BMW denies reports of 2nd Chinese plant to build 'F18' 5 Series

The vice-governor of China's Liaoning province where BMW and Brilliance China Auto have a joint venture, has told the country's media that the partners are to build a second car plant.

Construction of the 40,000upa facility, which will double BMW's capacity in the country, is set to start in October, Liu Guagiang has stated. The vice-governor was speaking at an event in Shenyang at which the JV's 100,000th vehicle rolled off the line. The new plant, to be located in the same city, will reportedly double BMW's Chinese capacity.

According to the state news service, xinhuanet.com, the second plant will build the BMW 5 Series. The OEM has made this model at the number one facility since 2003 with a unique long-wheelbase model added in early 2007. The existing plant also assembles the 3 Series sedan.

Guagiang further claimed that the completion date of the plant is expected to be the end of 2009.

It is claimed that Job One in China for the next 5 Series, the codename of which is said to be F18, is scheduled for late 2009. If this is correct, that would mean the current model would be replaced after only six years.

According to the Gasgoo.com portal, BMW Brilliance Auto's chief executive Alfred Rupp confirmed that "expansion work" is planned but would not reveal further details.

When contacted by AutomotiveWorld.com, the product manager for the BMW 5 Series, Daniel Schmidt, stated firmly that the company does not comment on future model codenames or vehicle programmes. Moreover, he refuted the vice governor's claimed statements, calling them "inappropriate" and "not at all correct". Whilst BMW has confirmed that it is phasing out its former 'E' codename series (current 5 Series sedan is E60 but new standard wheelbase 7 Series is F01), when pressed, Schmidt would not comment on the next 5 Series' codename in any way.

Sales of BMW brand cars in mainland China exceeded 49,300 units in 2007, a claimed rise of 25%. In the first six months of 2008, sales totaled 28,766 vehicles, of which 16,196 were locally assembled. The OEM also plans to add a further 30 dealers to the 90 it had at the end of 2007, by the end of this year.