NAFTA

Capacity will increase to 240,000 vehicles by 2012

Spartanburg, USA, 03/10/2008 -- The BMW Group is investing US$ 750 million in an expansion of its Spartanburg plant. The move will raise production capacity from 160,000 to 240,000 units by 2012 and boost the company's total investment in the plant to US$ 4.2 billion. The plant will grow in size by 140,000 m² - or 60 per cent - to 370,000 m², and 500 new jobs will be created on site.

The expansion will also lead to a hike in purchase and export volumes into and out of the NAFTA region, which will contribute considerably to the BMW Group's natural hedging strategy.

Continental is building its first production facility in Costa Rica with the aim of expanding its position in this growth market and getting closer to its customers