By Otsile Kadiege

BMW Group South Africa’s Rosslyn Plant was the first-ever BMW plant outside of Germany. More than 1.6 million vehicles have been manufactured in Rosslyn to date and exported to more than 40 countries worldwide, including 14 African countries. The Tshwane-based plant manufactured cars like the BMW 1800 SA, 2000 SA, 5 Series, 7 Series, E30 3 Series including the highly sought-after 325iS and the South Africa-only 333i as well as various other 3 Series generations till the F30 generation before switching over to the current-gen X3. The plant also restored the rare 530 MLE (Motorsport Limited Edition).

BMW Rosslyn plant prepares for electrification

The automaker’s local arm is now celebrating their 50^th anniversary in Mzansi. To mark this anniversary, Dr Milan Nedeljković, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG for Production and Chairman of the Board of Management for BMW Group South Africa, today announced the electrification of the plant: “From 2024, we will produce the BMW X3 in South Africa as a plug-in hybrid and export it to the world. To this end, the BMW Group is investing R4.2 billion in the site over five years.”

This secures the future of BMW Group Plant Rosslyn, as well as the livelihoods of more than 20,000 people directly and indirectly employed at BMW Group South Africa’s facilities and within its supply chain. Additionally, it underscores the BMW Group’s role as a key player in the South African automotive industry’s move towards a green economy.

South African youth to benefit from UNICEF and BMW Group association

BMW Group also announced a donation of R30 million to support a United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) programme. The BMW Group and UNICEF will embark on a joint effort targeted at thousands of South African primary and secondary school learners to extend and deepen their knowledge in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.