| BMW, the world's largest premium carmaker, will build | | | | Activity Vehicle (SAV), is based on the BMW 3-Series |
| the next-generation X3 mid-size sport utility vehicle in | | | | automobile platform. In 2005, the X3 3.0i won the |
| its U.S. plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, the | | | | Canadian Car of the Year Best New Sport Utility |
| company said on Tuesday. | | | | Vehicle award. |
| "We will expand the production capacity of our U.S. | | | | It was earlier reported that the X3 will not get the |
| plant in Spartanburg in the medium term from the | | | | R6 until the all-new BMW X5 is released this year. |
| current 140,000 to well over 200,000 vehicles per | | | | The X5 will feature the R6 engine amongst other |
| annum," Chief Executive Norbert Reithofer said in a | | | | newer engines. The X3 will receive, however, |
| drafted speech to be delivered at BMW's annual | | | | redesigned monochromatic front and rear fascias to |
| general meeting. Reithofer confirmed the group's | | | | substitute the flat black bumpers. Also, the 2.5i |
| vehicle sales and earnings forecast for this year, | | | | variant will no longer be sold in the U.S., as buyers |
| which foresees an increase in pretax profit adjusted | | | | tended to go more for the 3.0i model. |
| for last year's one-off gain on a Rolls-Royce | | | | Aside from other revolutionary auto parts like BMW |
| exchangeable bond and sales of over 1.4 million units. | | | | brake pads, the new X3 is equipped with a special |
| In mid-March, Reithofer was quoted saying that the | | | | version of the 'M' technik bodykit as standard. The |
| group needs to build up its production volume in | | | | difference being in that the U.S. cars had unpainted |
| Spartanburg to roughly 200,000 units or more in the | | | | wheel arches and door sills. The U.S. spec Sport |
| next two to three years to help hedge against | | | | Package features the 'M' bodykit available in the rest |
| currency fluctuations. In 2006, the plant built just | | | | of the worldwide as a BMW accessory. |
| 105,000 vehicles in Spartanburg last year. Partly as a | | | | Under the hood of the 2007 X3 is the 3.0si engine |
| result, the company suffered adverse forex | | | | which is capable of generating 260 horsepower and |
| headwinds of 666 million euros or $902 million last | | | | 225 torque at a lower rpm. Additionally, the front and |
| year and another 677 million in 2005 given the strong | | | | rear facia are modified, more resembling the X5 SUV. |
| euro. | | | | Other fabulous changes include all-new LED lights and |
| Last year, the German automaker sold 31,291 units | | | | interior upgrades. The available Cold Weather |
| of the X3 in the United States and that number is a | | | | Package will include heated seats in the front and the |
| marginal gain over the 30,769 delivered to purchasers | | | | rear. Adaptive headlamps and a panoramic sunroof |
| in 2005. Overall, BMW sold 114,000 units of the X3 | | | | are available, as well as upgraded dashboard |
| last year worldwide, a gain of three percent. | | | | components and leather seating. The vehicle is now |
| The X3, which was first introduced to the market in | | | | on sale in the United States. |
| January 2004 and refreshed in September of 2006, is | | | | In regard the next-generation BMW X3, nothing much |
| assembled in Austria by Magna Steyr - a unit of | | | | is known about its features except its place of |
| Canadian car parts giant Magna International. The | | | | production. Spartanburg plant in South Carolina is also |
| compact luxury crossover SUV, also called Sport | | | | building the current E70 BMW X5 is being built. |