Leaked: BMW to Build 40K X6's In Spartanburg

Washington DC January 16, 2006; The AIADA newsletter reported that according to informed sources, BMW AG is preparing to increase production at its Spartanburg, SC, plant to build as many as 40,000 new X6 crossovers per year, reports Automotive News.

The all-wheel-drive crossover will be based on the X5 crossover and is scheduled to arrive next year and it will likely be priced above $50,000. BMW's supplier of seat, cockpit and door modules for the X5, Faurecia, said it is working "around the clock" to bid on work for the third vehicle. "We're heavily into launch mode" in Spartanburg, Faurecia chief James Orchard said.

Last January, BMW consolidated the plant's two assembly lines to allow for side-by-side production of the X5 and the Z4 roadster, and made room for a future vehicle.

Last year, the plant built 104,632 Z4 and X5 models. At the end of 2005, the plant had capacity to produce up to 160,176 vehicles a year, according to the Harbour Report. BMW already has begun hiring at the plant. This month at least four job fairs are planned in the Spartanburg area.

In 2006, the plant employed 4,500 permanent workers and 500 temporaries.