To the extent that historical press releases reference BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC as the manufacturer of certain X model vehicles, the referenced vehicles are manufactured in South Carolina with a combination of U.S. origin and imported parts and components.
PressClub USA · Article.
BMW Manufacturing Launches New X5
Tue Mar 23 17:55:01 CET 2010 Press Release
Spartanburg, S.C. – March 23, 2010… More dynamic, efficient, and luxurious than ever, the new BMW X5 continues to strengthen its leading position within the four-wheel drive, premium vehicle segment. The new BMW X5 has a fresh new look and features new engines, drive trains, and thousands of new parts. The associates at BMW Manufacturing have been planning the launch of this new model for over 18 months, which involves nearly 4,000 new parts.
New Model includes 4,000 new parts
Spartanburg, S.C. – March 23, 2010… More dynamic, efficient, and luxurious than ever, the new BMW X5 continues to strengthen its leading position within the four-wheel drive, premium vehicle segment. The new BMW X5 has a fresh new look and features new engines, drive trains, and thousands of new parts. The associates at BMW Manufacturing have been planning the launch of this new model for over 18 months, which involves nearly 4,000 new parts.
Since launching the original BMW X5 in 1999, this new model X5, the
fourth generation, features a completely revised range of engines,
standard eight-speed automatic transmission and innovative driver
assistance systems that ensure the driving pleasure of the new X5
offers even greater fascination. The production launch of this
new model occurred as a digital changeover within Plant Spartanburg,
meaning that production associates learned new vehicle processes
alongside existing processes and parts were seamlessly transferred
into the new model X5. This changeover took place over a single
weekend, with no ramp-down of the 2010 model on March 19 and no
ramp-up of the 2011 model on March 22.
“The new model X5
features exterior design changes including new front and rear bumpers,
new front fenders, new headlights and new tail lights. This
adaptation significantly enhances the presence of the new X5, making
it look fresher and more elegant,” said Bobby Hitt, Department
Manager for Corporate Affairs, BMW Manufacturing Co. “In spite
of significantly improved performance, thanks to BMW
EfficientDynamics, fuel consumption and emission levels are lower by
up to 10%.”
“One of the most significant
changes for our plant was the introduction of a completely new range
of gasoline and diesel engines. Almost every new X5 is equipped with
an eight-speed automatic transmission as standard. Further, each
new drive train offers a new transfer case, new front and rear
differentials, and new drive shafts,” states Craig Westbrook,
BMW Manufacturing’s Project Manager for the New Model X5.
With the addition of BMW ConnectedDrive and new driver assistance systems, several new safety features come standard on the new BMW X5. The Lane Departure Warning feature alerts the driver to unintentional drifting from the roadway by sending a vibration through the steering wheel. Side View cameras integrated into the front of the car allow the driver to see traffic coming from the left or right. Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function ensures that the selected distance from the vehicle ahead is maintained; the system will slow the car down and even come to a complete stop – without the driver ever touching the brake pedal.
BMW Manufacturing Co.
BMW Manufacturing Co. is a subsidiary of
BMW AG in Munich, Germany and is the global producer of the BMW X5
Sports Activity Vehicle and X6 Sports Activity Coupe. In addition to
the South Carolina manufacturing facility, BMW North American
subsidiaries include sales, marketing and financial services
operations in the United States, Canada and throughout Latin America;
and a design firm and technology office in California. For more
information on BMW Manufacturing, visit www.bmwusfactory.com.
The BMW Group
With its three brands – BMW, MINI and
Rolls-Royce – the BMW Group is one of the world’s most
successful premium manufacturers of cars and motorcycles. It operates
internationally with 24 production sites in 13 countries and a global
sales network with representation in more than 140 countries. During
the financial year 2009, the BMW Group sold approximately 1.29 million
cars and more than 87,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax
for 2009 was euro 413 million, revenues totalled euro 50.68 billion.
At 31.December 2009, the BMW Group had a workforce of approximately
96,000 employees. Long-term thinking and responsible action have long
been the foundation of the BMW Group’s success. Striving for
ecological and social sustainability along the entire value-added
chain, taking full responsibility for our products and giving an
unequivocal commitment to preserving resources are prime objectives
firmly embedded in our corporate strategies. For these reasons, the
BMW Group has been sector leader in the Dow Jones Sustainability
Indices for the last five years.
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Journalist note: Information about the BMW Group and its products is available to journalists on-line at the BMW Group PressClub at the following address: www.press.bmwna.com. Additional information, images and video may be found at www.bmwusanews.com. Broadcast quality video footage is available via The NewsMarket at www.thenewsmarket.com.
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