Windhoek — The BMW Group announced at the end of October that it will invest an additional R2.2 billion at its BMW Plant in Rosslyn near Pretoria. The investment will enable maximum plant capacity to increase from 60,000 to 87,000 units.

The BMW Group history in Africa starts around 1968 when the first vehicles were imported. In 1975, the production plant at Rosslyn was opened, making it the first BMW construction facility outside Germany.

The company was also the first South African car maker to adjust its entire production configuration to begin an export programme in 1994. This was followed, five years later, by a decision to move Rosslyn to a two-shift production model focussed on producing almost three-quarters of its volume for export markets. That decision 10 years ago led to production volumes at Plant Rosslyn increasing by some 220% and export volume by 400%.

BMW South Africa now indirectly employs 42000 people and is Africa's leading exporter of passenger cars year to date. The current investment decision follows in a similar vein and gives a clear message about the BMW Group's ongoing commitment to Africa. Managing Director, Bodo Donauer - "By making an announcement of this magnitude during the worst known crisis the automotive industry has faced in recent times, we not only send a positive message to our staff about the long-term sustainability of BMW South Africa, but also a positive message about the future of South Africa as a whole."