BMW has told TopAuto that the X4 range and X3 M Competition will arrive in South Africa a few months after the standard X3.
This is because these models are built at the company’s plant in Spartanburg, United States.
The standard X3 range, excluding the X3 M Competition, is then produced at the BMW plant in Rosslyn, Pretoria.
“All four models are, however, expected to be launched in South Africa in the fourth quarter of this year,” said BMW South Africa.
Building the X3 at Rosslyn
In 2018, BMW invested R6.1 billion into expanding operations at its Rosslyn plant in anticipation of starting production of the X3.
The model accounted for 7% of the company’s sales, it said at the time, and BMW called the move the “X-Era of Plant Rosslyn”.
The investment went into increasing output by around 10%, adding a new 26,000 square metre body shop, and expanding production lines.
In addition, the company built a R73-million training academy that covers 600 square metres and is able to host up to 300 apprentices.
This expansion warranted a visit from President Cyril Ramaphosa and German Chancellor Angela Merkel in February 2020, where they met the students and graduates of the programme.
When vehicle production resumed after the first Covid-19 lockdown subsided, the BMW Rosslyn plant was endorsed by the Gauteng Premier for its adherence to strict health and safety conditions.
This resulted in one of the first vehicle shipments out of South Africa during the pandemic, which consisted of exporting 2,000 X3s.
BMW X4
The new BMW X4 was unveiled in June with an updated design, a new interior, and a more powerful top-end M model.
Outside, the X4 gained new bumpers, slimmer lights, and an exclusive grille design – while the interior adopted the centre console of the current BMW 4 Series.
A 10.25-inch infotainment display with smartphone mirroring is now standard, too, while two specification lines – Base, and M Sport – provide a wide range of features to choose from.
Two engine options are then available in the standard X4 line-up – which produce 110kW and 285kW, respectively – while the range-topping X4 M Competition puts out 375kW and 650Nm.
In addition, a 48-volt mild-hybrid starter generator fitted to certain models add an electric boost of up to 8kW while improving fuel consumption, said BMW.
No South African pricing for the new BMW X4 has been released yet.
Keyword: Why the BMW X4 will arrive in South Africa after the X3