather small...

Only time will tell on this one, but my guess is that most cars (including German engineered BMWs) below the $25,000 US price range, will be built in Mexico or elsewhere in Latin America by 2010.

Cheers!!

And it is a trend well underway: Hubby's Buick Rendezvous and my New Beetle were both built in Mexico.

[goldmbr]

Already said but Z4 and X3 is most likely. I think the X3 will do real well against the competion. No "luxury" or "entry level luxury" small suv/all activity/multi activity vehicle exists. Liberty not really luxury, Freelander is the closest competitor, but it looks suggests off roader. The X3 if priced right will be a success.