The recent R4.2 billion investment in the electrification and digitisation of the production facility in BMW Group Plant Rosslyn is not just a monetary investment, it also shows the trust the BMW Global Group has in Mzansi.
When the BMW 3 Series was produced locally, it was (at the time) the best seller in the global model range for BMW. With the growth of the SUV segment globally, BMW then decided to change the model produced in Mzansi to the SUV X3. Plant Rosslyn first produced the BMW X3 in April 2018, after a R6.2bn investment to prepare it for production after close to 35 years of BMW 3 Series production. The investment – one of the biggest in the local automotive industry at the time – was used to upgrade the plant into one of the world’s most modern production facilities.
The R2 billion recent investment in BMW's Rosslyn Plant for the production of the new X3 is part of a R17 billion investment made by BMW HQ in the South African plant since the 1998 - 2000 period when the 3 Series was produced here. The investment seas the plant able to produce a capacity of up to 77000 units sold to more than 26 countries (these include Belgium, Italy, Great Britain, Spain, France, Mexico, Germany, Australia, African countries, Eastern Europe, Latin America to name a few).
The Rosslyn Plant is part of a massive impact the BMW brand has in Mzansi with 5700 direct jobs created by the brand, 24000 jobs through the retail & supplier network and most impressively, 50 000 indirect jobs created.
Through the Presidential Youth Employment Services (YES), BMW SA has created 2500 youth jobs experiences, 18 BMW retailers have taken youth into their operations. Besides giving the youth experience, BMW SA has an absorption rate of 50% on internally placed candidates from the YES program.
BMW Plant Rosslyn is the only BMW plant that produces the PHEV X3, something Mzansi should be proud off considering the astronomical increase in the adoption of New Energy Vehicles (NEV) globally. This means the plant will be relevant for years to come and shows huge trust in our local economy by BMW HQ. The BMW X3 PHEV 30e is also joined by the X3 40d meaning the plant produces both ICE (Internal combustion engine) and NEVs.
The production of the new X3 locally has resulted in 36 local companies being part of the supplier list. The local suppler highlights include ICE Fuel tanks, plastic exterior parts, axle assembly, headliner, PHEV air-con lines, active grille shutters, wiring harnesses, brake lines and many more parts. This means when people buy the new BMW X3, they are not only buying a proudly South African made product but they are also creating economic sustainability and jobs.
Sustainability is also a success through investment by BMW SA in local skills with a particular target of previously disadvantaged individuals. BMW Group and UNICEF have partnered to bridge the skills gap. The goal of this project is to bridge the gap between schooling and working life by building STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) knowledge amongst educators and learners. 750 educators have been trained in coding and robotics. 90 subject specialists have been trained to support educators at school level. 100 schools have also benefited from the coding and robotics training through trained educators.
So next time you see a BMW X3 PHEV (for now), be proud as a South African because the rest of the world drives a BMW proudly built for the world. STAND UP South Africa.
