https://www.engineeringnews.co.za

BMW '100% committed' to SA; i3, i8 to debut in SA next year

BMW i3

Photo by Duane Daws

BMW SA MD Bodo Donauer

Photo by Duane Daws

17th October 2013

By: Irma Venter

Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor

  

Font size: - +

BMW South Africa (SA) remained 100% committed to production in South Africa, said MD Bodo Donauer on Tuesday.

Speaking at the Johannesburg International Motor Show, he confirmed that the local arm of the German manufacturer had missed out on an opportunity to possibly produce a second model at its Rosslyn plant, in Pretoria, owing to the recent labour turmoil in the South African automotive industry.

He said BMW SA felt obliged to raise a red flag when this happened, as it was, as “a corporate citizen committed to South Africa”, concerned that the country’s global competitiveness was facing a potential threat.

BMW SA produced the 3 Series for the local and export markets.

Donauer noted that BMW SA remained dedicated to continue production of the 3 Series in South Africa, but that it was important that all stakeholders found solutions, “so as not to miss out on opportunities in years to come. If we [find solutions], the future of the South African automotive industry will be great”.

i-FAMILY COMING TO SA
BMW SA would introduce the i3 city car and the i8 sports car in South Africa in 2014, confirmed communications and public affairs GM Guy Kilfoil.

The i3 electric vehicle is able to accelerate from 0 to 100 in 7.2 seconds, and weighs less than 1 200 kg.

Kilfoil said more than 1 000 South Africans had already expressed an interest in the i3.

The BMW i8 hybrid was “a new generation sports car”.

“It’s no longer a concept, but a series model,” said Kilfoil.

The i8 could speed up from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds. Fuel consumption was stated as 2.5 l/100 km.

Kilfoil said BMW planned to capture significant market share in the electro-mobility market, while also ensuring it did so profitably.

Edited by Creamer Media Reporter

Comments

Showroom

Booyco Electronics
Booyco Electronics

Booyco Electronics, South African pioneer of Proximity Detection Systems, offers safety solutions for underground and surface mining, quarrying,...

VISIT SHOWROOM 
Multotec
Multotec

Multotec, recognised industry leaders in metallurgy and process engineering help mining houses across the world process minerals more efficiently,...

VISIT SHOWROOM 

Latest Multimedia

sponsored by

Magazine round up | 19 April 2024
Magazine round up | 19 April 2024
19th April 2024

Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):

Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format

Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):

All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.

Already a subscriber?

Forgotten your password?

MAGAZINE & ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE

RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA

SUBSCRIBE

CORPORATE PACKAGES

CLICK FOR A QUOTATION







sq:0.08 0.138s - 167pq - 2rq
Subscribe Now