Excitement builds as the fourth-generation BMW X3 is revealed globally in which South Africa will play a major part through BMW’s Rosslyn plant in Gauteng.

The highly anticipated fourth-generation BMW X3, manufactured in South Africa, affirms the BMW Group’s commitment to electrification, the manufacturer says.

The BMW X3 30e xDrive will be produced at the iconic BMW Group Plant Rosslyn for worldwide export. Last year, BMW Group South Africa announced the BMW Group’s R4.2 billion investment in the electrification and digitalisation of the plant.

The infrastructural upgrade represents the largest in the plant’s history. It secures BMW Group Plant Rosslyn’s future as well as the livelihoods of over 20 000 direct and indirect employees.

The fourth generation of the Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) in the premium mid-range vehicle segment will be produced at the BMW Group Plants in Spartanburg (USA), Shenyang (China) and Rosslyn locally.

The success of BMW is founded on its long-term thinking and responsible action. Evidenced in its lead position in electromobility, the BMW Group has already delivered more than two million electrified vehicles to customers globally, including more than one million battery-electric vehicles (BEVs).

In 2023, the BMW brand remained the South African BEV market leader for the year with 57.2% of the BEV premium segment. And in 2024, the BMW Group will have a BEV option in almost all its main segments.

Plant Director at BMW Group Plant Rosslyn, Dr Niklas Fichtmueller, says they are excited and thrilled by the expected debut and start of production later on this year. “This vehicle ensures that BMW Group South Africa is positioned to be a major player in the South African premium car market and underscores the BMW Group’s role as a key player in the local automotive industry’s move towards a green economy.”

• BMW Group Plant Rosslyn’s rich 50-year history makes it a vital component of the BMW Group’s global production network. It has an indelible mark in local automotive production, manufacturing over 1.6 million vehicles, which have been exported. The new BMW X3 is another icon produced in South Africa for the world. Rosslyn’s iconic production portfolio of the past five decades includes the BMW 1800 SA and 2000 SA, and the BMW 5 Series and BMW 7 Series vehicles. BMW 3 Series was manufactured at Plant Rosslyn from 1983 until 2018 before transitioning to the production of the BMW X3.